Hello, Im Helen and I love the Outdoors!
I was working as an Occupational Therapist before lock down. Sadly I had to give up my contract as we were shielding my son, who has a heart defect. We didn't know at the time how Covid would affect him as there was no research into what may happen if he did catch it. So I spent a few months flexi schooling him and we spent a lot of time either in the garden or in the local park learning about nature and doing outdoor activities. That's when I started my journey as a Forest School teacher and Therapeutic Forest School practitioner.
We were just about straightened out from Covid, going back to normal and I had found a job with a local Community Interest Company as a Learning Outside the Classroom facilitator when I discovered I had Stage 3 Bowel cancer. I don't mind telling you it was a massive shock! I had surgery in July 2022 and started Chemo, that almost finished me off, but on the 17th January 2023 I said goodbye to the Chemo unit and I am holding steady since then with regular monitoring, but emotionally its still a bit of a roller coaster. I spent a lot of time outdoors, I wanted to improve my own well being with nature. I don't think I would have been as well as I am without the opportunity to be able to tune in with crafting outdoors.
I worked for a couple of years with the CIC, but my contract unexpectedly finished before Christmas, which has left me without regular work and in a bit of an interesting situation.
What happens now?
So..... I have gone back to my roots! I teach Heritage Crafts such as Basket Weaving and Traditional Rag Rug techniques, Dorset Buttons and Wild Weaving. If I combine this with the outdoors and Forest School activities we have a fabulous opportunity to spread the love of the outdoors while sustaining traditional crafting and looking after our Well being. I want to be able to bring this to you.... Having been unwell but also working as an OT I know how important Well being is for people with a whole range of conditions. But what if you cant get out....... Well, that's when I come to you! That's where the Inclusive comes in! This also includes Home Education. Its important to have the opportunity to experience different ways of learning, forest school is adult or child led, so although there is a plan, its not always curriculum based if it does not need to be.
Why Crowdfund?
I decided to Crowdfund the Project as it could be years before I manage to save enough to move this project forward, people need support now, So I thought with the support of a few like minded people, we could get off the ground and begin our journey together. I have all the equipment I need for the Forest School activities and the Heritage crafts. But what I don't have is a suitable vehicle to put it in. My aim with the funding is to find a vehicle that I can either convert or has been converted, so that I can travel around the country facilitating workshops with different people and different groups or festivals. A sort of travelling crafty Well being hub.
What have we achieved so far?
I have spent time delivering Forest School to Nature based Toddler groups, Primary and Secondary schools. A Home Education group. A well being in the woods project at a local hospital. Engaging with local craft and yarn shops to deliver and develop the workshops I want to take on the road with me. Its a journey, I have met some amazing people along the way so far and Im looking forward to meeting more with the tour!
What is the money going to be spent on?
Well firstly I would love to think we can make this target and find a suitable vehicle so that I can get on with a Tour de Forest School, I have a couple of people onboard willing to help with the fit out and servicing. I have covered the insurance and tax already.
Any money that may be left over will be spent on subsidising the workshops to lower the costs. I am also considering a collaboration with some like minded Forest School teachers who all have Forest School qualifications and other interests such as Home School, Music and Art. So we may even set up our own CIC... Watch this space!! Can you imagine the possibilities in a garden or woods near you?
And finally..... A Reward just for you.
As a thank you for helping fund this project I have put together some Rewards that I think are pretty funky. They will all be handmade and the workshops facilitated by me. I have tried to include something for everyone.
