Volunteers from the largest housing provider in the south west came together to help build a forest school area at St James Primary School in Okehampton this week as part of a drive to encourage outdoor learning and play opportunities for local pupils.

As part of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust’s AWE (Awe, Wonder & Engagement) Projects, twelve volunteers from local housing association LiveWest helped to install a seating area with firepit, mud kitchen, archway and wildflower bed in a dedicated outdoor learning area at the school as well as LiveWest’s supplier Jewsons donating £300 funding as a social value contribution for equipment for the new site.

Alison Knight, community connector at LiveWest, said: ‘Our customers’ wellbeing is important to us. We were delighted to support the installation of the forest school area for children to spend time outdoors providing space for recreation and education opportunities.

‘During the past months of lockdown, many people have taken to engaging with nature but for those without access to green spaces, communal garden areas and shared green spaces have been a blessing. The green areas in our communities are really important to residents, allowing them to socialise outside and enjoy the fresh air.’

The trust’s community team of Derrick Brett, executive director of civic leadership, and Melissa Trudgill, community engagement manager, facilitated the project bringing partners together from the community, the school and the PTFA.

Vicki Norris, member of St James PTFA worked with her PTFA team to raise funds, plan the space and negotiate materials to make the event a success.

Ms Norris helped create the plan for the space and helped to coordinate materials and apply for donations. She said: ‘We had an ambitious plan for transforming the area into a useful and exciting space for the children, but LiveWest volunteers took on the challenge and very successfully achieved all we planned.

‘We couldn’t have done it without their hard work, and the donations we received from them. I can’t wait for the children to start using the space!’

Okehampton Rotary Club and Eden Tree Care were two of the local organisations which contributed to the project.

The Rotary Club provided the shed and log store while Eden Tree Care donated the log seating and woodchip.

Geraldine Carter, associate principal of St James Primary School, said: ‘Having this outdoor learning area will be a fantastic resource for the children where they can grow vegetables, learn about nature in the forest school, play in the mud kitchen and listen to stories in the outdoor seating area.

‘We are so grateful to LiveWest and their team of volunteers for creating these features and more besides.’

DMAT’s AWE project rejuvenates school facilities, with the help of willing teams of staff, governors, older students and the wider community.

It was initially designed as a continuation of the strong community spirit which had been evidenced during lockdown and has seen numerous local businesses pledge their support. The project was most recently extended to cover more DMAT-run schools included Bridestowe Primary and Exbourne Primary.