Saplings sessions are an intervention to support children who are experiencing mental health challenges. We work with groups for a day a week over at least a half term. The sessions consist of a carefully structured mixture of group and individual challenges, games, nature connection activities and skills sessions. We make sure that there is plenty of opportunity for children to develop their communication, teamwork skills and creativity through child led sessions, and after the first 2 weeks the children take part in the planning of the future sessions.
Children tell us that they feel more confident after the sessions, particularly with making friends, talking to new people and trying new things.
Sessions are structured in a predictable way to help children feel safe during the sessions while also providing lots of space for children to discover and pursue their own interests. We take inspiration from the Forest School approach while recognising that some children need support in adapting to child-led learning.
A typical session would look something like
Group check in – how are you feeling this morning?
Group game, group challenge, individual nature connection activity
Introduce a new skill such as using tools, campfire cooking, shelter building etc.
Child – led learning, play and nature crafts
Reflection, check-in, and planning for next session
Impacts of Saplings groups
Children who took part in projects said it helped with their confidence, friendships, life outside school and concentration at school. Schools reported positive observations in terms of behavior and well-being amongst the children who attended.
‘From what I’ve observed I think they definitely have become more resilient. Most of the children have difficult home lives or suffer a little from low esteem or anxiety and I think the sessions have definitely helped with that. Their class teachers have said they really looked forward to the sessions each week and having that to focus on helped them cope with the day to day stresses that they faced at school or home and be a little more relaxed about things. I think most of them really felt like they were part of a team and had the confidence to try out their own ideas.’
‘Children were buzzing on return; they were very happy to share their experiences and speak about them to the whole class – a major achievement!’
‘They are more confident e.g. They speak more in class, their attitude to learning has improved and they are more helpful around class and with peers.’
If you are interested in bringing a group of up to 12 children to Saplings sessions, please email skelton@tcv.org.uk or call Chris Ensor on 0113 2430815.
