In the weeks leading up to celebrating our 20 years in business, we’re selecting 8 charities / organisations within the Ilkeston and Derbyshire area to receive a cash donation. Each of these wonderful groups offer various services, resources, support and more to the local community and we’re excited to share them with you all.
In addition to our donation, across the next few weeks we’ll be spotlighting each individually so you can learn more about these fantastic organisations, the services they provide, how they plan on using their donation, and how you can also help to support.
Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup
Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup is a community group who provide free and low-cost outdoor sessions for babies and children up to the age of 11 and their families.
Wild Bears strive to be fully inclusive to their community, providing a range of opportunities and activities to partake in. Their passion to provide children with these fantastic outdoor resources, whilst supporting families to improve their physical and mental health.
The group hosts a range of sessions at their allotment site and Pioneer Meadows Nature Reserve, both on Wirksworth Road in Kirk Hallam, which include:
- Parent and Baby Groups
- Preschool Outdoor Sensory and Messy Play
- Home Ed Outdoor Learning & Forest School
- School Holiday Forest School And Woodland Play
- Holiday Club
- Support local primary schools to deliver Forest school (with after school sessions to be introduced)
In addition, they have lots of plans to expand and upskill more volunteers so that they can offer even more sessions / opportunities to the community.
Currently, Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup are in the process of trying to purchase a woodland, so they can become a whole community setting and offer a range of activities to support the whole community through a range of needs. Although this is a long process of fundraising, planning, research, acquisition and development, once they are successful in this venture, they will be able to add lots more value to the local community and beyond.
Another resource they have in the pipeline will be a parent’s support group, in the form of a cuppa and chat to lighten the load by sharing experiences in this challenging parenting journey. They are looking to run a general parent’s support group and a SEND specific support group. This is in the early stages, therefore they’ll need to consult with the local community to establish what the needs are and gather information to be able to signpost them to other support networks when required.
When can I access Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup?
Wild Bears has a range of activities, groups and sessions throughout the year both in and out of term time – meaning lots of opportunities to join in on the fun!
To find out more about the various events across the months, you can see the schedule on their bookings page or follow their social media accounts (listed below).
Where is Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup?
Sessions and events are held across 2 venues in Kirkhallam.
Wirksworth Road Allotments
Wirksworth Road, Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston, DE7 4GL.
Pioneer Meadows Nature Reserve
Wirksworth Road, Ilkeston, Kirk Hallam, DE7 4GE.
Who can attend Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup?
The sessions and events are aimed for babies and children up to the age of 11 and their families.
How can I book onto Wild Bears Forest School & Outdoor Playgroup?
You can book tickets online via the online booking page.
Where can I find out more information?
As a provider of sensory gardens and outdoor sensory equipment, we have been able to witness and acknowledge first hand the wonderful benefits that nature and the outdoors can have on our health and wellbeing. Therefore, we are happy to support such a fantastic resource for young children and families that incorporates the sensory benefits of nature with outdoor learning and exploration, to benefit the younger generation across various needs and abilities.
Stay tuned for our next Sensory Spotlight!
