Small Roots, Tender Shoots
Growing confidence, resilience and connection for Armed Forces children
Small Roots, Tender Shoots is a veteran-led wellbeing & education programme supporting children from Armed Forces families through bushcraft, outdoor learning and meaningful connection.
Developed & delivered by qualified teachers and Forest School practitioners, the programme combines education expertise, outdoor learning and an understanding of military life to help service children build confidence, resilience, a stronger sense of belonging and increased engagement in school.
2026/27 Programme
150 Armed Forces children supported
2 School partnerships
12 months of consistent delivery
Delivered by veteran teachers & forest school practitioners
Supporting the children behind the uniform
Military children experience a unique childhood. Changes of school, parental absence and the challenges of military life can affect confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
Small Roots, Tender Shoots creates a consistent space where service children can connect with others, develop skills and recognise their strengths
A unique combination of military experience, education and outdoor learning
Small Roots, Tender Shoots is delivered by members of the Root Cause Project team who bring together three areas of expertise:
Veterans
Our team understands the Armed Forces community first-hand and brings the values, leadership and experience developed through service.
Qualified Teachers
Our education expertise ensures sessions are designed around child development, engagement, inclusion and meaningful learning outcomes.
Forest School Practitioners
Our outdoor learning experience creates safe, supportive environments where children can explore, develop skills and build confidence.
Together, these skills create a programme that supports Armed Forces children through trusted relationships, practical learning and shared understanding.
Developed, tested and ready to grow
Small Roots, Tender Shoots began through successful pilot sessions delivered in school during the 2025/26 academic year.
These pilots allowed us to understand the needs of Armed Forces children, refine our approach and demonstrate the impact of combining:
Bushcraft
Outdoor learning
Veteran-led delivery
Education expertise
Consistent relationship-building
From Pilot To Programme
Following the success of these pilots, the programme will now be delivered across two schools during the 2026/27 academic year, reaching approximately 150 Armed Forces children.
Supported By
The 2026/27 programme has been funded by:
The Naval Children’s Charity
Armed Forces Education Trust in association with Greenwich Hospital
The Davie Barnstaple Trust
Help us grow stronger Armed Forces communities
Whether you are a school, funder or organisation interested in supporting the military community, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Us
Tel: 07 719 369 815
5 Clinton Terrace, Barnstaple, EX32 9BN
Company Number:14464872