Great outdoors is helping Lanarkshire kids to re-engage with school

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Young people in Lanarkshire who struggle to attend school and develop relationships with their peers are being helped back into education and are learning to open up, thanks to a pioneering nature-based project..Since 2020, funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has enabled Barnardo’s Scotland to implement its B-Wild project in eight localities across the country, including Lanarkshire.B-Wild, which allows young people to get out and about in nature and explore what the world has to offer, provides greater attachment to nature and increased self and social awareness.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android More than 800 children and young people aged up to 24 have been supported in order to enjoy therapeutic experiences in the great outdoors.Claire Reid, B-Wild project co-ordinator at Barnardo’s, said: “One of the referral criteria for B-Wild is low or no attendance at school.

We have a lot of young people on the programme who, for a number of reasons, find it difficult to attend school."Also, all participating young people struggle with peer relationships and making friends.

The project offers children, young people and families the chance to benefit from outdoor learning, outdoor play and therapeutic practice in nature.“And the results have been very positive.