A pilot programme bringing together school children and older people to explore the outdoors has been launched. Radius Housing is working with Northern Ireland Forest Schools Association (NIFSA) and Kylemore Nursery to run an intergenerational forest schools programme from May to June 2023.
Forest Schools is a recognised model of education which takes learning to the outdoors environment, engaging and motivating children through outdoor exercises linked to the curriculum.
The pilot, which is the first in Northern Ireland, brings together children from Kylemore Nursery, Coleraine, their parents and grandparents and older people from Radius’s Independent Living schemes in Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush for a programme of learning and sharing.
The intergenerational work will see the older people tell their stories and memories of outdoor play and learning, as the children undertake their own outdoor activities in forests and green spaces. The aim is to pass on ideas of outdoor creativity and fun to the young people.
The workshops, led by NIFSA and supported by the teachers of Kylemore Nursery (who are accredited in the Forest schools programme) involves 52 children from the nursery. They will each participate in a planting workshop and forest schools workshops at The Cornfield, Ballysally.
As well as the obvious benefits of learning and intergenerational sharing, the programme has clear good relations benefits with different religious and ethnic backgrounds mixing and learning together. Parents, grandparents and children have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with others of different backgrounds and nationalities.
NIFSA has tailored resources for the pilot, linking to the curriculum, in this case KS1. This will include evaluation workbooks to reinforce learning. The hope is that the pilot scheme will allow for a wider programme to be developed for the future.
Speaking at the start of the program, Melanie Rintoul, Senior Communities Officer, Radius Housing, said: “Radius Housing are really excited to be part of this pilot programme. The programme knits together different elements which are key to developing good relations in our communities, linking generations, and using our natural environment.”
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace, said: “The intergenerational element is especially heartwarming to see. It is to be commended that this programme will help children learn how previous generations enjoyed the outdoors and no doubt encourage them to appreciate it for themselves.”
Yvonne Thompson, Scheme Co-ordinator of Rathain Fold in Coleraine, whose residents are participating in the programme, said: “We were delighted to be invited to join with these children and others as our tenants are very actively involved in their local community and schools and welcome the opportunity to interact and pass on our memories of childhood outdoor play and the games we loved – some of which are not played by children any longer.”
The pilot programme was supported by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Housing for All Shared Housing Programme. The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive’s Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society. A total of £3.0 M has been invested in Laurel Hill Gardens and associated five-year Good Relations Plan.