On Wednesday, October 8th, members gathered to hear Louise Pears talk to us about “Young People and Horticulture, Growing Self-Esteem”. Louise is a former teacher, and has worked with the charity “Youth Options” for four years. The charity is Hampshire – wide, and helps children and young people from as young as 3 to as grown-up as 26. Official social care ends at 18, leaving many young people with no help or support.
Louise began by telling us the start of Charlie’s story. He is 6 years old and had suffered adverse childhood experiences; he was between care homes and faced imminent expulsion from school. He now works two afternoons a week in the garden of one of the Outdoor Learning Centres run by Youth Options. One of these centres is New Park Farm in the New Forest, which teaches about the rural economy, the local flora and fauna, use of tools and bushcraft (especially popular with young boys) and promotes gardening and cooking skills and care for the local environment.
The young people themselves say that working outdoors makes them calmer and less angry, that they know where to go for help, and that it encourages them to do things they normally wouldn’t. Last year, 10,087 young people were supported; the charity works closely with social services, schools, the Wildlife Trust and Institute of Occupational Health. As for Charlie, after 6 months he changed schools and comes every week to tell how he’s getting on, he has a reduced timetable but is improving – he has learnt how to share – he will fetch a plate of biscuits and share it round!
Bridget Coleman
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