Learning, growing and belonging outdoors
Off Grid Community SCIO is a registered Scottish charity based in Clarkston, Glasgow, providing inclusive outdoor learning, food growing and nature-based well being activities for children, young people and adults.
We were founded on a simple belief: that time spent outdoors should be accessible to everyone, and that nature can play a powerful role in supporting wellbeing, confidence and connection – particularly for people who are neurodivergent or who experience barriers in traditional learning or social settings.
Our woodland and garden sessions offer calm, supportive environments where people can learn practical skills, explore at their own pace and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
What we do at Off Grid Community
We deliver hands-on, practical outdoor sessions rooted in Forest School principles, bushcraft and therapeutic food growing. Activities are designed to support sensory regulation, communication, independence and emotional wellbeing through real experiences rather than classroom-based learning.
Participants may be lighting fires, building shelters, growing vegetables, cooking outdoors or simply spending time in nature, all within a framework that prioritises safety, inclusion and choice.
Our approach is flexible and responsive. We adapt every session to the needs, interests and comfort levels of the people taking part, allowing individuals to engage in ways that feel right for them.
Our values and approach
At the heart of Off Grid Community SCIO is a commitment to inclusion, understanding and respect.
We recognise that everyone experiences the outdoors differently. Our team works carefully to create sensory-friendly spaces where participants feel safe, supported and listened to. There is no pressure to perform or participate in a particular way: curiosity, observation and quiet engagement are all valued.
We believe that learning happens best when people feel relaxed, accepted and connected to nature, to others and to themselves.
Working in partnership
Collaboration is central to how we work. We partner with local schools, charities and community groups to deliver tailored outdoor programmes, one-off sessions and longer-term projects.
These partnerships help us reach more people, share skills and strengthen local networks, creating positive outcomes not just for individuals, but for the wider community.
If you are interested in collaborating with us, we are always happy to start a conversation.
Growing a community
Time spent outdoors offers more than practical skills.
Participants often tell us they feel calmer, more confident and more connected after sessions. Families value the opportunity to spend quality time together in supportive, natural settings.
If you are interested in collaborating with us, we would love to hear from you
Based in Clarkston and working with our local community
Want to enquire about sessions, school collaborations or volunteering?
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you
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