Greenwood Growth CIC Forest School

07/09/2026

If you educate your children at home and favour time in nature make the most of this free six month programme taking place from Ilam Park.

Led by Lorna and Bee working with Matt Windle we will explore the language of nature, trees and self in stunning scenery. Meeting once a month this is low demand, gentle and fun contributing to a wider project to grow more trees!

Guide age 11 years, younger children welcome, adults to accompany and participate.

First session Tuesday 15 September, 10am - 12pm. See you there.

BOOKING LINK: https://eequ.org/book/waymaking-rap-with-matt-windle-with-greenwood-growth-cic-34254

Find your voice. Connect with nature.🌿

We’re bringing Waymaking to Ilam Park, with poet and spoken word artist Matt Windle, The Poet with Punch🎤

Got something to say but not sure where to start? Want to try spoken word, play with words or simply see what it’s all about?

Each month, Matt will lead creative sessions inspired by the landscape around Ilam Park. Spend time outdoors, explore nature and discover new ways to express yourself through words and poetry.

No pressure. No judgement. No experience needed. Just space to explore, create and be heard.

Each month, there’s a Waymaking session for each group:

🌱 Young people aged 14–18 | 10am–12pm
For young people who are home educated or not currently in mainstream education.

🌿 Adults aged 18+ | 1pm–3pm
For adults experiencing physical or mental health barriers.

📅 Monthly on Tuesdays: 15 September • 13 October • 17 November • 15 December • 12 January • 16 February • 16 March
📍 Ilam Park, DE6 2AZ
🎟️ Free to attend
🚌 Free transport available

Sessions are flexible, supportive and accessible to a wide range of needs.

We’d love people to join us throughout the programme, exploring Ilam Park and their creativity as the seasons change. ❤️

🎉 We'll also be holding a Waymaking Celebration on 23 March 2027, bringing everyone who has taken part together for a gentle celebration through rhythm, poetry and spoken word.

👉 Find out more and book your place: https://outsidearts.org/events/waymaking-ilam-park-matt-windle/
📧 [email protected]
📞 07801 655272

07/09/2026

When I was a child I was taken to visit the Major Oak. I remember joining hands with my friends and stretching around the trunk to measure her girth. It took a lot of us and because we were young I think we didn't complete the circumference. This animation shows the drawing of the tree by artist Ai Weiwei who sketched the Major Oak until his ink ran dry. Enjoy.

Purchase a print: https://circa.art/shop/Follow CIR...

01/09/2026

We've been on our holidays and welcome the greener looking countryside and early morning September chill in the air.

If you're looking for your next forest school adventures you can find us at Hassall Green, near Sandbach, and Horton, near Rudyard.

We are also supporting some exciting stuff down at Ilam Park beginning on 15 September once a month for young people educated at home.

Most of what we do is free to join and all listings are available via https://eequ.org/greenwoodcic

14/08/2026

Did you join our holiday club? If you have a mo we'd love to hear from you on our feedback back form. It'll take you less time than it takes for the kettle to boil, promise.

Please click the link to complete this form.

13/08/2026

Huge thanks to all the legends who braved the heat with us at Hassall Green this summer! 🌞 We've made some new friends and can't wait to get this party started again soon! 🎉

A massive shoutout to our magic Practitioners who kept everyone cool and happy under the canopy - you are the best.

If you're feeling generous, we won't say no to an ice cream float (or three) - donate via https://buy.stripe.com/aFa4gy62Z04w27YeEfgEg00. We're taking a breather for the rest of August, but we'll be back in the woods in September with a fresh batch of fun stuff - check out our schedule at https://eequ.org/greenwoodcic (home educators, we've got you covered too 😉). See you soon, humans,

13/08/2026

Lorna, who is from Leicester, is doing a thing! Eight weeks from today is Leicester's Festival of Running and having successfully avoided running for 45 years she's currently training for Leicester Half Marathon, raising money for Glenfield Hospital's Secret Garden, supported by Leicester Hospitals Charity

The Secret Garden is in the middle of the hospital, offering a beautiful, calm place in nature for rest and recovery.

If you see Lorna about all support is welcome from shouting encouraging words whilst training in the hottest, driest summer since records began to donating a fiver.

Picture taken at The Peak Climbing Wall, the place to stretch out!

Lets see if we can smash the £500 target through the roof.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/lorna-stoddart-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

11/08/2026

Who doesn't love a creature? To our knowledge this one is nameless. With its toothy grin we can only assume it's reptilian.

The last Tuesday of holiday club has been hot and characterised by learning to discover shady places to rest and make. Great effort Team Tuesday.

11/08/2026

Running a not for profit is many things, full of highs and lows, full of tiny moments that make a huge impact, crammed with joy, disappointment, humour, pain, graft and above all else the best colleagues, friends, networks. The vast majority of not for profits are created from a desire to create change and because of that are led by passion. Taking the plunge from passion to business takes determination and solid advice isn't always easy to come by. Recently I was interviewed to contribute to an article for new organisations and found myself channelling the wisdom of Director, Caroline who maintains that if you can do nothing else remember to be kind.

Read the full article packed with great advice, including the many uses of kindness, here: https://www.alltheelements.co/news/advice-for-new-organisations-the-outdoor-connection-2026

If you’ve just started a new organisation, or you’ve got an idea you’d love to grow - this article is for you! Steph Wetherell from Every Body Outdoors interviews attendees at The Outdoor Connection, sharing their insights and advice for new leaders. 

10/08/2026

Our friends The Peak Climbing Wall are running an outdoor first aid course suitable for adventurers, outdoor instructors, forest school leaders and the like.

The course hits the criteria for a paediatric and emergency first aid at work course as well so if you work in a school, a forest school, outdoor nursery, walk lead this could be for you. Course details are here: https://www.peakclimbingschool.co.uk/courses/first-aid-courses/outdoor-activity-first-aid-course/

One of our most popular courses takes a no nonsense approach to first aid, we remove the medical jargon and have packed the course with practical acti

06/08/2026

Week three of holiday club closed out with a spot of carving. Our relaxed makers created people, mushrooms, things that move and Stone Age blades. Well done everyone!