Children in care and foster families benefit from nature programme
The rustle of leaves, the laughter of children, and the hum of curiosity filled the summer air in Westmeath as, for the second year running, a unique six-week initiative brought young people together to explore, create, and connect.
Led by Tusla’s Midlands Area Based Therapy Team in collaboration with Westmeath Sports Partnership, and supported by funding from Healthy Ireland, The Forest Programme offered children in care and children who foster an opportunity to swap screens for streams and immerse themselves in nature.
Over the course of the programme, children aged 9 to 14 ventured into the great outdoors, guided by a trained Forest School practitioner, the Therapy Team, and social work professionals. Base Camp became their safe haven, a space to return to after tree-climbing adventures, nature treasure hunts, fishing, bug spotting with magnifying glasses, and moments of quiet reflection in hammocks.
From playing musical instruments beneath the branches to building dens and identifying plants, each session encouraged exploration, physical activity, and self-confidence through child-led, play-based learning.
“Every interaction is an intervention,” says Wendy Bates, a Senior Occupational Therapist on the Tusla Midlands Area Based Therapy Team, reflecting the programme’s trauma-informed and sensory-aware approach. “Through the art of doing, the team gained a wealth of information about the children’s unique strengths and areas where therapeutic support could be most beneficial.”
Before each session, careful consideration was given to each child’s strengths, needs, and comfort levels, ensuring they felt safe, supported, and able to take on new challenges.
The outcomes were striking. Children who might not normally attend group activities came week after week. New friendships blossomed. Curiosity flourished, with participants asking questions about the insects, leaves, and mushrooms they discovered. Siblings who often struggled to play together at home were seen sharing moments of connection and joy.
Each week brought new highlights – from discovering a pine marten by the lake, to skipping stones, finding fairy forts, and harvesting berries. Creative projects emerged, including plans for a group flag decorated with each participant’s favourite memories. Snack-and-chat time offered another layer of connection, where stories, laughter, and support were freely exchanged.
Cian Fogarty, Development Officer, Westmeath Sports Partnership, Community Development Section, said, “The primary goal of Westmeath Sports Partnership, under the auspices of Westmeath County Council's Community Department, is to help people who are typically underrepresented in sports or physical activity overcome the barriers they face and facilitate greater opportunities for participation. That’s why it is essential to collaborate closely with local clubs, organizations, and services to achieve our goals and help our communities.
“Partnering with all stakeholders involved in the Forest Programme over the past two summers has been crucial to its success. These collaborations have been invaluable for identifying participants and keeping them engaged. It's been a truly rewarding project for us to be involved with, and it’s been inspiring to see young people through the mediums of nature, activity and play to get moving, learn new skills, and connect with peers of similar backgrounds.”
The success of the Forest Programme lies not only in the activities themselves but in the thinking behind them. Weekly planning calls brought together multidisciplinary perspectives, ensuring every child’s experience was tailored to their needs. Whether it meant running instead of walking to Base Camp, holding a teddy for comfort, or finding the perfect climbing tree, every detail was intentional.
By the final session, the group had achieved far more than climbing hills or spotting wildlife. They had built confidence, developed friendships, embraced new challenges, and experienced the joy of discovery.