Help Little Puddle People's new forest school!

by Helen Wilson in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Help Little Puddle People's new forest school!
We did it
On 8th September 2024 we successfully raised £1,474 with 58 supporters in 42 days

I am setting up a new home for Little Puddle People but I need a little help to get it off the ground!

by Helen Wilson in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom

I'm Helen Wilson, founder of Little Puddle People! I host inspiring forest school and nature play sessions for children, families and educators right from birth. Nurturing a love for nature from day one, as well as nurturing their grown ups to have the support they need. I strongly believe that time outdoors is the best place to be, for our education, our physical and mental health. 

Little puddle people is moving to an even better space to provide a truly enriching and nature based environment for early years education. For it to be the best space for us I need to raise funds to a total of £4,800 this covers the cost of:

 Add in a new gate and adapt some fencing at a cost of £800. 

For us to be able to really make it our Nature Nest and see it change through the seasons I need to apply for a full change of use planning permission at a cost of £600. 

We need to install a composting toilet for attendees to use at a cost of £3,300

If we raise beyond this target the money will go towards creating an all weather shelter. 

We know how important it is for children to be able to access professional, well supported environments and for parents to feel safe and secure in that environment to. 

Help me make Little Puddle People’s new home a magical place for learning.

I have been running Little Puddle People for over 5 years now and recently needed to find a new home for the forest school part of the business. I found the perfect spot in Fulwood, Sheffield. A wonderfully wild field full of grass that sways like waves in the ocean in the breeze, that has big wide views to feed our eyes, a gently sloping hill perfect for rolling down, wild rabbits hop along pathways capturing our awe and wonder, huge old oak trees spread their branches casting shadows on the earth. I just can't wait to welcome you all to this beautiful place to play.

I work with vulnerable children with profound disabilities where their time outdoors accessing nature has incredible value to all aspects of their development through my work with special needs schools and local charities. 

I work with childminders, providing access to safe, affordable, forest school where they can network, learn together and feel supported In an often challenging, lonely and overlooked career. 

Through my Play! Sessions I work with families providing weekly forest school sessions, where they can really experience the changing seasons through their senses, learn to safely forage, to care for the environment and make friends. 

Through my Nature Babies sessions I encourage parents/guardians with infants to get outside, to chat, to educate them and raise their confidence in accessing the outdoors with their baby around subjects such as suitable clothing, weather, mud play, exploring with their mouths and more! We practice mindfulness, cook on the campfire, forage and learn new skills. 

I want to be able to create a special place for the community to access nature, to be supported to try new things, deepen their connection with the outdoors and value the environment, my offering will grow as I settle into the new space. 

If you've been inspired by this idea, been inspired by my work, attended my sessions or would love to in the future I would be incredibly grateful for any donations you may be able to make no matter how small and thank you from my heart. 

Rewards

This project offers rewards in return for your donation. Please select a reward below.

£25 or more

£25 Reward

Donate £25 and attend an online workshop hosted by Helen covering 'Nature Play from birth onwards.' With ideas for parents to professionals. We'll cover the outdoor play basics, from being prepared for adventures in all seasons, to getting out with babies, my top tips and hacks, to managing boundaries and risk taking with toddlers/preschoolers and inspiring ideas to get you all out enjoying and connecting with nature.

£50 or more

9 of 10 claimed

£50 Reward

Donate £50 and receive access to the online workshop and a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children, additional tickets may be purchased) to 'Stories Beneath the Stars' a family friendly storytelling event with campfire supper held at the new site.

£75 or more

£75 Reward

Donate £75 and receive all of the above rewards plus a named item on our art piece onsite. Displaying your name for all to see that you supported the development of the new site.

£100 or more

1 of 10 claimed

£100 Reward

Donate £100 and in addition to all of the rewards above receive a Little Puddle People goody bag featuring hand made, sustainably sourced items to inspire your next adventure!

£250 or more

0 of 7 claimed

£250 Reward

Donate £250 on behalf of your local business and receive all of the above reward benefits and the following: A feature on Little Puddle People's website on 'Our Supporters' page advertising your business Your logo on our banner, displayed on Fulwood Road (during session times) advertising your business to Sheffield! An invitation to our corporate 'Wild Wellbeing' event (for up to 4 staff members, additional tickets purchasable)

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