This autumn CCDT’s Forest School Tots and Friday Night Forest & Fire sessions will be moving to our new location ‘ The Wild Space’. Located in amongst the wilderness treeline of Havenstoke Park the space will feature an outdoor shelter and learning space to help re-connect people of all ages with nature and each other, creating a space in which to reflect, relax and enjoy.

Thanks to the vital investment from the National Lottery Community Fund, granted this year, the three-year funding will support the design and construction of a wooden shelter structure that will enable young and old alike to engage with the natural environment and enjoy activities from Forest Schools, discovery days, sustainability activities, wildlife workshops, as well as volunteering opportunities for those looking to get out and be part of this exciting initiative. 

This is a new project, but one that echoes the work of the past. Set in the grounds of the now closed Graylingwell Hospital, that cared for the mental health of over a thousand patients at a time, the wilderness area will provide information on and celebrate the pioneering work carried out there.  The Hospital used horticulture as a means of therapy for patients, with most working in the farm set within the grounds.  In the same way that nature was used to help restore the mental and physical health of patients, CCDT sees this project as a vital step in helping a community ravaged by the impact of COVID-19, as all have been, to begin the process of returning to health and critically of empowering a community to connect with each other again.  

Forest School Tots will become The Wild Space Tots and Friday Night Forest and Fire will become The Wild Space Forest & Fire from the beginning of November.  Meanwhile, Nina, our new Heritage and Learning Co-ordinator, is working hard to develop an extensive programme of outdoor activities for the year ahead that will engage with the wider community with The Wild Space project.

To find out more or book your space onto Wild Space Tots or Wild Space Forest and Fire visit our What’s On at our website here.