Save the Children’s Hands on Learning program is proud to be the newest partner of Plantfulness, working together to bring practical skills and the health benefits of gardening to thousands of Australian students.
Plantfulness, a not-for-profit that provides gardening resources and knowledge to charitable organisations to help people enjoy the benefits of gardening, has donated $1,200 worth of tools each to 120 schools running Hands on Learning in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland.
Hands on Learning, a practical in-school program, successfully builds wellbeing, engagement, and attendance by creating opportunities for students to discover their talents and experience success through hands-on projects. Recent research has found that 95% of Hands of Learning participants go on to finish school or secure an apprenticeship or job.
Hands on Learning’s Head of School Education Engagement Cameron Wiseman said:
“We welcome this significant investment into our programs and look forward to seeing what students can create with these new tools.
“From authentic gardening projects at school to landscaping in their local communities, these new tools will provide many hours of enjoyment and productivity for students. Gardening and landscaping not only epitomise the spirit of being ‘hands on’ but can lead to very real career pathways.
“We thank Plantfulness for investing in the education, and ultimately the future, of so many Hands on Learning participants.”
Plantfulness Manager Bonnie Hook said:
"Plantfulness is so proud to be able to work with Save The Children and Hands on Learning on this initiative.
For us, ‘Gardening For Good’ means that we create awareness around the benefits of gardening for mental and physical health. The opportunity to instil this at a young age is what will create lasting impact and facilitate change in how we understand how to support one another's mental health and wellbeing in a way that is accessible to all."
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Jess Brennan on
jessica.brennan@savethechildren.org.au /
0421 334 918 or
media.team@savethechildren.org.au.
NOTES:
- Hands on Learning is a Save the Children Australia program founded by OAM Russell Kerr in 1999. Hands on Learning is now rated a Global Top 100 education innovation and has an impressive alumni of about 20,000 people – whose career and life pathways could have looked very different without it.
- Plantfulness is the charitable arm of AMES Australasia, created to improve the mental and physical health of the community by promoting mindfulness and health through participation in gardening and nature. Plantfulness support charities and community programs by contributing equipment and human resources.