Coronavirus has had a major impact on children’s well-being, especially those from low-income families or with limited access to outdoor spaces. Despite growing awareness of the benefits of time spent outdoors, research by the Social & Public Health Sciences Unit at University of Glasgow published in July 2021 showed 63% of respondents reported a decrease in time spent in green spaces after lockdown. Those from lower-incomes backgrounds were less likely to visit green spaces after lockdown.

Whether it’s hunting for bugs, or reading books under a tree, the positive impact of outdoor learning is widely acknowledged. It helps develop happier, healthier, well-rounded students and, in the wake of the pandemic, offers opportunities to replace screen-time with ‘green’ time. This project has been developed in response to the impact of Covid-19 on young people’s mental health, working with schools and community groups where children are less likely to have access to green spaces.