Free Forest School

Nature Vibezzz is a charity which offers free environmental education and practical nature conservation programmes, running activity sessions at various sites across Lambeth. The ambition of Nature Vibezzz is to facilitate residents' engagement with and education around: the conservation, protection and improvement of our local environment – in support of sustainable development.

Nature Vibezzz programmes encourage the practical engagement with and appreciation of local green space; including Streatham Common, Knight’s Hill Wood, Portobello Community Garden, Eardley Road Sidings, Tivoli Park and many others. including Streatham Common, Knight’s Hill Wood, Portobello Community Garden (West Norwood) Eardley Road Sidings, Tivoli Park and many others.

The various sites used in the programme offer different ways to engage with the natural environment, for example:

• Portobello Community Garden (approximately 23m x 30m) has lots of potential as a growing space and for community events, but has not been in use for many years. Nature Vibezzz has taken over management of the site and are planning to use the site for certificated training (AQA & NVQ,) teaching children in various subjects such as horticulture, bush craft, woodwork and Forest School.
• Knights Hill Wood is a small yet extremely valuable pocket of woodland in Lambeth, and as such helps to support local wildlife. The site is classed as a Local Site of Importance for Nature Conservation.
• Eardley Road Sidings, located in Streatham South Ward, is a small and totally enclosed wood and nature reserve, making it a safe space for nature-based activities. Effectively an outdoor classroom! The wood contains ash, birch and oak trees – and there are many birds that have been recorded here.

Activities for local schools

Free activity sessions for Lambeth school children from local primary schools. Previously working with Granton Primary School, Woodmansterne Primary School plus Immanuel and St Andrew Church of England Primary School. Normally running Forest School programmes of six sessions.

Their forest school programme is a nationally approved discovery and personal development programme which enables students to develop over the six-week period. Having previously worked with Granton Primary School, Woodmansterne Primary School, Immanuel and St Andrew Church of England Primary School. These sessions are typically offered as a programme of six.

As well as the school programme, Nature Vibezzz offer nature focussed activities for families, the aims of these activity sessions are to;

• Build social contact and co-operation between individuals and within families
• Increase learning, independence and understanding of how to enjoy local nature
• Create a high level of participation among people who do not typically participate in nature-based activities, particularly those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds
• Provide stewardship to the sites and make improvements

Similarly, Nature Vibezzz run regular family day trips to sites in London and further afield, as well as night time moon walks at various sites in South London.

All activities offered are designed to provide a wide range of learning opportunities; students build skills gradually and prioritize learning of Health & Safety Awareness as well of Nature Conservation Awareness.