Wellwoods - What the Parents Say
We could go on and on about how lovely we think our Wellwoods sessions are (and if you ask us to, we absolutely will), but instead, we thought you rather hear from one of our parents.
Wellwoods is a parent-and-child outdoor playgroup that runs weekly in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire for families with children aged 5 and under (older siblings are welcomed along during the school holidays)
This programme is able to take place due to funding from the Community Play Fund, administered by the Thrive Outdoor Team at Inspiring Scotland.
"I played out a lot as a wee girl, fortunate to live in a house that backed onto a local woodland at a time when it was acceptable for children to “go play in the woods”.
Times have changed, I’m the mum now and I play in the woods with my children, I want them to have similar experiences.
Coming along to forest play sessions facilitated by Outlet (and we have been coming along for almost 7 years now) is validating for me, they make me feel like I’m making good choices for my children, and they remind me of the value and importance of spending time outdoors with them.
As a mum I appreciate the physical benefits of outdoor play, how it helps regulate their appetite and sleep patterns, and how it develops coordination and strength. I also understand how important it is to provide opportunities for play outside of school to promote their social skills, interaction, and the ability to negotiate and empathise..
For me, taking my children to Outlet’s forest play sessions helps us to access all of this.
Coming along to the Wellwoods sessions at Greenhead Moss has, however, made me think about outdoor play in another way. It’s made me consider why I feel so strongly about being outside with my kids. The simple answer is that being outside made me happy as a child, and it continues to make me happy now and I want that happiness for them.
Attending Wellwoods sessions is something we have looked forward to, a relaxing shared experience that lifts our moods both during and afterward. It’s stress-free because it provides time to play together without distractions or expectations. Because these sessions are funded I can access a quality parent and child experience without the worry of budgeting for it at a time when the cost of family essentials is soaring.
I’ve also come to realise that I appreciate Outlet play sessions because they allow me to feel safe as I play outside with my children, there is always a subconscious awareness of our vulnerability when we are out on our own, and Wellwoods sessions relieve the stress of that for me.
These sessions could not have been as beneficial as they have been if it wasn’t for the Outlet team who facilitated them. They have cleared and maintained an ever-changing site that lends itself beautifully to outdoor play. For each session, they have provided resources and spaces for children to revisit experiences allowing for the routine and predictability that young children thrive on alongside unique provocations and inspiring play suggestions.
Children, parents, and carers have been sensitively supported and encouraged as they’ve engaged with available experiences. The Outlet team are professional and knowledgeable, they are keen to help the children develop their ideas, allowing them to lead the play while sharing their genuine joy of the natural world with them.
Thank you for these sessions,
Julie. "