Fruits of The Forest

Just over 10 years ago I learned that my job in Dudley Healthy Schools Service was being cut.

After 28 years in the NHS I decided that my best option was to take redundancy.

Not knowing anything about running a business I took the plunge and set up Fruits of The Forest.

Despite my years in the NHS, being a small business owner has been the hardest but the most rewarding job I have ever done.

My only aim was to support the health and happiness of children and families.

Forest school certainly has brought lots of happiness, allowing children to lead the way, to be free, enable all types of play, learn new skills build relationships and deepen their connection to nature.

All of this I hope had impacted positively on their health.

I have had the privilege of developing a little woodland, providing the Pedmore children with 42 forest school sessions over their 7 years at school, ran weekly toddler groups, worked in 8 other schools, provided approximately 200 parties, hosted training, created a forest school leader support group, ran countless events, holiday clubs and had the best Santa ever!

None of this would have been possible without YOU!

Thank you so much for your support and believing in me. So many of you have become like family to me and I genuinely get excited seeing who is booked on!

This chapter in my life has been one of the best and I will be eternally grateful.

But now I am signing off for a little break and when I am back I will soon be launching what's next.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

💚💚💚

So that really is it.

The last for Fruits of The Forest.

A day of joy, celebration and play!

Through story, music, creativity and freedom we came together

But also of support and time. Giving those affected by fire a space to share their stories, to listen and support both emotionally and practically by trained and experienced practitioners.

Thank you to all the folk that came yesterday, old faces and new, to those who helped and supported, to all my amazing team who have been so loyal.

This isn't goodbye forever, just a bit different, so watch this space.

Please follow The Fine Collective CIC to see what we are up to there.

Thank you. 💚🌳 Hortulani Our Place Support The Sleepee Teepee Club Lee Creative Books and More in partnership with Usborne Danny English

What a day! And more on that tomorrow....

But tonight I had a knock on my door and some very special visitors.

These beautiful children delivered a gift like no other, from the families of Pedmore Primary School.

A photo book and messages as well as some gorgeous and very generous gifts.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am completely overwhelmed by your kindness.

Thank you. 💚

Pedmore C of E Primary School PTA please can you share my thanks, I would hate anyone not to know how grateful I am. X

Wishing everyone getting GCSE results today the best of luck.

Remember grades are only number, these are stepping stones to get to your next chapter.

Don't feel pressured to tell others your grades they should just be happy if you are and be there to support you if you need it.

Don't ever feel judged, life will be ok if they haven't gone to plan!

I still haven't got maths and only passed 4 but have done ok! There are so many paths to take so don't worry.

You got this!

Really looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Remember to bring your picnics, we shall have fruit water and a few snacks available.

No fire or marshmallows I'm afraid as it's not safe due to the dry ground.

But there will be lots of fun and as well as support from school nurses, Educational Psychology for Everyone Our Place Support The Fine Collective CIC PAFSS at The Mary Stevens Hospice for anyone who might need support after the fires!

Plus we have:

Danny English the BEST storyteller ever!
The Sleepee Teepee Club
Lee Creative Books and More in partnership with Usborne
Ekho Collective Earth Kind Holistic Offerings
Hortulani
The Mary Stevens Hospice ice cream cart!

As well as all our usual play!

Plus if we are lucky our lovely Mayor of Dudley may pop in as well as Cat Eccles our MP!

I truly hope this festival will be a time of joy and community where we can come together, support each other and let the children play!

See you in the morning!

I have been so busy this last week trying to support our local Community after the devastating fires with The Fine Collective CIC, I haven't really had time to think about what tomorrow means for me and Fruits of The Forest

Tomorrow will be my last ever event and session in the woods with Fruits of The Forest.

I can't quite believe it. Nearly 10 years of meeting amazing families, working with about 10 schools, toasting hundreds of marshmallows, building dens and eating yummy mud pies!

Tomorrow I really hope will not only be a day to support those impacted by the fire but a chance to celebrate with you this amazing 10 years I have had.

I can't wait to see you all! It looks like it might rain, so hopefully we shall have the best mud to play with!

Tickets are now sold out, but if you have been affected by the fire you are welcome to attend.

This week sees the last of my events and sessions with Fruits of The Forest.

From September Fruits of the Forest will be closing after nearly 10 years in business.

But i will be amalgamating it with The Fine Collective CIC where are able to offer more targeted and community work as well as continue some of the work I have offered through Fruits of The Forest.

These last few days we have been working to support children and families that have been affected by the fires.

As part of that work we are offering any families who have been affected by the fire to attend our family festival on Thursday.

All the details are on the flyer below.

These spaces are only open to those who have been affected.

All other tickets have now sold out.

It feels a very difficult time right now but I hope on Thursday we can spread a little joy and allow children time to play freely and connect to their friends.

Please give The Fine Collective a follow to keep updated on what we can offer.

I can't wait to see so many familiar faces on Thursday for one last celebration of my little business that has been my life so long!

Thank you!

Please consider supporting

Support for fire victims Tp support those affected by the fires