Shared Earth Learning seeks support after vandalism
Following theft and vandalism at our outdoor learning space, we are asking the local community for support. We are a charitable co-operative offering outdoor sessions for the learning and wellbeing of children and adults.
Alex Hart “We need funds to repair our polytunnel, and replace the items that have been taken from our site. More importantly, we need to spread the word about what we do here at our site at Vallis Veg. We are a charitable society providing a safe supportive space for children and adults.
We are really sad that our outdoor learning space has been so badly vandalised. It is vital for our forest school and horticulture sessions that we repair and reskin the polytunnel this summer. We’ve set up a fundraiser and we’re asking for help.”
Please visit our Localgiving page to make a donation.
Every penny counts. Thank you!
We hope to get a message out to the people who visit our site when we’re not there, and to the person who slashed our polytunnel, and to whoever stole from us: Please respect this space! Don’t mess with the tools and materials that are so valuable to the people that come to our sessions. Let them and nature have a safe space. And if you want a safe, supported space too please get in touch.
What we do:
We offer outdoor sessions for the learning and wellbeing of children and adults. We believe in connecting people with nature for the benefit of both. We work with people referred to us by the local health centre, schools and colleges, and we’re supported by grants and donations.
Alex Hart is co-director of Shared Earth Learning and has delivered outdoor education in and around Frome since 2011. “Many children who are struggling in schools, or young people who are not in education, training or employment benefit from spending time outdoors in a supportive environment.
Children and adults can be caught in a cycle of low self-esteem, and lack of direction. This can turn into feelings of isolation and resentment which negatively impacts us all; at school, at home, in our community and at work. Being in nature is a great antidote to this.
One of our main focuses is emotional literacy; recognising feelings and knowing how to manage them. In both our child and adult sessions there are many other benefits including a sense of belonging and usefulness, connecting with nature and with other people, and learning new skills.”
There have always been ‘visitors’ to our site at Vallis Veg, but the vandalism is disheartening and saddening, and our work is severely disrupted by the damage. We have to spend time and money fixing and replacing things instead of nurturing a love of nature.”
Volunteer days
Shared Earth Learning hosts volunteer days every second and fourth Saturday of the month at our site. You can also join us to help maintain and develop our outdoor learning space.
Next volunteer dates: 22nd July, 12th August, 26th August. Email us at sharedearthbookings@gmail.com if you would like to sign up to our newsletter, if you have any questions or need directions to our site.
