OutLET

An outdoor practitioner is in the woods, wearing a purple hoodie, navy blue snood and navy blue waterproof jacket. They are laughing as someone out of shot hands them a dandelion.

Our #ForestSchoolLeader Training isn’t just a course - it’s a shift in perspective.

Gain an #SCQF leadership qualification and take the step into leading #NatureBasedLearning that creates real impact.

May & Sept cohorts in Lanarkshire. Info ➡️ outlet.scot/train

Image of three women standing the woods, taken from the ground. They are standing in a circle holding hands and pointing their arms upwards. The camera is pointing up through their hands towards the sky. There is sunlight streaming through the tree canopy. A quote from GD Anderson overlays the image, which reads: 'Feminism isn't about making women strong. Women are already strong. It's about changing how the world perceives that strength.'

Education & care are still powered largely by women - and too often underfunded & undervalued.

This isn't about about men vs women. It’s about how we value care.

Imagine systems that properly fund relational, nature-based practice.

Equity benefits everyone - especially young people.

#IWD2026

A close up of some emerging buds on a tree, with blue sky in the background

#Spring is nature's reminder that learning doesn't happen all at once. 

It starts quietly. Underground. Then suddenly...growth.

Tiny changes count.

What #TinyChanges have you seen as spring arrives? We'd love to see your photos in the comments 👇️

#NatureConnection #NatureNoticing

A selection of photos depicting a Wild Wellness day at Lochar Mill Riverside Retreat. Top left - interior of the infra-red sauna, with glass frontage and cosy chairs to relax in. Top middle - the fire pit at Lochar Mill, at night. Top right - a woman sitting on a bench whittling a stick. Middle left - an aerial shot of the cold water pod at Lochar Mill. Middle right - the view across the river from the cold water pod. Bottom - a photo of 5 women sitting together on a log above a river, with their backs to the camera. One is holding up a peace sign and one is making a love heart with her hands.

Delighted to collaborate with NOMA Escapes on an exclusive #WildWellness session.

A #women-led community empowering connection, adventure and belonging - together with us, bringing that energy into nature.

NOMA members, we can’t wait to welcome you.

Interesting? Check them out 👉️ nomaescapes.com

Christine is in the foeground of the left hand side of the photo. She is wearing jeans and her navy blue OutLET jacket, with the OutLET logo on the front. Her curly hair is tied up in a ponytail. She has her right foot on the bottom of a wooden saw-horse, providing support to a person who is using it to saw the end off a length of branch.The other person is wearing a green sports hoodie and jeans, with her hair tied up, holding the saw in her right hand, with her left hand resting on the branch. Christine is laughing while the other person smiles, focusing on the task at hand.

“Mainstream education is designed for ‘mainstream’ young people — and thankfully not all young people are the same.”

Christine shares how becoming a #ForestSchoolLeader changed her life.

Our next #Lanarkshire cohorts starts in May and Sept.

Read more 👉 outlet.scot/blog

Screen grab of an Instagram post from Annie Ridout's account. The post reads: If I were education secretary, I'd put children's sense of safety' at the top of my list, over attendance. I'd prioritise how children feel in school, not just on getting them through the gates. I'd know that when children feel safe, they are more inclined to go to school, and stay there. And that they will also be more relaxed, on arrival, and so receptive to the academic learning. Safety comes from needs being acknowledged. Spacial, sensory, communication, autonomy. I'd bring in more play, more creativity; less tests, less pressure, An option for part-time schooling for children who need it. If I were education secretary, I'd prioritise children's wellbeing. That's the result that matters.

Amidst the recent SEND reform announcements in England, we came across these thoughts shared by Annie Ridout - writer and advocate for wellbeing and neurodivergence.

So we’re curious…

If YOU were Education Secretary, what would you change? 👇

A photo of sunlight streaming through the trees of a woodland. The ground is green and mossy. There is text at the bottom of the photo that reads: 'Wild Wellness Wellbeing Programmes for Organisations and their Staff'

#Spring doesn’t arrive all at once - and neither do we.

Wild Wellness supports teams who need space to pause, breathe and reconnect with energy and creativity. Gentle, nature-based #wellbeing that helps people connect, feel steadier and work sustainably.

DM us to learn more. 🌿

Three images against a dark blue background. The first depicts an OWL Scotland banner flag, at the entrance to the networking event. The second depicts a lantern made of sticks and fabric, with a handpainted blue circle design, and the third shows an array of musical instruments made from sticks and string. There is text next to the images that reads 'OWL Scotland National Networking Event 2026'

Feet up after a brilliant weekend at the OWL Scotland National Networking event in Aberfoyle!

So good to reconnect, share skills (lanterns & woodland instruments!) and learn together.

#OutdoorAndWoodlandLearningScotland #OutdoorLearning #ForestSchool #SharedPractice #Collaboration

A table of nature crafts is set up in the woods. We can see baskets of wool, pine cones and leaves. There are handmade stick and wool decorations hanging from a string above the table. We can see a person in the background using some of materials, and hands reaching into the materials at either side of the photo. Text overlays the photo saying: 60% of adults working in the outdoor sector identify as neurodivergent (compared to UK national average of 15-20%)

Over 60% of #outdoorprofessionals identify as neurodivergent (vs ~15–20% UK average).

The outdoors attracts creative, sensory-aware thinkers - but training & systems don’t always reflect that.

The sector can lead in #neuroaffirming practice.

Does this resonate with you? What helps you thrive?

#ChildrensMentalHealth needs are rising - but services aren’t keeping pace. Long CAMHS waits. Record additional support needs in schools.

This isn’t individual failure. It’s systemic.

Children aren’t broken. The system needs to change. 🌱

Three outdoor practitioners are in the woods - one is balancing on a slack line, being supported by the other two on either side.

Everyone’s journey into #outdoorlearning looks different.

Ready to grow your skills? Our #ForestSchoolLeader course starts in May.

Child-centred. Holistic. Practical.

Not ready to start in May? Why not register your interest for our September cohort!

DM us or visit our website.

#SCQF #FOLA8

A group of 8 adults are sitting on camping chairs in the woods, with a tarpaulin over where they are sitting. Some are visibly chatting, some are doing crafts in their chairs.

Something shifts in the woods.

Teams remember each other.

Humanity returns.

This is not team-building. This is team-remembering.

Wild Wellness staff wellbeing sessions - half-day, full-day and regular programmes available. Contact us to chat about how we can support you to support your team.

🌿 Train as a Forest School Leader with OutLET 🌿

We offer accredited training + bespoke outdoor learning courses. We’re a social enterprise, and our trainers also work with young people every week - so our teaching is grounded in real-life practice and the challenges of today.

Watch to learn more..

🌿 Weekend Nature Challenge 🌿

Can you find:
✔ Something older than you
✔ Something smaller than your thumb
✔ Something that moves
✔ Something you’ve never noticed before

No prizes. No pressure. Just noticing.

We’re taking on the #Kiltwalk in April to raise funds to support delivery of accessible outdoor therapeutic support for the young people that need it the most.

👉️ Walk for us - contact office@outlet.scot
👉️ Make a donation ➡️ www.justgiving.com/team/outlet-...
👉️ Or share to help widen our reach

Do you know a child or young person who is a #YoungCarer?

We have spaces on our new Wild Time Play Breaks programme, funded by Shared Care Scotland and designed to give young carers in #SouthLanarkshire space to play and connect in nature.

Contact office@outlet.scot for info or to make a referral.

An adult and young person are sitting in a hammock together in the woods, both smiling at the camera. The adult has long dark hair and is wearing a light grey hoodie and jeans. The young person has short brown hair, and it wearing a grey jumper and camouflage-print trousers. The adult has her arm around the young person and they are leaning into each other.

Children who were toddlers during the #pandemic missed key years of #play, connection and movement.

What we’re seeing now isn’t just "behaviour” - it’s development shaped by disruption. #OutdoorLearning can help rebuild regulation, trust and curiosity.

How are your “pandemic toddlers” doing?

A group of 10 adults are standing together in the woods, huddled into a photoframe they have made from tree branches and smiling at the camera.

“I wish I’d done this sooner.”

We hear this again and again:

Our training isn’t about perfection. It’s about confidence, clarity and real-world application.

Ready to start your #ForestSchoolLeader journey? Train with us this year, and Be The Change. DM us, or check out www.outlet.scot/train

A young person is in the woods, smiling at the camera. They have long red hair, and wearing a navy blue hoodie. Their face, hair and hands, which they are holding up to the camera, are covered in mud.

New research is highlighting the importance of “dirty play” - hands-in-the-soil, mud-on-your-sleeves #outdoorplay in biodiverse environments.

It supports immune health, #emotionalwellbeing and #natureconnection.

Shout it louder for those at the back - mess is part of how children learn and grow 🌱

A caption overlays a photo of a person lying in a hammock in the woods. The caption is a testimonial from a 'Wild Wellness Participant' and it reads: "I was worried I wouldn't switch off. But I did 100%. And more than that, I felt I was able to connect but also comfortably sit alone. Zero judgement. And I felt like everyone felt the same. That's special."

“I didn’t realise how much I needed this until I stopped.”

#WildWellness isn’t about escaping life - it’s about being supported within it. Sometimes the biggest shift isn’t dramatic. It’s exhaling for the first time in weeks.

Contact us to explore how we could support your employees together.

A young person is peering out from behind a tree and softly smiling. He has brown hair and is wearing a light grey jacket. Only one half of his face is visible as he is patrially hidden by the tree trunk.

🌳#ThisIsMyPlace 🌳

For many young people, nature becomes more than a space - it becomes somewhere they belong.

A place to feel safe, settle, connect and be themselves.

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, we’re thinking about the power of place. What made you feel like you belonged as a child? 👇️

A child is walking through the woods, wearing a red and black jacket with the hood up, colourful shorts and green welly boots. They are walking away from the camera so we cannot see their face. The woodland looks calm and tranquil, with patches of sunlight on the ground, as the sun must be coming through the trees.

When children (or adults, tbh) struggle to regulate, nature helps do the work with them.

No instructions. No pressure. Just space.

#OutdooorsForWellbeing #NatureConnection #OutdoorsForRegulation #OutLETScot

A young person climbing a tree, supported by an OutLET staff member. The young person is holding onto the tree trunk, with one hand holding a branch and the other arm wrapped round the trunk. the OutLET staff member has her hands out in front for support, and is smiling at someone past the camera.

This week is #ChildrenMentalHealthWeek

Wellbeing is shaped every day, by the spaces young people learn in and the adults who support them. Through our training, we help create safe, inclusive environments where young people can thrive. Our next #ForestSchoolLeader course starts May. DM us for info.

Two children are in the woods sharing a tree swing. One is is laughing and looking at the camera, the other is smiling and looking past the camera.

🌱 #ThisIsMyPlace 🌱

Not every young person finds belonging easily. Outdoors, something different happens.
Through shared experiences, quiet moments and play without pressure, groups become 'tribes'.

This #Children’sMentalHealthWeek, we’re celebrating spaces where young people belong.

A brilliant day at #SCVOGathering connecting with the #thirdsector - networking, sharing ideas and learning from inspiring talks.

Great to hear insight from orgs like @sccrcentre.bsky.social and @thepromise.scot

Highlight was an invigorating lunchtime walk with
@walkingscotland.bsky.social!

Two young people are standing in the woods with an OutLET staff member. They are working together to build a structure, by tying a branch to a tree trunk. One young person is holding the branch up at shoulder height, the OutLET staff member is standing across from her, also holding the branch. The other young person has a length of rope and is using it to lash the branch to the tree trunk.

We see it every day. Young people who feel written off and have disengaged - start to show up for the woods, learning that they are capable and trusted. This is what happens when learning meets the right environment.

Could your organisation partner with us to help create more of these moments?

🌱 This Is My Place 🌱

Through children’s voices, we’re reminded why place matters. In nature, children aren’t asked to fit in - they’re given time, trust and space to belong.

This #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, we’re listening.

#ThisIsMyPlace #Belonging #NatureConnection #OutdoorPlay #OutLETScot

A young person wearing a pink and purple winter jacket, an orange woolly hat and flowery welly boots is hanging from a low tree branch and swinging, with her feet clinging to the lower end of the tree. She is smiling and looking at the camera. We can see it is winter time as there is no greenery on any of the trees in the woods behind her.

Things outdoor practitioners say in February: "It'll warm up once we get moving." 🥶

(It does. Eventually.)

#OutdoorLearning #OutdoorPlay #NaturePlay #NatureConnection #ForestSchool #OutdoorsInScotland #ScottishWinter #OutLETScot

A young person standing in what looks like a school outdoor play area. He is wearing a black winter jacket and gloves. We can't tell the colour of the gloves as they are covered in mud. He is looking down at his hands, as he has cupped them together to allow him to gently hold a worm, in amongst all the mud on his gloves.

Reminder to anyone working outdoors with children and young people...

You don't need perfect sessions. You need real ones. The connection matters more than the plan.

#OutdoorLearning #NaturePlay #NatureConnection #ForestSchool #RelationshipBased #NeuroAffirming #ConnectionNotCorrection #OutLETScot

Graphic of OutLET logo, which is a heart made up of different coloured, shapes, with text overlaying it which reads: Our Purpose. We accept all children & young people exactly as they are, recognise their potential and give them outdoor space to play without pressure. At OutLET, we provide a safe, engaging environment that revolutionises the learning experience. This has a particular impact on those who have had chaotic and traumatic life experiences. Through nature and play, we support people to work towards a better emotional and psychological position to cope with the demands of their daily lives, including re-engaging in their educational placement, with tools and strategies to stay regulated and able to thrive. For ALL the young people who attend, OutLET is a safe, fun space where they know they belong.

Hello Bluesky 👋

We’re OutLET.

We support young people through inclusive, alternative ways of learning - creating spaces where they feel safe, understood and able to thrive, using nature as our tool.

Here to share, learn and connect around education, wellbeing and inclusion.

Glad to be here 💛