Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust have been busy sending nature inspired home schooling resource packs to over 800 children across South Yorkshire, helping children to connect with wildlife to boost wellbeing in lockdown. The packs included a range of materials including Wildlife Watch magazines, boggart making kits, information booklets, species spotting sheets, nature based craft ideas and colouring sheets.
The packs reached children of all ages from pre-school to 16+, all with the aim to show support and gratitude to hardworking parents and to help children and young people of all ages to play wild, learn wild, get outside and connect with nature.
The Trust want children and young people across Sheffield and Rotherham to reap the lifelong benefits of a wild childhood and to learn to look after their natural world. A research report published by The Wildlife Trust shows that children’s wellbeing increases after they have spent time connecting with nature: increasing their personal wellbeing and health over time and The Trust recognise that in lockdown and during home-schooling this is more important than ever.
Amy Simcox, Head of Engagement at Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust said,
“Parents and caregivers are doing a fantastic job of home-schooling – it’s not easy, and we want to help you as much
as possible by making our resources accessible to you all at home. Whether it inspires you to build a hedgehog shelter, start your own garden bird-watch or discover something new about wildlife with your children, we really hope you find something that sparks their interest and creativity and helps them connect with nature.”
These home schooling resource packs reached so many children in our local area thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery and funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
©-David-Bocking-2019
