Interested in forest school work and volunteering? We are a well-established not for profit CIC that provides Forest School, birthday parties, after school clubs and 1:1 support for children in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and most recently, Newport in South Wales.
Our sessions take place in local schools or Lincombe Barn Woods, a beautiful ancient woodland in Downend. 65% of the children that attend have an additional need. One third have a disability.
We are always looking for enthusiastic, like-minded people to join our team. As a member of our team you will receive a comprehensive induction, access to further training and ongoing supervision from an experienced member of the management team as well as ongoing support and team skill shares.
If you feel you could be a good fit for our team, please have a look below at what is currently available.
Forest school work or volunteering for Mud Pie Explorers includes creating an inclusive environment across our service. We want people to feel included, valued, and welcome. As a team we strive to become aware of our unconscious biases and minimise their impact on others. We make physical adaptations and provide additional information before someone attends to minimise any anxieties.
We have a strong commitment to the organisation to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in our care. All team members must undergo vetting procedures, complete a DBS check and have 2 adequate references.
We will not accept a CV under any circumstances.
Volunteering
Mud Pie Explorers CIC is a local not for profit company, we celebrated our 10th birthday last year! We have benefitted from the gift of time from volunteers for several years and are very thankful for the impact it has had on the children we support.
This is a 100% outdoor volunteer role.
Empower children to thrive in nature, in all weathers. Learn all about child centred and child led learning. Encourage children to manage risks for themselves and enable them to thrive. You will learn about the benefits of child led learning and a holistic approach to teaching children.
We have campfires and cook foraged and shop brought food. We use hand tools. We climb trees, we fish and play games. We are out in the dark and the rain. We smile and look at the stars. We get crafty with nature and teach children about the world around them.
Most sessions are after school hours and on Saturdays. They take place at Lincombe Barn Woods in Downend and schools across Bristol and South Glos. We particularly need people who can attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
One of our aims is that everyone leaves our sessions happier than when they arrived… obviously the children but also our team members. Come join us… you know you want to!
Essential requirements for the role:
· Can regularly commit to at least two 2 hour sessions a week for 9 months.
· Willing to work outdoors in all weathers while role modelling a positive attitude to the children.
· Willing to let children do as much for themselves as possible.
· Willing to enable children to take their own calculated risks.
· Committed to inclusive practice.
· Committed to the safe guarding and the promotion of the welfare of children.
· Good communication skills.
· The ability to help carry equipment in woodland settings, that will require walking on uneven or slippery surfaces often in unpredictable weather conditions.
· Able to work within the remits of organisational policies and procedures- with special reference to inclusion, health and safety, confidentiality and safeguarding.
· Good time keeping and reliability.
· A friendly, open and approachable manner.
Initial 20 hour training. This includes safeguarding, our ethos, holistic learning, supporting children with additional needs, risk assessments, fire lighting and more.
All roles at Mud Pie Explorers are subject to an enhanced criminal record check and 2 adequate references. We will arrange your DBS check for you.
We are always looking for new volunteers to join the Mud Pies team to support our work with children.
When volunteering with us you will receive a full, comprehensive induction to our ethos as well as safeguarding training, access to skill sharing sessions and supervision.
Volunteering is an unpaid role, though there are members of our current paid team that began as volunteers.