Oasis Children’s Venture
Connecting young people and nature
Play and spending time in nature are good for us. While the zipline, climbing rock, swings and other play areas in Oasisplay’s Adventure Playground are well used, the natural spaces at the playground are not. Many children and young people who use the Adventure Playground are disconnected from nature because they don’t have access to other safe green spaces in their community. Oasisplay wants to show these children that the natural environment is accessible to them and help instil an enjoyment of nature which they can continue to access as they grow up.
We are pleased to support Oasisplay with a grant of £62,030 for their Environmental Education Programme. The programme will involve 10 to 16-year-olds in Stockwell in hands-on activities in the Adventure Playground, connecting them with nature so they can experience the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based activities.
- Oasisplay has provided innovative and inclusive outdoor play and learning opportunities since 1973.
- More than 200 children will take part in 150 nature club sessions by September 2024.
- Between January and July 2024 24 visits from classes for forest school days.
Adventures in nature
Oasisplay’s Adventure Playground is planted with native flowers, fruit trees and wild areas. The Environmental Education Programme will give children and young people ownership of these garden areas through a new Nature Club after school, on Saturdays and during school holidays. Children will maintain the garden, grow food that they can eat and create wildlife habitats. Young people aged 14 to 16 will become Young Leaders, guiding and supporting younger children in the nature and gardening activities.
To make the most of the playground during the school day, Oasisplay will pilot Forest School days with local primary and special educational needs (SEN) schools. These environmental school days will welcome classes of children to learn about the environment in a practical, hands-on way.
“In accessing hands-on activities through which children and young people will see the fruits of their labour, the programme will instil a life-long understanding of their ability to positively engage with the natural environment. Access to nature also lessens the risk of children developing low self-esteem and poor social competency, helping them to lead happier, healthier lives.”
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