A CHARITY project which helps children who are struggling to attend school get back into education in Clacks has been extended for another year.

B-Wild, run by Barnardo’s Scotland, takes young people who encounter difficulties in going to school and developing relationships with their peers and sends them out in nature to explore what the world has to offer.

Running since 2020 across Clacks and 7 other localities, the project aims to increase attachment to nature and self and social awareness.

So far, more than 800 children and young people aged between one and 24 have benefitted from the project.

B-Wild was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and was initially set to terminate at the end of this month, but has now been extended to 2025.

Claire Reid, B-Wild project coordinator at Barnardo’s, said: “We have a lot of young people on the programme that, for a number of reasons, find it difficult to attend school.

“The project offers children, young people and families the chance to benefit from outdoor learning, outdoor play and therapeutic practice in nature.

“And the results have been very positive indeed.

“Many of the young people attending B-Wild sessions have bonded and made friends with others on the programme.

“Of course, in this process, they have developed a stronger connection to nature and a desire to protect it – something that is more important than ever.”

B-Wild takes place in Clackmannanshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Falkirk, Inverclyde, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire, with Fife set to come on board later this year.

Caroline Clark, National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, added: “It is wonderful to see the success of the Barnardo’s B-Wild project and to hear first-hand accounts from project workers and participants on the powerful, positive impact it is already having in young lives.

“Supporting greater inclusion, diversity, access and participation in heritage is one of the four investment principles.

“This project is a great example of why that is important. It is thanks to National Lottery players that we can support this work.”