A new education and outreach programme is launching across Sandwell's green spaces

The programme will provide new and exciting experiences for thousands of Sandwell residents in local parks, green spaces, nature reserves and across Sandwell Valley and Forge Mill farm, with a focus on outdoor learning, the environment, wellbeing, green skills, animal welfare and food.

There will be exciting curriculum-focused, tailored school visits on offer for children and young people, from reception children right up to 18-year-olds in sixth form and college.

Topics will include the journey of food – ‘from welly to belly, the great outdoors challenge, and hands-on helping out on the farm or in the parks and nature reserves. Activities include: make your own pizza, pancakes and butter, scavenger hunts, wild investigations, storytelling, habitat management, data collecting, tree and seed planting, animal care and much more.

It’s more than just school visits with outreach activities and programmes across Sandwell green space, with a focus on wellbeing, with developments also planned for under-fives, older adults, special educational needs and disability (SEND) groups, looked after children and other priority and community groups including Scouts, Guides, youth groups, and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award groups. Councillor Laura Rollins, Sandwell cabinet member for housing and the built environment, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about farming and the great outdoors and we have some fantastic, very knowledgeable staff who will spark the imagination of all those who take part in the programme.

“Many activities will take place on our working farm with lots also planned for parks and open spaces across Sandwell.

“We hope to inspire a generation of children and young people with these engaging and interactive sessions. The programme appeals to a wide range of tastes including budding farmers, outdoor enthusiasts or lovers of nature.”

The education and outreach programme officially launched during half-term week and includes a display of scarecrows that have been hand-crafted by school children.

The scarecrows will be judged on Saturday 3 June with the creators of the winning design rewarded with a class trip to the farm for one of the first sessions of the programme.

For more information about the new education and outreach programme and to find out how it can help your school or group, you can email: learn_well@sandwell.gov.uk.