HOP makes your children HAPPY!
So far, 153 children at Bowhill Primary School have taken part in the Happiness Outdoors Project (HOP). And they love it!
There are many more children at Bowhill who want a turn and we want to make that happen.
According to research*, 83% of children are unable to identify a bumblebee, more than half can't identify stinging nettles and one in four don’t know what a badger or a robin looks like.
Other research** has estimated that an alarming 1 in 5 children are likely to have a mental health problem.
HOP started as a way of helping change these things. The aim was to get more children reconnected with nature which can boost self-esteem and happiness whilst learning about the importance of caring for the environment.
What is HOP?
It is an enrichment programme with a mission to get kids outside building dens, cooking over fires, nurturing plants, composting, building with wood, planting trees, juicing apples and much more!
Taking part in these activities helps children learn how to;
- conserve resources by using and repurposing recycled materials and saving seed
- improve soil health by composting, mulching and lasagna layering
- protect biodiversity by planting native plants as food and habitats for local wildlife
These sustainable practices play a crucial role in combatting climate change; slowing global warming by reducing carbon emissions and capturing carbon in soil and plants.
HOP aims to instil a deep appreciation for the environment and foster pro-environmental behaviours.
The activities are carefully planned to help the children learn essential life skills like resilience, co-operation and self-regulation which build positive emotions and help them be more able to cope with change, adversity and uncomfortable feelings.
Working together on projects builds confidence, fosters creativity and helps children feel positive about themselves and school.
In the green areas around the school grounds, working alongside classmates and skilled facilitators, the children have the space and opportunity to share thoughts, worries and feelings in a relaxed and informal space.
With freedom and support, the children have a lot of fun and feel a growing sense of pride and responsibility for their environment.
HOP has been running at Bowhill Primary School for 8 months and 95% of children that have taken part feel happy or happier after being outside!
What children have said about HOP at Bowhill Primary School:
‘I feel calmer.’
'It makes me feel good about myself.’
‘I love being out in nature, it puts me in a good mood for when we go back in.’
‘I feel as good as gold because I planted a seed.’
‘I didn’t realise that nature was for us. I thought it was just for frogs. I’ve learnt that nature is important for the whole world.’
What Bowhill parents think:
‘On the days my daughter was involved in HOP, she was comparably less fatigued and emotional than normal midweek.’
‘HOP makes my child less resistant to go to school in the morning.’
‘HOP puts my child in a much better mood than usual.’
‘They are happier and lighter in themselves.’
‘My child is excited to play in the garden instead of asking for more screen time.’ How can you help?
We are Crowdfunding to enable us to continue with our weekly sessions at Bowhill and to purchase things such as:
- Tarpaulins and paracord for den-building
- Forest craft materials
- Rakes
- Seeds
- Whittling knives
- Bow saw
- Spades
- Wheelbarrows
- Trugs
If we can raise even more, the extra funds will enable us to run more HOP sessions at Bowhill so that we can reach more children and provide them with the opportunity to boost their emotional well-being through connecting with nature.
*Research commissioned by family activity app Hoop and carried out by Pickersgill Consultancy and Planning (PCP).
**NHS England, Mental Health of Children and Young People in England (2023)