Welcome
What are Welcome sessions?
Welcome sessions are fun, hands-on gardening workshops that help schools warmly welcome new arrivals into their school community and support children facing challenges, including those at risk of persistent absence.
The programme began in June 2022 in response to the Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian crises. Each school sets up a gardening club, with child-led sessions guided by the interests of the group. The atmosphere in these small groups allows the children to relax, enjoy gardening and feel calm. Food growing provides a connection to their home countries and helps the children feel that they are putting down roots in England.
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Welcome session (photo credit: Polly Braden) -
Welcome session (photo credit: Polly Braden) -
Welcome session (photo credit: Polly Braden) -
Welcome session (photo credit: Polly Braden)
How can our school get involved in the programme?
If you have a school garden or growing space and are interested in taking part in Welcome sessions, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact our Head of Food Education, Dela Foster, to discuss whether the programme could be a good fit for your school: dela@schoolfoodmatters.org
We are also seeking schools who may be interested in trialling these well-being gardening sessions to help address persistent absence in both primary and secondary settings.
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Want to help support the programme?
We are keen to continue this wonderful work and are currently exploring funding options. If this is something you want to support, then please get in touch with dela@schoolfoodmatters.org
Need help setting up your school garden?
Check out our dedicated gardening resources page.
We’ve had amazing feedback:
“The buddy approach worked really well, particularly as one of the older British girls spoke their native language. We did a lot through modelling and demonstrating. When we were planting seeds in small groups, the sense of calm and delicacy was wonderful.” - teacher
"It feels so good to be outside doing something rather than staying inside all the time at school! I wish we could do this every day!" - primary school child
"All the children responded to the task at hand and were very gentle and careful in the planting. It really was a change of dynamic and time for everyone to focus and relax. They each prepared and planted a row and certainly showed ownership of that work - 'That's my row', 'Those are my radishes'.” – School Food Matters Gardener