Our New Family Forest Sessions are relaxed, welcoming drop-in sessions designed for families to enjoy nature together at their own pace.

Families are welcome to arrive anytime between 10am and 3pm every Wednesday. There is no pressure to arrive “on time” or stay for a set length of time. You might pop in for an hour, or spend the whole day with us. The space is there for families to use in the way that works best for them.

Each week we will offer a loose theme, activities, and ideas to explore, while still leaving plenty of room for families and children to follow their own interests, play freely, and enjoy the space in their own way.

The woodland is set up as a community space where families can relax, connect with familiar faces, and spend quality time outdoors together. There are opportunities to enjoy:

• Swings and hammocks

• Fire and outdoor cooking

• Mud kitchen play

• Tree climbing

• Woodland crafts

• Stream play and exploration

• Nature-based play and relaxation

We have shelters and tarps in place, making the space suitable for all seasons and weather conditions.

We want this space to grow with the community, and everyone is welcome to bring ideas, suggestions, and creativity to help shape future sessions.

Drop-in cost: £5 per family and drop in for as little or as long as you need.
This helps cover running costs, resources, and insurance.

Please note that during these family sessions, parents and carers remain responsible for supervising their children and supporting them in choosing activities appropriate for them. Families attend and take part at their own risk, including when engaging in activities involving managed risk such as fire, climbing, tools, and stream play.

BOOKING INFORMATION

**Our booking system is shared with our drop-off sessions, so you may notice it asks for more information than needed for Family Forest sessions.

As parents/carers stay and remain responsible for their children during these sessions, we only require the names of those attending.

There’s no need to complete full profiles or medical details unless there is an allergy, medical condition or support need you would like us to know about.**

🌲 Forest School Sessions for Ages 11–16

A child-led outdoor space where young people are encouraged to bring their own ideas, interests, and energy. We create a place where they can simply be themselves, free from pressure, judgement, and expectation,  while building confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

Our woodland sessions are safe, inclusive, and welcoming to all young people. We recognise that community takes time to grow, and through regular attendance young people help shape the space, support one another, and build meaningful relationships with people who may think, feel, or experience the world differently from themselves.

Away from screens and everyday pressures, sessions offer a calm and relaxed environment where young people can unwind, explore nature, develop practical skills, and engage at their own pace. Activities are flexible and youth-led, with opportunities to make, create, learn, talk, or simply spend time outdoors.

Led by trained Forest School practitioners, activities may include:

• Fire lighting

• Cooking on the fire

• Tool use

• Whittling and woodwork

• Nature crafts

• Stream-based activities

• Tree climbing

• Shelter building and woodland exploration

Some of these activities involve managed risk, which is an important part of developing confidence, resilience, and independence. All activities are carefully supervised and supported through thorough risk assessments, helping young people take part safely while gaining the many benefits outdoor challenge and exploration can offer.

Weekly sessions: Every Tuesday, 10am–2pm.

£10 for 3 hour session

When booking all sessions at once block booking discount of £75 for all 8 sessions. (applied automatically)

Parent & Teen Programme

A gentle, supportive 6-week programme designed for young people experiencing anxiety, alongside a parent or trusted adult.

These small-group sessions take place in a calm, nurturing environment, offering space to slow down, connect, and build confidence together. Through shared activities, nature-based experiences, and guided support, families can strengthen relationships, develop self-esteem, and feel more at ease in themselves and with each other.

Ideal for those who benefit from quieter settings and a more personalised approach.

The groups are small with space for only 8 young people and their trusted adult on each block. The 6 week block begins Saturday 9th May at 10am-12pm on our site at Calbourne Water Mill.

We look forward to welcoming you to slow down and take some time together.

Saturdays 10am-12pm

If you have any more questions about this please email or sign up to our booking system to book on to the course.

How do people make a difference in the world? What changes would you like to see in your community, for people, animals, or the environment? And what can one person actually do about it?

This five-session outdoor programme introduces young people to the idea of active citizenship through practical, hands-on experiences in a woodland setting. Led by a qualified teacher, participants will explore how change happens, learn from inspiring changemakers, and develop the confidence and skills to take positive action on issues that matter to them.

Working outdoors and away from screens, young people will learn through discussion, creative activities, games, making, problem-solving, and real-world projects. The woodland provides a relaxed environment where participants can think deeply, collaborate with others, and develop ideas in a practical and meaningful way.

Across the programme we will explore:

Session 1: Young Changemakers
Discover inspiring stories of young people who have made a difference locally, nationally, and globally. What motivated them, and how did they create change?

Session 2: Understanding Change
Explore different ways change happens and identify issues that matter to you. What would you like to improve, protect, or advocate for?

Session 3: Local Change
Investigate examples of change within local communities and consider how people can influence decisions and improve the places where they live.

Sessions 4 & 5: Taking Action
Plan and develop your own change-making project with support from the group and facilitator. Participants will have the opportunity to put their ideas into action and reflect on the impact they can have.

Projects will be shaped by the interests of the young people attending and may focus on topics such as climate and the environment, wildlife and animal welfare, community issues, wellbeing, inclusion, local spaces, or other causes they feel passionate about.

These sessions form part of a wider programme supporting young people to develop confidence, responsibility, leadership, and a sense of agency. Participants are welcome to attend individual sessions, but those who attend the full block will gain the greatest benefit and have the opportunity to develop and carry through their own change-making project.

No previous knowledge or experience is required—just curiosity, a willingness to share ideas, and an interest in making a positive difference.

Suitable for young people who are ready to think critically, work collaboratively, develop their independence, and take positive action in the world around them. Age ranges are flexible depending on interest, engagement, and maturity.

Please not day change sessions begin from Friday 26th June 1pm-3pm for 5 consecutive weeks.

Price £7 per session of whole 5 week block for £30 (discount applied automatically upon booking when all 5 dates are selected)

🌿 Woodland Wellbeing 60+

A relaxed and welcoming woodland space for people aged 60+, offering time to slow down, connect, and enjoy the outdoors in good company.

These gentle sessions are designed to reduce social isolation and support wellbeing through nature connection, conversation, and shared experiences. Activities may include light crafts, seasonal projects, short walks, and time spent around the fire.

With warm drinks, friendly faces, and a calm, unhurried pace, it’s a chance to reconnect with nature, with others, and with yourself 🌿

There is free parking on site.

Accessibility note:

Please be aware that reaching the woodland area involves a short stroll over natural ground, which can be uneven in places. We aim to keep the sessions welcoming and accessible, and we’re happy to discuss individual access needs in advance.

Mondays 9am-11am

Cost: £7 per 2 hour session

🌿 Family Woodland Weekends

A fully funded family day out in the woods, designed to bring people together through nature, creativity, and shared experiences.

Spend time exploring the woodland, learning about nature, and enjoying hands-on activities such as campfire cooking, whittling, and seasonal outdoor crafts. Families will also take away simple ideas and activities to continue enjoying together over the summer.

These sessions are proudly supported by CAN YOU HEAR US? Creative Islands.

Dates are as follow:

• Sunday 7th June (fully booked)

• Saturday 11th July

• Sunday 12th July

• Saturday 25th July

These events are booked separately to the usual booking system and can be found here:

https://creativeisland.org/event/create-in-nature-teens-and-families-2/

Our Youth Club has grown from the belief that young people need spaces where they can experience the independence, challenge, and healthy risk-taking that naturally comes with adolescence but within a safe, supportive, and understanding environment.

Set in the woodland, sessions give young people the freedom to shape their own experience and influence the direction of the group. Rather than following a rigid programme, we encourage young people to explore their interests, build confidence, and develop autonomy through activities and shared experiences that feel meaningful to them.

There are always positive activities available to engage with, including our usual Forest School experiences such as fire lighting, cooking on the fire, tool use, whittling, crafts, tree climbing, and woodland exploration. Sessions may evolve into more advanced cooking skills, survival activities, teamwork challenges, creative projects, or simply spending time together outdoors.

For some young people, the group is a chance to learn practical skills and push themselves outside their comfort zone. For others, it is simply a place to relax, de-stress, connect with others, and reset for the week ahead.

Above all, Youth Club is about creating a welcoming space where young people feel trusted, included, and able to be themselves, while building resilience, friendships, confidence, and a sense of belonging through shared experiences in nature.