It’s our vision that all vulnerable children and families across the UK have access to a nature-based therapeutic approach. Working with schools enables more children to receive the right help and support.
Our School Partnerships and Nurture in Nature programmes complement our family support programmes, helping a broader range of families across Kent.
School Partnerships
Dandelion Time’s School Partnership Programme is a collaborative approach designed to help schools provide effective, family-based support for vulnerable children within their own settings.
Through ongoing training and mentoring, school staff work alongside Dandelion Time Case Workers to build skills, confidence and autonomy, enabling schools to deliver practical, therapeutic interventions with families. The programme is rooted in Dandelion Time’s ethos and techniques of hands-on activities, nature, animal care and craft activities.
By strengthening children’s self-esteem, resilience and peer relationships, and supporting families to develop trust, communication and positive connections with school staff and other parents/carers, the programme helps schools create more supportive, connected communities.
Programme highlights:
Nurture in Nature
We also offer a targeted, short-term intervention for children who would benefit from direct therapeutic support.
Our Nurture in Nature Programme offers a gentle, supportive intervention for children aged 7–10 who are experiencing emotional wellbeing challenges, including low self-esteem, poor school attendance, physical or mental health difficulties, or limited access to green spaces. Set within Dandelion Time’s calming natural environment, the programme gives children time away from the classroom routine to slow down, connect with nature and take part in meaningful, hands-on activities that help build resilience, emotional regulation and overall wellbeing.
The programme runs over three weeks, with a two-hour session each week, led by Dandelion Time’s therapeutic staff and supported by trained volunteers. Schools are invited to select up to 12 children who would benefit most from this support, and we ask that two members of school staff attend the sessions to help strengthen positive relationships and build confidence in nurturing approaches.
Each week, children care for animals, explore the natural world, take part in art, music and craft activities using natural materials, and learn about how the land provides food and why caring for nature matters. The sessions encourage responsibility, empathy and calm, while children create items to take home as a lasting reminder of their experience and achievements.
Programme highlights:
Get in touch
We’d love to explore how your school could benefit from working with Dandelion Time. Contact us today to discuss our programmes and find the right approach for your pupils and families.
