Families connect with nature at Stanton Country Park

Health charity Every Cloud ran a Big Green Weekend at Swindon's Stanton Country Park to help young people and families connect with nature.

The charity offers opportunities and facilities to the whole community, to help them engage in creative arts and nature for mental health and well-being.

Anne Billingham from Every Cloud said: “We run regular therapeutic art and craft groups for people referred by GP surgeries and a dementia group, in partnership with Swindon Carers. 

"We also host family craft workshops, a monthly programme of public art and craft workshops and numerous exhibitions.Information for upcoming events can be found via the Every Cloud Facebook page”.

As part of the forest event, Dream Wild Holiday Club, which is run by Swindon Tuition Centre, provided enchanting woodland games for the children to play.

Tori Carless, Head of Outdoor Learning at Swindon Tuition Centre said: “The event was a huge success, with lots of positive comments from parents and children. 

"The children and their families were able to freely access activities within the forest, which included decorating rocks, roasting marshmallows, relaxing in the hammocks and playing on the tyre swings”.

Joanne Vertannes, Head of Business Operations at Swindon Tuition Centre, said: “We were over the moon to offer a free forest activity session for Every Cloud's Big Green Weekend for the second year in a row and support their meaningful cause. 

"A forest environment and ethos for children and young people supports them in developing the strength and resilience needed to cope with their emotions”.

Dream Wild Holiday Club is available to children aged 3-16. It helps empower children and young people by encouraging child-led learning through outdoor play and exploration. 

The club offers sessions between 9am-3pm, but hours can be extended between 8am-6pm if required. Dream Wild also works in partnership with the Swindon HAF programme to offer free spaces to eligible families. 

More information and price details can be found online at www.swindontuitioncentre.co.uk

Dream Wild is also offered as an alternative learning provision for children that have social, emotional and mental health needs. The Dream Wild Outdoor Learning Provision works closely with local schools and the council to embed outdoor learning sessions into young people's education plans.