Renaturing Playgrounds for Urban FS

How we're renaturing a Hackney school site

Organisation links
Location address: Essex Outdoors Danbury, Danbury
Chosen age group:

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Free FSA Session Ticket Free
Next date: None - Register your interest
A summary
Come along to this session to find out more about how Hackney Outdoors CIC is supporting the sixth FS principle ("FS takes place in a natural or woodland environment") in London, by improving and renaturing school playgrounds to better support both outdoor education and urban biodiversity. The session will cover: 1. What Hackney Outdoors CIC defines as 'urban forest school' (and why this is not pure Forest School) 2. The main challenges director Nina Lovelace faces running sessions in often tarmac and astroturf spaces, many of which will be common to fellow tarmac-warriors (and worriers!) 3. Nina's experience in raising (and spending!) £16k in 2024 on a Hackney state primary school to renature and create an urban forest school site in a formerly nature depleted playground for 430 kids. She will cover lots of practicalities such as how to build a parent and corporate volunteer team to get things done and how you don't need to be an expert to make a difference. 4. The value of herb gardens and other 'hacks' to maximise Urban Forest School and biodiversity in small school playground spaces. Nina will also lead a Q&A/debate to share ideas and intel between attendees - bring paper and a pen!
send accessibility checklist
1:1 care
2:1 care
Qualified to administer medication
Epilepsy trained
Accessible toilet
Assist with personal care and toileting
Hoist and changing bench
Makaton and PECS trained
Sensory break area
Quiet spaces
Secure environment
Disability communication skills
More information available on request
Contact the Mentor to discuss your specific needs regarding this list item.
Please note:
It is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the the measures provided above. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed.
About your mentors
Hackney Outdoors CIC
Helping Londoners connect with nature
Hackney Outdoors CIC is a community interest company helping urban dwellers of all ages connect with nature, for fun, wellness and resilience. Run by Forest School Leader, student Medical Herbalist and London mum Nina Lovelace, we run after-school urban forest school clubs, holiday clubs, corporate nature wellness activities, corporate nature based volunteering, nature & history walks, nature craft and herbalism sessions, parties and events, and more. We also renature school sites to make them more suitable for high quality nature connection sessions.
Nic Harding
Project's Officer at FSA
As the Project Officer, I'm pleased to be organising the annual Forest School Association Conference. I am appearing as a Mentor on each workshop to give me oversight and allow me to help out on the day, I may not actually be on your workshop.
Learning aims
Aim 1
Hackney Outdoors' definition of Urban Forest School and Nina's thoughts on its main challenges compared to 'pure' Forest School
Aim 3
How to build a team of volunteers and experts to get things done on site
Aim 5
Ideas on how to develop a herb garden in a small urban space, and how this supports biodiversity as well as Urban Forest School activities and experiences
Aim 2
How to raise money to improve poor quality sites for better outdoor education and Urban Forest School
Aim 4
Challenges faced and learnings developed by Hackney Outdoors in both renaturing spaces and running Urban Forest School focusing on William Patten School in Stoke Newington N16
Pricing information
Ticket nameFree FSA Session Ticket
Price£0
InformationEntry - and a herbal tea
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LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Essex Outdoors Danbury, Well Lane, Shepherds Hill, Danbury, Essex, CM3 4AB
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Drinks
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
Free bookings do not require refunds but as places are limited, please cancel if you cannot attend so that your place can be offered to someone else.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.

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