Sussex young people bring woodland to life through two original songs

Young people from Woodlands Meed Special School and Woodlands Meed College have created two original songs inspired by woodland, working with children’s singer-songwriter AL Start from Go Kid Music, as part of the Lost Woods project.  

The Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs is a partnership project working across Sussex to restore ancient woodlands and help people and communities discover, enjoy and build connections with their local woods. It is delivered by the Woodland Trust, Action in Rural Sussex, Small Woods Association, Sussex Wildlife Trust, and is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund.   Come to the Woods was written by children in Fox Class at Woodlands Meed Special School, while Wonder of the Woods was written and performed by young music students at Woodlands Meed College as part of their GCSE Music course. 

 The Songs for Woodlands project brings together music, nature and collaboration offering a different way for young people to explore and connect with the natural world.  

AL Start from Go Kid Music said the different experiences of the two groups became part of the songs themselves: “Our time exploring the woods was magical. The songs we wrote are a real reflection of how each group engaged differently with the woods on our visit. The college students found it calming and magical, while the younger kids were really excited! You can hear this in each song!” 

The project is part of the Lost Woods approach to creating opportunities for people and communities to experience nature in ways that work for them, including those who may otherwise face barriers to accessing or connecting with woodland. Karen Laver from Action in Rural Sussex said: “Inclusion creates heart in the Lost Woods community. When we plan activities that, for example, students from Woodlands Meed can join in with and enjoy, we create a programme that’s much more accessible and joyful for everyone else too.”   For the students involved, the project has also created opportunities to build confidence and try something new. Teacher Jan James from Woodlands Meed said: “The whole process has been really inclusive, our students have been accepted exactly as they are, without attempts to mould them into anything. This has just contributed hugely to their confidence and their belief in themselves and belief that they can tackle new things… a lot of them thought writing a song was going to be too hard… they now believe that they can do those things, and they will transfer that to other areas.” 

Both songs are available to listen on major streaming platforms with accompanying music videos available on YouTube. 

 Watch now 

Come to the Woods - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMvP0aAMhmU  

Wonder of the Woods - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtGjjbZmuq4 

Behind-the-Scenes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnb3HlUy934