Outdoor/Indoor Learning

However, Resilience isn’t reserved for a select few who naturally adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or other significant sources of stress. Everyone can become more resilient to stress of all kinds.

For that reason, we focus on six key pillars that have been proven to cultivate positive emotion and develop resilience; Gratitude, Empathy , Connection, Mindfulness, Volunteering and Physical Activity.

The RAW Project provides engaging lessons, workshops and activities that have been mapped against curriculum standards. We have created detailed lesson plans and activities that use a range of outdoor and indoor activities to keep children and young people engaged and actively involved in the lesson. Our lesson plans and workshops are not death by powerpoint. Instead, they are packed with activities that are designed to foster interaction, connection and trust. This is the basis for learning.

What we’ve found is that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. You have to be responsive to the needs, dispositions and aspirations of the young people you’re working with.

 Our lesson plans and workshops are centred around …

• Gratitude
• Empathy
• Connection
• Mindfulness
• Physical Activity
• Volunteering  

Practising gratitude is key to your happiness and coping with challenging times.
Research tells us that if you practise gratitude every day, in 21 days your brain begins to scan the world for the positives. In fact, we become 3 times more likely to notice a positive than a negative.

Experiencing regular connections increases our wellbeing and mental health. People who make contact with family and friends at least 3 times per week have the lowest level of depressive symptoms.

Feeling well connected to other people promotes positive mental and physical health, and gives life meaning. Research into human connection suggests that emotional conversations, support, positive vibes and affirmations can all help to enhance our mental health and wellbeing.

Empathy means feeling the emotions of another person. It’s not only an awareness of those emotions, but an understanding. Empathy helps us to relate to others and build the healthy relationships that lead to fulfilling lives. Paying attention to the ever-changing nature of their own thoughts and emotions may help children and young to understand others’ experiences and empathise with others’ emotions and behaviours accordingly.

We believe mindfulness empowers children and young people to connect with themselves and to discover their innate strengths. For children and young people, mindfulness needs to be fun, inspiring & relevant.

For young people to be willing to explore mindfulness, they need to feel safe and free from judgment. Without this, no learning is going to take place.

One of the best places to practice mindfulness is in nature.

Nature is a place of regeneration, resilience, learning, peace and escape. The cycle of nature still carries on despite the latest social media debate or new tik tok trend. Tuning in to the sights and sounds of nature’s steady beat draws a child’s attention to the here and now and helps to reduce stress and worry. We use the outdoors for all our mindfulness lessons.

Making physical activity appealing and accessible to young people was always our number one aim.

The most recent research released by the World Health Organisation states that effort required to take part in physical activity was given as one of the main reasons why young people do not participate in physical activity– it is thought easier to stay indoors and watch television or use computers. Thus, making participation as easy as possible could make the activity more appealing. This might mean locating opportunities for physical activity in schools and offering more appealing activities, such as outdoor activities.

• Our Wellbeing Hike’s promotes a love for the great outdoors to stimulate a mentally and physically healthy lifestyle for children and young people. Our walks will cover a distance between 3-6 miles over mixed terrain and provide opportunity to learn basic map reading skills and ‘reconnect’ with the outside world – we discourage the use of phones for the duration of the event.

Volunteering offers vital help to worthwhile causes, people in need and the wider community. It connects us to our wider community and allows us to help improve the lives of our community members, making our Island a better place to live for everyone.

• We work closely with one of our sponsors, Beach Buddies to provide opportunities for children and young people learn how our health is affected by the environment we live in and how litter can have a major effect on our health and the eco-systems. Taking part in environmental activities, especially outdoors has a profound effect on a person’s wellbeing. Volunteering also adds substance to a young person’s Curriculum vitae and helps them develop a number of essential employability skills.

To find out more how the RAW Project’s Education programme can support mental health, uncover and develop resilience and wellbeing in the classroom, staff room and family home and local community, please get in touch.