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Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2021 Cripplegate Foundation
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The Friends of Pooles Park’s ‘Naturehood for our Neighbourhood’ Project has blossomed over the years, fostering community connection, environmental stewardship and wellbeing for local children and families. In 2004, Pooles Park Primary School established an environmental education programme to provide regular outdoor learning and address some of the challenges faced by pupils living in nearby high-rise blocks and on the estates without direct access to nature. Since then, the school’s unique green space has evolved into more than just a school garden – it has become an “oasis for wildlife” and a “safe haven” for families. It’s a valuable community hub for hands-on, nature-based learning, with many children and families actively connecting with both plant and animal life.
“It’s not nature and us – we are nature.” ~ Sophia Ioannou, Environmental Lead
Leading the environmental workshops, Sophia Ioannou is passionate about ensuring that every child experiences the natural environment as an integral part of their lives. “They’re part of nature, we’re not detached. It’s not nature and us – we are nature,” she says. Sophia says that given children spend much of their lives at school and many of the pupils do not have gardens at home, the garden offers direct and personal access to the rest of nature on a daily basis.
“That’s the beauty of this project, there are no barriers.” ~ Sophia Ioannou, Environmental Lead
The project welcomes everyone, with the garden accessible to all, including people using mobility aids. Activities are also accessible, practical and there are many different eays to get involved. This helps to break down barriers such as language, background, physical and academic abilities. “Whether the participants are children or adults, there are no physical, spiritual or language barriers whatsoever because there is something for everyone to engage in. What I have found over the years is that children and families from all different backgrounds are really drawn to the garden – it’s like a magnet, it’s welcoming and familiar. Being amongst plants and wildlife as well as growing, harvesting and sharing fresh organic food is enjoyable, intergenerational and connects us all, regardless of language spoken, age or ability”. The garden is accessible for all, including people using mobility aids.
Pooles Park addresses the profound challenge of nature deficit in urban living. Addressing social isolation and loneliness, the project serves as a haven, offering free activities for children and adults from the local and wider communities, and a meeting place for families. “I find that unless there’s a communal space where you can go to meet people, you can feel quite isolated. Most of the families that come to this school live in blocks of flats without gardens at home, so the project provides opportunities to meet other people as well as experience and interact with our natural environment,” says Sophia.
All activities are free of charge for everyone. Having a free activity that’s available locally and in a safe space, attracts people and families – it’s uplifting, and children have a lovely time.”
“The project engages children in environmental education, outdoor nature interaction and physical hands-on activities – from looking after the variety of plants they’ve grown from seed or planted out in the garden to caring for the resident hens – yes, we have fantastic hen monitors too!”
Beyond the physical benefits, the project has profound impacts on mental health and well-being. Sophia says, “In general, having access to green space is so therapeutic and healing for people. As urban dwellers we are exposed to a fast-moving life; where everyone is so busy, where buildings and roads occupy most of the space around us, where there is air and noise pollution…and then you come into this beautiful, living and breathing biodiverse green space. You instantly feel much calmer and often stresses and worries just dissipate. You’re in the present, listening to, feeling, seeing and engaging with the natural environment. The project has such a positive effect on our mental health and well-being. Being out with the rest of nature, helps so much.”
“The project has helped me understand and further my understanding of nature, wildlife and how it can impact our children in the future. How it can help with improving the climate and help to keep wildlife living, such as our bees, helping them to populate.” ~ Family volunteer
Alongside fostering a sense of community, Pooles Park provides opportunities for skills development, and knowledge building. “Many children leave Pooles Park School equipped with knowledge and skills to grow a wide variety of plants, including food,” says Sophia. “They understand the importance of trees for our health, our planet’s health and develop respect for all plants and creatures. Pupils and families, for example, understand the impacts of our changing climate because they have direct contact with the earth through growing a wide variety of plants in the garden. They can see for themselves how the weather affects the plants they are growing.
I just feel that it’s imperative for children to get outside and engage in nature-themed activities and learning. This should be a part of every school’s life.”
“I wish every child could experience what my children have done. I hope the project has many, many years ahead, and the project could be run in every school.” Past Parent at Pooles Park
The funding from Cripplegate Foundation and Islington Council through Community chest has played a pivotal role, enabling Pooles Park to offer a range of additional activities for the school, local and wider communities. A family volunteer said, “I believe this project will continue to flourish and grow to be even more beautiful and will provide so much more for the community! I hope it expands more and more! More people can get involved. I feel further this should continue for many years to come!”
“You’re supporting really small grassroots community projects, making them accessible for the wider public, particularly people in Islington. We just want thank you so much for your support over the years. This project may not have grown or thrived as much as it has without your support.” ~ Sophia Ioannou, Environmental Lead
This Small Charity Week, Cripplegate Foundation will be sharing stories of the incredible small charities we work with in Islington. We invite you to get involved and show your love for small charities this week and beyond. Join us and/or share this story on LinkedIn – use #LoveYourSmallCharity and #SmallCharityWeek so we can find you!
Friends of Pooles Park was an Islington Council Community Chest funded project.
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Cripplegate Ltd is the registered trustee of Cripplegate Foundation
Registered Charity 207499 Cripplegate Foundation Limited
Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2021 Cripplegate Foundation
Cripplegate Ltd is the registered trustee of Cripplegate Foundation
Registered Charity 207499 Cripplegate Foundation Limited
Registered in England and Wales, Company Number 6129936 © 2023 Cripplegate Foundation