Inclusivitree

What a fantastic day, delivering a Forest School session at the amazing Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre, to celebrate 20yrs of LS29 Special Needs Support Group. The sun was shining, the people were partying and we met some of the most wonderful kids, teenagers, adults, parents and carers 💚
Please feel free to add any photos taken in the Forest School area, we were too busy having fun to take any!
But we did get some before you all arrived...not a bad day at the office if we do say so ourselves 😂

I'm so pleased to have been awarded this certificate, not going to lie, the course was quite heavy going in places. It has however made me even more aware of barriers to inclusion and how important it is to make Forest School and the outdoors accessible for all. 💚🌳🙌

A beautiful message from Santa. 👌
All behaviour is communication and we need to be very wary of using it as a threat for the big guy to be coming or not coming.
We never want our children to feel they can't communicate their feelings in fear of being labled 'Naughty' and not getting presents at Christmas.
Even Santa gets overwhelmed sometimes!
Let's listen with love and validate all emotions as important 💚

A Mental Health Message From Santa Claus 50% of mental health conditions begin by age 14 - that's why this year, Santa is delivering a reminder to pay attention to children's mental health and look ...

How did you celebrate Diwali yesterday? We made lamps and enjoyed a sensory story about Rama and Sita.
The story of Rama and Sita is celebrated at Diwali, when people light lamps called diyas to symbolize good triumphing over evil.💚🌳

Photos show:
hand on hand support to model clay into a pinch pot lamp.
Beautifully finished, painted and decorated diya lamps with lit candles inside.
Some sensory props from our story, an illustrated picture of Rama and Sita and a Happy Diwali photo with a candle burning brightly.

Me: I've come up with this amazing idea. I've pinned down a skewer so you can feel the line as you cut along it.

Visually impaired student: That's great Jo, but what about my fingers?

Me: Oh crap 🤔 hang on (sawing sound) can you feel the side of the saw on this?

Student: That's better Jo, and I get to keep all my fingers, result! 🙌😄💚

What an amazing day teaming up with Bendrigg Trust to deliver our training on breaking down barriers to accessibility and inclusion.

Just a few of the absolute gems I will take with me from the day:

What is the 'Gold standard' of inclusion?
To treat others how 'I' want to be treated.

What is the 'Platinum standard' of inclusion?
To treat others how 'they' want to be treated.

Don't shy away from asking a person questions about how they want to be treated for fear of saying the wrong thing.

When compassion meets curiosity, we can't go far wrong.

If you assume that I can't then I won't, if you assume that I can then maybe I will 💚🌳

Photos show some fantastic problem solving ideas to various barriers to inclusion.

Communication without words, one handed fire lighting, sawing wood with various visual impairments, experienceing a barrier to proprioception and overcoming problems with dexterity.

All activities set are to support problem solving during training and should never be used to downplay the genuine struggles many people face on a daily basis.

Goodie bags are packed and ready, which is more than I can say for us!😀🛍️

But we can't wait to deliver our training, alongside the amazing Bendrigg Trust, on how to break down boundaries and inspire accessible adventure 💚

Those of you who are coming are in for a real treat 🙌
see you soon🌳🔥🪚🪢🪵

Only one place left, I can't wait to share ideas and information on how we can break down boundaries and adapt tools and activities to promote accessible adventure.💚🌳

Do you want to improve your confidence and make your Forest School, outdoor learning and bushcraft more accessible for disabled people?

Join us on the 29th of October 2024 in Cumbria for a practical and inspiring day which will equip you with practical adaptations, skills and knowledge.

Drawing on the skills of Beyond Bendrigg and Inclusivitree, and supported by Kindling Play and Training. This day is open to all Forest School Practitioners and those interested in outdoor learning and bushcraft.

Tickets are limited to just 16 places and cost £120 per person including all activities, lunch and lots of tea and cake! We will start at 9.30am and be finished by 4.30pm. There is plenty of local accommodation and we can arrange pick up from the local train station (Oxenholme) if needed.

Head to this link for more details and to book your space - https://bookwhen.com/kindlingplayandtraining =ev-s6kc-20241029090000