TCV is Empowering Children in Deprived Areas through Wild Days Out
Exciting news! This year, Wild Days Out is part of the Big Green Give Match Fund, which will run from noon on 22nd April until 29th April 2025. Any online donations made during this time will be doubled, helping double the number of children able to go on a Wild Day Out.
Please check back here for the donation link once the Big Green Give Match Fund goes live!
In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to connect young children – especially those growing up in areas of deprivation – to nature.
The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) have been on a mission to bridge this gap through our “Wild Days Out” programme. Since we launched, over 2,300 children have experienced the joys of a day out in nature. Additionally, TCV has engaged nearly 15,000 schoolchildren in various environmental activities over the past year. From Leeds to London, and Manchester to Merseyside, our events have brought the wonders of nature to schoolchildren across the UK – but we need to do more!
Why Support Matters
According to the Government’s Children’s People and Nature Survey for England, nearly 30% of children growing up in cities around the UK don’t have access to a green space within 15 minutes of their home. Furthermore, children and young people from households with an income below £15k are more likely not to go on school trips (27%) compared to those from households with an income between £15k and under £50k (16%), and those from households with an income of £50k and over (8%).
By providing these enriching experiences, with the support of donations, TCV is helping to inspire the next generation of nature enthusiasts and conservationists. We’re proud to see the positive impact our Wild Days Out programme has on children across the UK, and we’re committed to continuing this important work.
Toby Roberts, Operations Leader at TCV Skelton Grange had this to say:
“Through Wild Days Out, we’re able to offer a really positive experience in the outdoors to children from inner city areas of Leeds, who might not get the experience otherwise. Thanks to the donations we secure, we’re able to offer funded days out to primary schools who wouldn’t normally be in a position to come on one of our education days, and where parents may struggle to contribute financially to trips out. We think that the outdoors offers really valuable opportunities for learning and play – that should be available to everyone. And Wild Days Out helps us to give more young people a chance to enjoy nature.”
A Year of Wild Adventures
Our Wild Days Out have taken place in various locations, including Leeds, Birmingham, Leicester, London, Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, and Scotland. Each event is designed to immerse children in the natural world, offering activities such as:
- Making campfires
- Bug hunts
- Learning about insects and their habitats
- Flower and bird identification
- Planting seeds
- Pond dipping
- Den building
- Toasting marshmallows
Immersive Learning and Personal Growth
Feedback from teachers highlights the transformative impact of these outdoor experiences. Children who are typically quiet in the classroom often gain confidence and come out of their shells when immersed in nature.
One teacher noted,
“One girl who can struggle in the classroom did persevere at the flint and steal fire lighting activity where she normally would give up with tricky activities in class. It was nice to see that she wanted to take charge of something and not give up.”
The benefits of spending time in nature are clear and the teachers we survey report that children are happier, more engaged, and revitalised after a day outdoors. The immersive activities not only teach them about the environment but also help them develop important life skills such as teamwork and perseverance and the experience stays with the children long after the day out has finished.
Further comments we have received:
- “The children were full of enthusiasm and enjoyment for the activities and learning about outdoors.”
- “The children were able to be physically active. Many children typically stay indoors, engaged with technology, and don’t often participate in outdoor activities. It was wonderful to see them enthusiastic about being outside.”
- “Their mental health improved as they engaged with the activities and reflected on nature, rather than their own worries or circumstances.”
- “(The) children developed a deeper connection with wildlife and built a love for conservation.”
- “They were happy, revitalised and invigorated!”
The Importance of Nature for Children’s Wellbeing
In a world where children are increasingly glued to screens, our Wild Days Out provide a much-needed break from technology. The fresh air, physical activity, and green spaces offer a real tonic for children who aren’t usually able to spend much time outdoors.
As one teacher put it,
“Learning about the outdoors, being physically active, and absorbing the green open space is a real tonic for a lot of the children.”
Inspiring a Love for Nature
Our programme also aims to foster a love for nature and conservation. According to the Government’s Children’s People and Nature Survey for England, 91% of children and young people agree that being in nature makes them very happy. Additionally, 83% believe that looking after the environment is important, and 86% want to do more to protect it.
By providing these enriching experiences to children, TCV is helping to inspire the next generation of nature enthusiasts and conversationists, wherever they are growing up.
We’re proud to see the positive impact our Wild Days Out have on children across the UK.
We’re committed to continuing this important work and we thank you for your support!
Keep up to date with the latest news and activities from The Conservation Volunteers by following us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also sign up to receive TCV’s Greenzine newsletter for more ways to get involved.
