In late 2024, we had the epic news we had been awarded work from Canal River Trust (CRT), funded by the People Postcode Lottery, in order to develop a pilot program of workshops and resources that could be delivered with the aim of enhancing wellbeing, connection to nature and use of canal and riverside spaces.
Project Aims – Engage children (aged 5 – 12 years) and their families, who may be currently disconnected from nature, to develop meaningful knowledge and skills to benefit their physical and mental wellbeing.
The result of the funding has been the development and roll out of Let’s Go Outdoors, a series of workshops aimed at 5 to 12-year-olds and their families/carers as well as a portfolio of downloadable resources to be hosted on the Canal & River Trust website.
The “Let’s Go Outdoors” pilot demonstrably succeeded in fostering stronger family bonds with nature and boosting wellbeing by activating local canal spaces. The evidence-based approach and community engagement have yielded positive outcomes for participants, effectively addressing a crucial need for accessible wellbeing activities.
The feedback from the pilot sessions reflects a clear success in engaging families through creative, mindful, and nature-based activities along the canal.
- Families, including both parents/carers and children, were fully involved in activities such as boat-making, canal-inspired art, storytelling, and mindful walking, with many commenting on the joy of sharing peaceful, focused time together.
- Testimonials highlighted how the sessions facilitated connection—between family members, with nature, and within themselves—encouraging moments of calm, creativity, and emotional openness.
- Canal & River Trust staff noted how well the activities supported being present in the moment and praised the inclusive, warm delivery.
- The canal setting amplified the impact, with several families expressing how it helped them rediscover the space with fresh appreciation.
- Personal transformations were also observed, including in the children of facilitators, who showed emotional growth and joy through participation. The feedback underscores the program’s effectiveness in promoting wellbeing, family bonding, and a deeper connection to the local environment.
As a result of a successful pilot project, we were able support a Canal and River Trust bid for longer term funding to and extended version of this project out over 15 different locations via grant funding from Sport England. “Let’s Go Outdoors” stands poised to make a substantial and lasting contribution to the health, wellbeing and appreciation of our canal environments for children and families across a wider reach.
Community Engagement, Programme Development, Project Management and Reporting for Canal & River Trust
The “Let’s Go Outdoors” initiative has demonstrably succeeded in fostering stronger family bonds with nature and boosting wellbeing by activating local canal spaces. Our evidence-based approach and community engagement have yielded positive outcomes for participants, effectively addressing a crucial need for accessible wellbeing activities. A key strength lies in our commitment to rigorous evaluation, allowing […]
Educator pack
As part of our work for the Canal & River Trust to support the educator team deliver “Lets Go Outdoors” sessions we developed a Educator Pack which the Team at Muddy Publishing worked their magic to glam it up. Here is a sneak peak…
FREE interactive tools for families along the canal side.
As part of the pilot project, funded by People’s Postcode Lottery, we designed wellbeing tools for families which are now live on the Canal & River Trust website, the team at Muddy Publishing did a brilliant job bringing our tools to life, these included: You can access downloads of these here on the Canal & […]
Training Staff at Hatton Locks
This marked a significant milestone as we officially began the “In the Wild Leader” training for the Canal & River Trust staff. It’s been fantastic to see their enthusiasm! We even had the pleasure of joining them for a recent team day, getting everyone actively involved in a Family Wellbeing Session. This hands-on experience was […]
Nottingham Family Wellbeing Sessions
We had a lovely time delivering this family workshop in partnership with The canal and River Trust at the canal side in the middle of the city of Nottingham. It was wonderful to see the families come to take part in our well being activities and to hear that for many it was a new […]
Hatton Family Wellbeing Session
It was great to get on the waterside with families at Hatton Locks, after all the work that goes into development of our programmes actually seeing them in action is an amazing feeling. Thanks to all the families that joined us. Sessions were delivered by Laura Dumbleton-Jones and Miranda de Freston – Directors of HCK, […]