BBOWT supports young people with complex autism at Prior's Court
Two West Berkshire charities have joined forces to harness the power of nature.
Prior's Court has been working with the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) to help young people with complex autism connect more with nature.
The project forms part of the nature charity's Engaging with Nature Project, designed to promote mental wellness using a blend of nature therapy, horticultural therapy and expressive arts.
Over the course of 10 weeks, around 20 Prior's Court members have been making bird feeders, participating in nature walks, painting plant pots and observing hedgehogs at its 52-acre site in Hermitage.
Land-based learning specialist at Prior's Court, Wendy Moffatt, said: "This has been a superb project for our young people to be involved in and we are very grateful to BBOWT for reaching out to offer us the chance to take part."
"We have an extensive horticultural learning programme at Prior's Court, with purpose-built facilities," she added.
"We're very aware of the wide-reaching benefits horticulture provides for our young people, from understanding how to care for plants to simply being outdoors in nature.
"This course has deepened our students' and staff's learning and engagement with nature.
"The team from the wildlife trust have been fantastic working with our students and adapting the course to suit their needs."
And she hopes they can collaborate again in the future.
Engaging with Nature project assistant at BBOWT, Clare Hegerty, added: "Having the opportunity to organise the weekly sessions for the young people at Prior's Court, supported by my colleague Jone and the amazing staff at the school, has been genuinely inspiring.
"I've taught autistic children in indoor spaces, which can be overwhelming.
"Witnessing the positive impact that connecting with nature has proves how important nature is to every one of us."