Working with Community Groups

We are passionate about empowering local communities to connect with nature and engage in sustainable living. Our work with community groups is designed to inspire hands-on learning, promote environmental awareness, and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. Whether through outdoor learning sessions, sustainability-themed events, or tailored workshops, we collaborate with diverse groups to create impactful and enjoyable experiences for all ages.

Our activities include forest school-inspired sessions such as species investigations, pond dipping, habitat building, and nature crafts. We also support community events like Hackney Sustainability Day, offering engaging activities that encourage participants to take positive action for the environment. Additionally, we run informal sessions for youth groups, focusing on practical sustainability topics like up-cycling, reusing crafts, and conservation.

From local community walks to workshops and talks with youth clubs we are dedicated to working with community groups to create meaningful and lasting connections to our planet. 

How we work with with community groups

  • Children engaging in outdoor arts and crafts activity in a wooded area, painting leaves and wood with various art supplies around.

    Outdoor Learning

    Outdoor learning or Forest school themed sessions: this may include activities like gardening/planting, species investigations/citizen science, invertebrates hunting, pond dipping, habitat building, den/shelter building, nature craft and art, team games and more

  • Group of people standing indoors, holding up various repurposed T-shirt bags inside a room with a presentation screen in the background.

    Youth Groups

    Sustainability themed informal sessions for older youth groups like Scouts or Guides: they may be around any of the topics that we offer for school, but less formal and more hands-on/practical. Example of activities may include upcycling/reusing craft/art or nature art.

  • A conference or seminar room filled with seated attendees watching a speaker on stage. The stage has a large screen displaying a presentation titled 'Our Journey to Sustainability,' with bullet points and images related to development and solar power. The room has high ceilings, bright lighting, and chairs arranged in rows.

    Talks and workshops

    These can be environmental educations sessions aimed at Primary, Secondary or Adult age groups. We can also cover topics such as gardening and conservation (esp. pollinators).

  • A group of people gathered around a man who appears to be giving a lecture or guide about the daisies in a park or garden. The group includes men and women of various ages, some taking photos or notes, with trees and green grass in the background.

    Community Walks

    We have hosted nature walks all across Hackney for the council and community organisations such as T100 Festival and London National Park City.

  • An outdoor table set up in front of a garden with red flowers, displaying various arts and crafts supplies such as scissors, glue, water bottles, and paper, with a fabric banner partially visible on the front of the table, and residential buildings in the background.

    Events

    We've supported many community events including the Hackney Sustainability Day and community days at Leaside.

  • Children gathered around a water tank, engaged in a water-related activity, with greenery in the background.

    Holiday Clubs

    Our setting at Leaside means we can host Holiday clubs days for your group. Get in Contact with us for more information.

Holiday offer for youth clubs

We offer hybrid days at Leaside similar to our Environmental Education Sessions with Schools

Our combined sessions with Leaside have been designed to create a full day of eco-education and fun activities.

Spend the morning with ecoACTIVE for an environmental education session in either our indoor or outdoor classroom then take to the water with Leaside.

For full day combined sessions we have to capacity to host two groups of 30.

Children and adults preparing to go kayaking on a river, with some kayaks docked along the dock and others being launched into the water, near a multi-story blue and white building with a balcony.

Contact us

A typical Holiday club day at Leaside

Boats moored along a dock with blue and white buildings by a calm river under a clear blue sky.

10am

Arrive at Leaside, our stunning location overlooking Walthamstow Marshes.

A group of school children gathered around a table, engaging in a craft or project activity in a classroom.

10:30am - 12pm

Children go to either our inside or outside classroom for a workshop on Waste and The River Lea

Children playing on a grassy field near a school fence, with some sitting under a shelter and others standing or walking, surrounded by trees.

12pm - 12:30pm

Our lunch in our outside classroom or inside the hall if it’s raining.

Three young girls paddle a blue canoe on a body of water, with colorful houseboats and buildings in the background.

12:30pm - 2pm

Take to The River Lea for a litter pick with the team from Leaside