Enterprise Scholarship Studio
Firefly Forest is one of two Enterprise Scholarship Studios here at Allendale Forge Studios. The scheme was set up with funding from The William Leech Foundation Trust and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to hatch new businesses in Allen Valley and to encourage young entrepreneurs to try out their business ideas.
Potential participants are invited to submit a business plan. The winning submissions receive a rent free studio including all utilities and internet plus business support for one year. The young entrepreneurs have a year to get their business on it’s feet.
In return each entrepreneurial business is required to give two weeks voluntary work to The Allendale Forge Studios and several rota days in the Gift Shop in order to gain work experience dealing with customers, using the credit card machine, the till, record keeping and learning about and talking about other people’s work in the gallery and shop.
Studio 6 – Firefly Forest with Laura Waugh
Firefly Forest offers a variety of woodland and environmental experiences for children and young people. This includes:
- Forest School
- Woodland Crafts
- Sustainable development
- Environmental education
- Green woodwork
Forest School is facilitating groups in woodland settings through activities that engage all their senses and allowing the opportunity for self directed and deep play which maximises learning. The Facilitator focuses on the social and emotional impacts of each child which are affected by building positive relationships based on trust, allowing children take appropriate risks, using tools and fire safely, gaining confidence and social skills, making a connection to the natural environment and learning through reflection.
Firefly Forest offers sessions in sustainable development aimed at Key Stage 2/3 and delivers games, practical activities and discussionswith the emphasis on climate change, relating to solutions including footprinting and energy activities.
Firefly Forest offer willow weaving workshops and using a polelathe and a shave horse Firefly Forest give children an opportunity to work with traditional green woodwork tools to make simple craft items. It is a satisfying process to carve a block of wood using these hands-on methods. We can also facilitate our activities for any events you are holding.
