Green environments reduce levels of depression and anxiety and enhance quality of life. However, access to green space varies depending on socioeconomic background. The most economically deprived families have fewer opportunities to reap the benefits of time spent outdoors and this is contributing to rising levels of mental and physical health problems in young people. These socioeconomic-related inequalities form the bedrock of an unfair society and fuel environmental inequality as well as educational inequality.
For the typical British young person, 1-5% of their time is spent outdoors. Worryingly, 3/4 children now spend less time outside than prisoners (1 hour) and children in low-income or ethnic minority communities have particularly limited access to natural spaces.
Many disadvantaged children don’t have access to gardens and outdoor space is often urbanised and polluted, so instead they spend an average of 20 hours a week online. This ‘extinction of experience’ is resulting in ‘de-natured’ young people suffering physically and mentally.
We are going to change this!
My project will inspire young people to find their spark by inviting disadvantaged and minority youths to take part in outdoor extra-curricular activities. Cut The Mustard Club has a vision to develop the whole child, focusing on their wellbeing, skills and attainment by participating in healthy recreational activities that they could not otherwise afford. Our first project will inspire, educate and nurture through gardening and nature sessions at a beautiful, organic nursery in South Gloucestershire.
CTMC will partner with schools and councils in the South-West to bring groups of children and teenagers to our idyllic setting on a monthly basis. We will focus on exposing young people to, and educating them about, nature through planting trees, sowing seeds, weeding, hoeing and pruning. Our workshops will give children access to plants, organic soil and fresh air, and allow them the freedom to play and explore in the peaceful English countryside. In addition they will develop practical skills such as: gardening, growing food, protecting nature, learning how to re-use and recycle.
We want to ensure there are no barriers so everybody is allowed the chance to have fun, develop new skills, grow in confidence and discover a passion.
