Nature Nurture is our new volunteering project, designed to help anyone who might be facing social isolation or loneliness to get out in the woods and meet new people. Set in Kirkton Wood, nr Aberfoyle (https://what3words.com/former.relishing.mural), we’ll meet on a regular basis to learn about the woodlands, manage different areas of the woodland, create new habitats, and learn traditional crafts.
Supported by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults - Ideas, Improvement and Innovation Fund, the group will meet weekly, taking part in a range of activities including coppicing, tree planting, and traditional crafts. We’ll come together over lunch, cooked by the participants, to share recipes, stories about ourselves and the woodlands, creating a safe space to connect with each other. We hope that the project will help participants to increase their wellbeing, reduce their social isolation, and enable them to take positive steps towards combatting the climate emergency.
Part of our social mission at Green Aspirations is to pass on traditional woodland skills, and the programme will include a range of greenwood and blacksmithing crafts, including weaving, spoon carving, furniture making, and basic forging. We’ll also invite other trainers to provide input from time to time, widening the experience of participants and encouraging them to try a range of different traditional crafts.
Nature Nurture is open to anyone who wants to attend and feels that they would benefit from regular time in nature. By creating a non-judgemental, inclusive, and supportive space, where different experiences and backgrounds are welcomed, we hope that the group will attract a wide range of people.
Meet Thursdays from 10am to 3.30pm, starting on 5 March
Lunch is provided.
More information and sign up here: https://www.greenaspirationsscotland.co.uk/naturenurture