Green Pathways in Peterborough
The Pitch
Problem statement
The Children’s Commissioner said (2021): “The harsh reality of child and family poverty has always had a devastating impact on the wellbeing and life chances of many children in this country. The recent pandemic has turned what was already a crisis into a tsunami of need.” We want to tackle this need in Peterborough because the situation is particularly serious: 25% of children in Peterborough are living in poverty, compared to 17% nationally. (Child Poverty strategy, IDACI analysis 2020). Young people themselves are concerned about the effects. In 2021, Young Minds found 67% of 2,438 young people believe the pandemic will have a negative long-term effect on their mental health.
Solution
We will support the young people to develop their learning, motivation and skills through creative active-learning activities in local green spaces. We will focus particularly on recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is extensive evidence that being outdoors and connecting with nature has great benefits for physical and mental health, particularly during the pandemic. This includes MIND (eg Ecotherapy Report 2010), RSPB, the Wildlife Trusts and our own research. Typical support activities are: habitat creation, eg a pond or wildflower meadow; creating wildlife homes, eg insect hotels; surveying wildlife; running events; artwork eg murals or wildlife sculptures.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
It is part of Frogife’s ethos to work with the most disadvantaged groups in society. We have a strong track record working with young offenders and we have been working with disadvantaged young people for over 12 years, in Glasgow, Peterborough and more recently in Sussex. As an organisation we have developed high expertise in working with young people, we have good links with related charities and referral organisations, and our staff are really passionate about supporting disadvantaged young people. What’s more the young people love what we do!: “This is the most relaxed I have felt in weeks".
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Staff costs | £700 |
| Equipment | £100 |
| Overheads | £200 |
Beneficiaries
120 people
Expected impact
We will deliver at least 60 sessions in 3 months with activities including wildlife gardening, pond, hibernacula and bog garden creation, bird feeding and identification, wildlife photography, creative activities, e.g. clay modelling, willow weaving, painting and poetry. At least 120 children and young people will benefit, with through 10 weeks' of sessions per group We will improve at least 3 sites for wildlife. The young people will improve their mental and physical health, confidence, social skills, and their knowledge and appreciation of wildlife. We will evaluate this using before and after feedback forms, plus interviews with young people and their carers. We will work with young people who have: Homes in area of Multiple Deprivation, physical or mental disability, mental health issues eg anxiety, Black or Minority Ethnic
Track record
From 2018-2021 we ran 589 sessions in Peterborough, reaching 1022 young people, totalling 903 hours of conservation activities. Through our evaluation over the last year, 66% of young people have seen an increase in confidence and a 41% increase in positivity towards the future. Due to the outdoor focus of our project, we have been able to remain active during the majority of the pandemic, unlike many youth support organisations. The young people say: “It calms me down, I don’t feel confined to a small space” (Sussex). “I really enjoyed digging the pond because it was a good accomplishment” (Sussex). “ It was the highlight of my life, the best thing I have done” (Glasgow) “He never talks at school, at all. The only thing he has ever done is a nod at me” Teacher (P’boro) “…the extra knowledge and real-life experience has helped to improve their self-esteem.” SEN Teacher (P’boro)