A Blooming Future for Green Angels: Award-winning and free environmental training programme hailed a success in South Yorkshire

National land management charity the Land Trust, introduced its award-winning, Green Angels, environmental training programme to adults across South Yorkshire in the autumn, giving them the chance to gain practical skills through hands-on learning.

8 trainees joined the Green Angels course in Environmental Education which was delivered by the Land Trust in partnership with The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). 

The course explores the practicalities of working with children, from lesson planning to risk assessment, and considered environmental education initiatives such as Eco-Schools and Forest School. 

All trainees received DBS certificates and a highlight of the course was working outdoors with children from the local primary school, where trainees made their own lunch over a camp fire and crafted tools and Christmas decorations from logs and twigs.

Since completing the environmental education course many Green Angels trainees have developed their new skills further and are helping with Forest School and family activities with TCV. One trainee has been offered formal training at the local primary school.

In March 11 more trainees began a four week Practical Countryside Conservation course at Kiveton which covers topics such as pruning and tree felling; habitat surveying methods, fencing and wetland management. 

Carolyn Hassall, Green Angels Project Manager, said:

“The Green Angels programme is unique to the Land Trust and is a key part of our commitment towards encouraging use of public open spaces, providing educational opportunities and supporting local economies.

“As well as learning new skills and gaining a Green Angels certificate, trainees can meet new people, enjoy team work and feel the benefits of being more active and achieving something really positive. There are benefits to the wider community too, through working with local schools and the enhancement of local open spaces for all to enjoy.”

Previous Green Angels trainees who attended Land Trust programmes in Liverpool and Chester have gone on to find employment, develop new careers and undertake further, more formal training.