05/09/2026
Do you ever find yourself wondering how different childhood is today from the one you had?
One of the things that really stands out for me is how differently children now spend their free time. I remember growing up and spending most of my time outside after school. I didn't have a phone or a computer, so I was constantly creating my own adventures with friends, exploring, discovering, making things up as we went along and learning to solve problems for myself. But over the last couple of decades, things have changed and we have seen a shift. Many children now spend much of their free time indoors, immersed in a virtual world. Their experiences are increasingly shaped by algorithms, social media and the games they play.
As a psychologist, I can’t help but wonder what this change might mean for our children’s long-term wellbeing. How will this shift from the real world towards a virtual one influence the world they create for themselves? Will they know the feeling of wonder and awe that comes from watching sunlight reflect on a river, hearing a bird call or tasting an apple from a tree? These are lived experiences that can not be replicated online. I believe that the opportunities we provide to prepare our children for the future need to include regular time in nature.
As we prepare to begin a new term of our Unplugged Clubs, I’m looking forward to welcoming back the children whose love of the outdoors has grown through their time with us at the back of Home Farm Allotment, as well as those who are just starting their journey with us.
My hope, as always is that the children and young people who join us will experience the very best of what nature offers, feel inspired and rediscover that sense of wonder. Perhaps, through these experiences, they will grow up feeling more confident, wanting to create a future that values and protects every living being, understanding that they too are an integral part of the ecosystem and feeling a desire to care for it.
💚 For more information about our clubs see link in the bio.
