WildPlay creates playful opportunities for children across Herefordshire to explore nature outdoors.

        

I am sure if we all think back to our own childhood’s we have memories of our encounters with nature. I used to spend hours trying to build a rabbit warren for myself only for the mound of earth to cave in when I started getting anywhere! It was amazing what I found on my way though!

It is this sort of childhood encounter that contributes to a life long interest and love of nature. Children’s opportunities to play and explore in nature have been reduced through a variety of physical and social factors, which include fear of traffic and strangers and poor spaces for outdoor play.

Children also tend to spend their time in a different ways. Much of their free time is spent with technological babysitters like computers and television or in after school clubs and holiday play schemes.

This is where WildPlay comes in. We feel that it is important that children have formative, positive experiences with nature in order for them to grow up to be adults with a love for, and wish to care for the natural environment.

               

 

WildPlay offers:

• Environmental play activities for children and families.
  » Click here for further information.

• Environmental play training for adults and young people

           » Click here for further information.

• A WildPlay membership scheme offering access to resources, ideas and inspiration.
  » Click here for further information.

• A ‘Where Wild Things Play’ guide to exploring and playing outdoors.

• The WildPlay Kitbag will give you some ideas of wild activities you can do.
  » Click here for further information.

• Wildlife Watch groups – run by volunteers, supported by Herefordshire Nature Trust, Watch introduces children to nature in their own local communities.

• An activities page on this website also provides plenty of information and ideas for playing in nature.

WildPlay Projects

 

WildPlay Experience!!

‘WildPlay Experience’ is about building a community project which will reconnect, educate and empower adults, families and children; creating self sustaining community groups which will help support the Government’s ideals of the Big Society in small rural communities in Herefordshire- and all that through the medium of PLAY!

 

Working in one community at a time we will train adults in Playwork, offer experience running open access play sessions, work with communities to discover what they want to see in their green spaces. and once training has finished adults will also be supported to work as a group to promote play in their community. We can help them create partnerships and possibly gain funding to continue on their own.

 

Our vision is to see communities using their parks and green spaces more regularly, whether it be children playing together, groups of families having BBQ’s in the summer and having a big game of Rounders afterwards, or grandparents organising a playful walk to show the younger generation all their old secret places to play. As well as all this we will be enjoying our usual Nature Play Rangers fun and games in a green space near you. We will be exploring, investigating and interacting with wildlife and the natural world on your doorsteps!

 

         

     

 

The next two communities we are working with are Hereford and Ledbury so keep your eyes peeled for our posters and green hoodies! All sessions will be advertised on our website so check that for more information about what we are up to. Whats on??

 

If you are an ADULT currently out of work and interested in working with  children in your community we can offer FREE Level 2 Playwork Training (Take 5 for Play), a CRB check, practical experience working with children outdoors, as well as support developing a sustainable community play group.

 

We have tried to contact as many COMMUNITY GROUPS and influential people as we can, but someone will always slip through the net… If you feel that there is an opportunity to work in partnership please contact us so we can work out how we can work together.

 

For more information contact Jo Dainty for more information on 01432 356872 or email: wildplay@herefordshirewt.co.uk

 

WildPlay Rangers

The WildPlay project is continuing to work with Marches Housing Association to make sure that children on housing estates, particularly in North Herefordshire, get the chance to engage with the natural environment. The WildPlay Rangers run activities where the children live to help them discover the nature on their doorsteps. Play sessions this year will be held in the June half term, the Summer holidays and the October half term!

                           

             

Where Wild Things Play

Our generous funding from Heritage Lottery finished in Spring 08 but fear

not, you can still:

• Get hold of your copy of Where Wild Things Play; Explore! A guide to places to play and activity ideas. Click here to download a copy or call 01432 356872 to get one sent in the post.

• Go exploring with one of our family activity nature trail sheets.
  » Click here for more information.

During the 3 year project 3995 of you attended events, meandering in meadows, wandering in woodlands and roaming beside rivers and over 4000 of you took part in our nature trails!!!

Wildlife Watch

WildPlay staff can help advise and guide you in setting up your own community nature group for children.

» Click here for information on Watch.

WildPlay membership

Is currently under restructure....

Contact Katrina Preston on 01432 356872 or email k.preston@herefordshirewt.co.uk

» Click here for further information.