Members of the local community with skills, knowledge and experience in gardening, wildlife and the outdoors have been regularly volunteering in weekly enrichment sessions, developing the school grounds with children by planting wildflowers, creating wildlife habitats and sowing seeds, sharing their enthusiasm and interest with the children. Volunteers have found sessions ‘life-affirming’ and ‘rewarding’ and they feel privileged to see ‘how naturally children connect with nature and how they respond with enthusiasm, curiosity and creativity to the activities. Activities leveraged the skills of community members and introduced them to new ones. Community members were exceptionally positive about the Community Grounds, Maintenance Days, keen to attend future events, feeling a sense of belonging and purpose working together and making new friendships. Community members took part in forest school activities provided by the company at Ladysmith Junior School summer fair, with families trying new activities and making connections with others. Community links have been made within Exeter; food harvested from Bowhill Primary School grounds has been given to the local food hub to be shared with local residents. Resources have been shared within the community; trees have been donated to use to develop the school grounds at both schools, with the donor feeling valued and providing them with a sense of purpose. Excess seeds, plants and produce have been made available for community members at both schools; strengthening community links.252 hours of nature connection have been provided to 510 children aged between 7-11 years. HOP sessions have also motivated children to spend more time outdoors and connect with nature at home with one child ‘excited to play in the garden instead of asking for more screen time.’ Some families have been encouraged to use nature as a means of coping with anxieties and stress.

Consultation with stakeholders Throughout the year, the company has gathered sessional and half-termly feedback (via verbal and written questionnaires) from project participants, their parents and class teachers which gives the company a strong understanding of the impact of the project and means it can adjust project delivery to better meet the needs of participants, ensuring outcomes are more effectively delivered to the beneficiary group. Feedback provides important insights into participant’s needs, allowing the company to reflect and make informed adjustments to current projects and to integrate these insights into the planning of future initiatives. In response to feedback, excavation areas have been created and a firepit and forest school area has been developed, timings of project delivery were altered and participant groupings were amended. Feedback is shared with the partnering schools, funders and community partners. Project evaluation informs the company’s strategy and supports the development of new delivery models. Volunteers are regularly consulted by email, WhatsApp and at regular meetings and they continue to contribute to the strategy and management of the company as well as discussing ideas for session content and development and use of the green spaces. Annual feedback questionnaires from volunteers help the company reflect on volunteer engagement and make adjustments to help make this experience as positive, rewarding and sustainable as possible. School partners are regularly consulted via email and at meetings regarding specifics of project delivery and the use and development of school grounds, resulting in the construction of vegetable beds, planting of trees, willow fences and the building of forest school equipment. Social media and weekly newsletters are used to keep the community updated about sessions and events allowing engagement and information sharing beyond immediate reach.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration