Our "Why"
Wild Earth was conceived in 2022 by a group of concerned parents from a patch-work of rural communities in County Clare. These parents came together with a profound concern for the wellbeing and physical health of the children in our communities.
Reading national headlines about the increase of anxiety and depression in children across Ireland, learning that the factors that protect young people’s mental health–such as self-esteem, optimism, and resilience–are decreasing, and discovering that very few effective and accessible child wellbeing services exist in rural communities, these parents and our communities felt compelled to act, and in doing so created Wild Earth.
The idea was to create a safe, supportive, alternative space for the young people who are withdrawing–in ever increasing numbers–from traditional schools due to anxiety, depression and disconnection, and bring them back to nature so they can learn to trust and value themselves again.
Our vision was to bring together families and children in rural areas, those who are isolated because of their child’s neuro-divergency, school refusal, or their other specific needs. Fundamentally, we wanted to ensure the most marginalised and vulnerable young people in our communities feel seen, heard and included.
In a short space of time, this vision has become reality, in part due to the enormous and focussed effort of the community but crucially due to the significant and growing demand for such a service. Wild Earth opened its doors for service in the autumn of 2023.
Today, Wild Earth has delivered over 1200 hours of free-to-access, therapeutic, nature-based sessions in County Clare and has already provided essential support to many families, including children from the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in Ireland.
Essentially, Wild Earth brings children of all ages and abilities to nature. In doing this, we deepen the child’s confidence and belief in themselves.