Outside the Box delivered a series of taster sessions with young families in outlying rural areas in the Scottish Borders. Here is a summary of what we got up to!

It all began last summer, when we were invited to help run some Summer Activity sessions. Along with the families, we had fun exploring the surrounding area, bug hunting, collecting natural resources and trying our hand at environmental art, team games and other activities. The summer holidays can feel very long, especially for folk who are stuck in remote locations without easy transport links. Families also appreciated having a healthy picnic lunch provided by us.

Following on from the summer events, several families said they would like regular activities and meetups over the winter and spring. They had various suggestions for activities – the important thing for them was the chance to meet up with other parents and chat over coffee (and cake!). There is no local café and families who live in outlying areas have little contact with others apart from during the ‘school run’.

Over the weeks we got out for brisk walks in freezing weather, made smoothies, did some campfire cooking, tried aromatherapy and even bellydancing! The first dad to come to a session enjoyed the dancing, as did the head teacher and p6/7 class who joined in!

For more information on this project, contact ruth.n@otbds.org