Heather
Youth Work Assistant
Age - 19
Before her placement, Heather pursued a teaching assistant apprenticeship where she discovered a passion for working with children.
Her love of youth work and the outdoors made the Youth Work Assistant role at Scotswood Garden a perfect next step, providing her with practical experience and qualifications.
Heather’s connection to Scotswood Garden spans over a decade. Having first participated in youth groups, she later became a young peer worker before securing her year-long paid placement through the New to Nature programme.
In her role, Heather planned and delivered three weekly outdoor learning sessions, each adapted for different age groups and abilities. She also supported Forest Schools and earned a Level 1 Forest School Leader qualification during her placement.
Throughout the year Heather was able to gain the skills and experience to stay on at Scotswood Garden and continue developing her career in outdoor education.
“As a kid, I was always outside. I said I would never get a nine to five job working in an office. There are always admin days here and there but I don’t want to do that the whole time, I want to be out there doing the activities!”
New to Nature is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Coronation, delivered through a partnership of Groundwork, The King’s Trust, Disability Rights UK, Mission Diverse and the Youth Environmental Service.
