Accessible outdoor programmes run in partnership with voluntary, community, faith and social enterprises can build confidence, strengthen families, enhance early childhood development, and foster a fairer, greener future where people and nature thrive together
Groundwork – Laura Bennett, Programmes Coordinator
Groundwork takes practical action to create a fair and green future in which people, places, and nature thrive. Our work highlights the intersection of poverty, wellbeing and the environment. We are passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny, and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances.
We support local communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience as this is vital if we are to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives.
This includes our work to ensure that all children have the opportunity to play, explore and thrive in safe outdoor spaces.
Groundwork’s Wellies in the Woods programme is an example of this, an initiative that brings outdoor play and learning to young children and their families in communities in need of extra provision across the UK. Through storybook-inspired sessions in local parks, woods and outdoor spaces, the programme helps children to build their confidence, improve early development and form a lasting connection and appreciation with nature, alongside improving literacy skills and encouraging reading.
Home grown is an online course to develop the skills to grow fruit and vegetables - which is not only a valuable life skill, but incredibly beneficial to physical health and well-being. People across our communities are facing rising living costs – food poverty is on the increase and there is an urgent need to respond to the climate crisis.
Grow It, Cook It, Share It running in some locations focuses on learning more about where our food comes from, what’s in season, how to grow food alongside savvy shopper tips and recipe ideas. It’s geared around preparing and cooking low-cost, nutritious meals that families can enjoy eating together.
Programmes like Wellies in the Woods, Home Grown and Grow It Cook It Share It aren’t just outdoor sessions - they build confidence, strengthen parent‑child relationships, boost skills, and foster community belonging.