Growing a community
Growing confidence and community
The Silk Wood Community Planting Project has always been about more than simply planting trees. At its heart, the project is about people, partnership, and creating opportunities for everyone to connect with nature in meaningful ways.
We work closely with the groups who visit the woodland to ensure the project supports their needs while giving them the chance to make a lasting contribution to the landscape they have helped restore. One example of this collaboration is our Community Woodland Work Experience Programme, developed in partnership with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.
Learning through nature
This year, three classes from SGS College have been visiting the community woodland as part of their work experience placement. Around 30 students from the college’s Chase and Foundation courses (programmes designed to support young people with additional needs in developing skills for independent living and employment) have taken part.
Students visited weekly over periods ranging from four to seven weeks, becoming actively involved in every aspect of work taking place within the project.
Through hands-on experiences in the woodland, learners have been building confidence, developing practical skills, and discovering the value of teamwork and outdoor learning. Our volunteers have played a vital role in supporting students throughout their visits, helping them engage with activities, explore the woodland, and work safely in a professional environment.
The opportunity to work alongside experienced volunteers in a real-world setting has proven incredibly valuable for the students, allowing them to gain both practical experience and personal confidence.
Activities in the woodland
During their placements, students took part in a wide range of woodland activities, including:
- Tree planting
- Learning about ancient woodland ecosystems
- Tree care and maintenance, including mulching, weeding, and checking tree guards
- Wood processing, including sawing and splitting logs and making kindling at the community shelter
- Guided walks exploring why woodlands are important for wildlife, climate, and wellbeing
- Safe tool use and practical woodland skills
- Celebration events where students shared what they had learned and celebrated their achievements
Each activity helped students connect with nature while developing practical skills that can support future employment and independent living.
Student reflections
The impact of the programme is perhaps best captured in the words of the students themselves:
“I just like being outside in nature.”
“I enjoyed learning how to plant and look after small trees.”
“It’s been a good thing to give back to the community.”
By combining conservation work with hands-on learning experiences, the project is helping to grow not only a woodland for the future, but also confidence, skills, and community connections for the people involved today.
