Tuppenny Barn is an organic smallholding and charity passionate about delivering educational opportunities for children, young people and the wider community in our outdoor classroom. Working with horticulture we help foster physical health and mental wellbeing through our education and green therapy programmes. With a focus on supporting those facing disadvantage in our community, all activities at Tuppenny Barn are delivered in line with our ethos of sustainability – we value having a positive impact on our local and wider environment.
Our Sunflowers Wellbeing project provides young carers, and young people who may be facing additional challenges[1], with opportunities to engage in interactive activities delivered in our outdoor classroom. With a focus on emotional wellbeing, the project creates a safe space for children to think about, and focus on themselves. They have the opportunity to engage with horticulture and wildlife through activities such as cooking, crafting, drawing, planting and cropping away from any pressures in their home life.
Young carers, and young people who provide caring support at home, have been enormously impacted by the pandemic. Time off school during lockdowns has led to increased isolation, a lack of social contact and support from peers, and for some this has led to disengagement from school. Our project provides these young people with positive outdoor learning opportunities to support wellbeing and mental health. During a breathing exercise, children were asked if they have busy minds, ‘It feels like I have a motorway in my head, after the breathing it was like water had washed the cars away’
Thank you to The Pixel Fund for supporting our Sunflowers Wellbeing group and enabling us to provide opportunities for young carers at a crucial time in their lives.
[1] Not all young people we work with identify as ‘young carers’ but do have a level of caring responsibility at home.