24/06/2022
NATURE CLUB FOR Q***R FAMILIES
so excited to share this collaboration with Williams, q***r solo-by-choice parent and all round wonder.
* What is this?
A monthly get together in nature for q***r families (and friends - q***r aunts, uncles, axles, odd-parents, guide-parents and other adults are all welcome to bring the children in their life along!)
Activities will be oriented towards children from 2 - 10yrs old, with something for the adults as well. Older and younger children also welcome.
Adult parents/carers must remain present and responsible for their children at all times.
Our facilitator, Bess, loves sharing their passion and knowledge of nature with folks of all ages. They're a forest school leader, work in a consent-based learning community, also lead adult nature connection sessions and they're into community care. They will structure the sessions to offer some games and activities that build our connection to the place, such as foraging, bushcraft, and sensory connection with the more than human. There will also be plenty of space for children's play and emergent ideas to flourish! We'll end with a circle, sometimes around a fire, sharing a wild tea/infusion drink and/or snack.
* Why Q***r families?
We use q***r as an inclusive term for LGBTQIA+ folks. It’s easy to find q***r events for adults, but child-inclusive q***r spaces are few. We hope this will be a place for q***r adults who look after children to be in community together - among other adults raising children in non-gender/hetero-normative contexts.
* Payment:
Sliding scale
£5/ £10/ £15 for one young person & one adult.
Please pay an additional £2/£5 for each additional person:child or adult.
We want this to be financially accessible for folks with low incomes, particularly single parents. We also want to pay our facilitator, Bess, a living wage for their time and cover resources. Charging a flat rate would mean some people are choosing between paying for this and paying for other basic expenses, while others experience this as a 'bargain' activity. We don't think this is the fairest way - which is why we’ve chosen a sliding scale trust economy.
Please pay what you can afford:
-if you struggle to afford monthly living expenses pay at the lowest level - and know that you wouldn’t be turned away for lack of funds if it’s more than you can afford one month.
- if you typically pay for a range of educational/entertainment activities, buying treats when you're out pay on the middle level, which covers your share of costs,
- if you can do so comfortably (e.g you may own your home, you may drive a vehicle without worrying about fuel costs, you access activities without worrying about expense), pay at the higher level - which subsidises the sliding scale.
* When?
Trial session - Sunday July 10, 2-4pm
Theme: Meet each other, meet the place & its plants and creatures.
This session will be a chance to shape the format of future groups!
Sessions will then run as a termly block (3 sessions) from September, payable in advance on the third Sunday of each month, 2-4pm.
* Where?
Oldbury Court Park, BS16 (exact location will be sent upon receipt of payment).
* How do I secure a place?
Please email Bess at [email protected] expressing your interest and state the names, pronouns and ages of all in your group.
Please provide a brief description of any additional needs that your children may have that might impact on their ability to engage in sessions.
You will be instructed as to how to pay upon receipt.
We look forward to meeting you.
Bess (facilitator) and Em (organiser)
