Escape to the Woods

Aim

Escape to the Woods uses outdoors nature to provide something new and exciting to enhance peoples’ lives, gain friends and improve wellbeing

We are Sage Gardener CIC, a community resource run by volunteers in a rural setting within ancient woodland in Lincolnshire. Our vision is to enhance people’s lives through engaging with the natural environment. We operate out of a beautiful setting where we run a range of activities and workshops open to anyone who may benefit. Examples of community groups whose members attend include, carers, those living with dementia and their carers, new parents, children, care home residents and their staff and people with mental health challenges.

We aim to help people improve their physical and mental health by connecting with nature in a welcoming environment which enables people to socialise and create support networks. We believe that learning new skills and experiencing different activities enhances people’s lives, promoting self-esteem, social inclusion and relaxation. After the coronavirus this will become even more important.

It’s a sad fact that a huge number of people from all walks of life are living their lives feeling depressed, isolated, anxious and stressed. How many of these people make time for themselves to get outside in the fresh air and immerse themselves in nature on a regular basis? It is now a known fact that being outside and connecting with nature can help to improve peoples’ wellbeing, so wouldn’t it be great if we could encourage people to engage with their local natural environment and take steps to improve their lives?

 “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” ― Henry Ford

We hope that experiencing new things might open new doors for people: we want people to gain confidence and find the right path in their life with our support and other networks. If we can provide the background to lift people out of isolation and depression then we can help them to take the next steps towards a better life.

Volunteers are the roots of our project and are invaluable assets, whether they’re weeding, serving tea or helping out in a craft workshop. Volunteering is a fantastic way for people to increase self-confidence and gain a sense of pride from giving something back to the community. 

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

We plan to achieve our vision by offering regular workshops under our theme ‘Escape to the Woods’ through which we hope to reach out to as many vulnerable members of the community as possible. We need funding for materials, volunteers and experts to make this possible. 

What will we be doing?

We will be offering workshops on a regular basis with a variety of topics run by our experienced tutors and volunteers to allow people to experience a wide variety of activities. Here are some examples: 

• Gardening: Join our green fingered experts as they share their horticultural knowledge whilst you help maintain our community garden. There is always plenty to do all year round! You can take the ideas back to use in your own garden if you want to. 
• Wildlife: Learn about the different species inhabiting our site whilst getting involved in activities such as birdwatching and plant identification. How many different fungi can you identify? Do you know your oak from your hazel?
• Bushcraft: take a step back from the modern world of central heating, sofas and TV and learn survival skills such as den building and campfire cooking. You’ll feel great knowing you can fend for yourself outdoors!
• Exercise: relax and release tense muscles in an open air pilates session or have a go at some outdoor bodyweight exercises that will help you feel strong.
• Arts and crafts: get creative and make some interesting keepsakes to take home and treasure. Why not try making your own suncatcher or willow sculpture?
• Music: learn about different types of music and have a go at making your own instrument. Join in one of our singalong sessions in the woods.
• Storytelling: When was the last time you listened to a good story? Take some time out to relax in the outdoors and listen to tales old and new.
• Forest bathing: experience the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku and relax in our woodland. Let the natural chemicals of the forest lower your stress levels and discover how many calming qualities the trees transfer. No swimsuit required!
• Healthy eating: explore new recipes and ways to use the ingredients from our kitchen garden. Experience the joy of cooking outdoors in the fresh air whether it’s preparing salad in the sunshine or roasting your lunch on the campfire. It tastes so much better!
• Eco-projects: help us make our site more eco-friendly by exploring different ways of saving energy and recycling.

New wellbeing workshops are being designed to support people who have struggled during the coronavirus lockdown to improve their personal situations. These are listed in the updates.

What do we require funding for?

We will need initial funds to purchase materials such as art and craft supplies, gardening tools and materials, fire pits, food for cookery workshops and bushcraft equipment. We will require funds for refreshments for our workshops in order to create a welcoming and comfortable environment. We will use skilled tutors for certain workshops and we will need to train our volunteers and provide our volunteers with expenses.

This project successfully funded on 15th July 2020