An organisation in Leicester has received vital funds from the Wesleyan Foundation, enabling them to support children with mental health difficulties.
Enstruct Training, a charity providing forest activities for children, received a grant of £9,180 allowing them to enrich the lives of young people with engaging and alternative learning programmes.
The Wesleyan Foundation is managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation; grants are awarded through a network of nine Community Foundations which includes Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation.
Enstruct Training works with young people who have faced difficulties in other educational settings to offer a range of alternative learning programmes, including accredited courses in construction skills and environment and conservation skills, as well as forest school and other outdoor learning programmes. The charity aims to adopt an approach tailored to each learner’s specific needs.
Bethan Painter, Environmental Department Manager at Enstruct, said:
“Without this grant the project simply couldn’t have happened.
“Although school staff care deeply about their pupils’ mental wellbeing and understand the benefits of forest activities, they often lack the necessary budget to provide programmes.
“There was, at the time of the project, no single-referral Forest School provision in Leicestershire and this funding has enabled schools to send the pupils who would benefit most.”
One person seeing the benefits first-hand is Jane Gadsby, Headteacher at Stokes Wood Primary School, she said:
“When I was first approached about sending some children to the Forest School activity programme, it seemed almost too good to be true.
“They were willing to take some of our most vulnerable children, pick them up, deliver the sessions and all fully funded! I immediately took up the opportunity.
“These projects are essential. We’ve seen improved confidence, self- esteem, motor skills, communication and social skills in the children.”
One parent, Keli, said:
“My children enjoyed their Forest Experience a lot. Their confidence and independence has improved.
“I’m very grateful they had the chance to take part in such a unique experience and I would definitely recommend to other families.”
The Wesleyan Foundation is managed by the Heart of England Community Foundation; grants are awarded through a network of nine Community Foundations which includes Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation.
Katy Green, Chief Executive of Leicestershire & Rutland Community Foundation, said:
“The Wesleyan grants have provided a great opportunity for groups and charities to make a difference to local communities.”
Caroline Hill, Chief People & Strategy Officer at Wesleyan, said:
“Enstruct provides really valuable support to the education and personal development of young people across the East Midlands, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to hear of the positive impact that its forest school programmes have had on those who have taken part.”
For more information about the Wesleyan Foundation click here.