Helping families jump into nature
At Groundwork, we believe all children deserve the chance to play, explore and thrive in safe outdoor spaces – no matter where they live.
Our Wellies in the Woods initiative does just that, providing outdoor learning and play opportunities that bring together the adventure of nature with the magic of storytelling. Aimed at families in need of extra provision, through story book-inspired sessions groups explore local parks, woods and green spaces, getting to learn more about the environment.
Run all year round – come rain or shine – the eight-week sessions aim to empower parents and guardians to take the learning home through low-to no-cost activities which strengthen family bonds, relationships with the natural world and literacy development. One activity instructs children to decorate mouse masks inspired by well-known characters in ‘The Gruffalo’ with foraged twigs, feathers and leaves – demonstrating how creativity and learning can (quite literally) be entwined with nature.
Wellies in the Woods promotes the importance of equitable access to the environment, where children and young people grow up with a strong, lasting nature connection; this is something that we feel, as a charity that grows greener communities, is vital to grow the leaders of the future from a young age.
Hannah Smith, Groundwork’s Community and Education Team Manager in the East of England, developed the Wellies in the Woods concept in the region in 2016. Since 2025, following funding from corporate supporters, Groundwork has been able to expand the programme’s reach across the UK with 100 families taking part in a Wellies in the Woods session. With continued support, we hope to bring the programme to even more families in the years ahead.
Speaking of the programme, Hannah said: "Wellies in the Woods is all about helping families feel healthier, happier and more connected to each other and to the natural world around them. The programme is designed to help families explore their local green spaces, build confidence outside and discover the joy of imaginative play in nature.”
Why is this important? Despite the value of equitable access to outdoor provision, many families across the UK face unequal access to play, with some areas having 900 children per playground.
We want to remove the barriers to outdoor play so that children and young people grow up enjoying the outdoors and respecting the environment. Promoting equitable access to outdoor play will reduce the heath, wellbeing and educational inequalities that have a negative impact on the attainment and life chances of young people.
The positive feedback we receive from families also echoes this, with 98% of attendees now report being confident to be active and play with their children outdoors. For the whole family, the outcomes of Wellies in the Woods sessions are felt widely as shown by a change in their daily habits and more quality time being spent together through reading, insect identification and even planned camping trips!
One beneficiary, a father named Matthew, spoke of his hopes for his son Samuel as he grows up, thanks to Wellies in the Woods fostering a love and appreciation for nature.
“Wellies in the Woods showed me that there was so much more that we as a family could do to encourage outdoor fun and play. With a little thought and creativity, it is possible to create experiences and activities that are great fun and packed with opportunities to learn.
“With Samuel, I have felt the desire to plant seeds within him that would grow into that very same love of nature and the outdoors that I have always had. We now often take a book on our walks and there are few experiences as magical as sitting on a log in a wooded glade, reading together.”
Be sure to keep an eye out on our socials between April – May, where Groundwork is launching a Wellies in the Woods fundraising appeal to ensure more children are given a better start in life. A chance to play, explore and thrive.
If you’d like to help more children benefit from programmes like Wellies in the Woods, please consider supporting the appeal by sharing or donating. More details here.
Follow Groundwork to learn more about how we are creating greener jobs, homes and communities.
More from Groundwork