An educational programme encouraging outside learning has helped 45,000 young Londoners embrace green spaces during their recovery from the pandemic.
Staff from the City of London Corporation delivered the Green Spaces, Learning. A nature scheme run for school children with special educational needs and disabilities, vulnerable youngsters, and the children of key workers ran during three national lockdowns from Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath and West Ham Park.
It helped children with a needed confidence boost by exploring the natural world through den building, fire lighting and orienteering. The City Corporation protects 11,000 acres of green space in the capital, including Epping Forest
Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Open Spaces and City Gardens Committee, Oliver Sells QC, said: “This programme has been a huge success and given us some excellent insight into how children across the capital can be supported.
“Being outdoors has huge benefits to our mental and physical health. We have been working closely with families from more deprived areas who have limited access to green spaces and helping them to get involved in environmental learning.
“We will now look to develop the programme and help even more families access nature and gain key life skills.”
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