OTR is partnering with Bristol Tree Craft once again to offer young people another 8-week ‘Woodcraft & Wellbeing’ programme, starting this March! In a welcoming, non-judgmental environment, you will be supported to try different craft activities, learn new skills and connect with nature.

Each session will be different, whether that’s learning to carve a spatula to cook something delicious over the fire with, or planting your own tree along with an intention for yourself. There will be tools & tips to support your wellbeing, as well endless snacks/refreshments, craft games to play and some very friendly pigs to scratch!

The team at Bristol Tree Craft will make sure you have everything you need to feel safe & comfortable, supported by OTR Nature Works.

Who is this session for?

Anyone aged 16-25 who is interested in trying out new ways of being creative in nature as part of a group. All materials, tools, equipment & biscuits (!) are provided, and all activities are beginner-friendly.

Whether you have done anything like this before or not, you are super welcome, and we’d love to see you!

Please note we often have more sign-ups than places for these programmes. Our Nature Works Coordinator will be in touch after you’ve signed up to confirm whether we can offer you a space this time or not. If there are more sign-ups than places, we will prioritise young people who haven’t attended a ‘Woodcraft &Wellbeing’ (previously Green Woodworking) programme with us before, as we want to make sure we offer these opportunities to as many young people as possible.

The group will be a maximum of 10 young people.

How does this relate to mental health?

Making things with our hands in nature helps our wellbeing and can improve mental health in few different ways:

1. Learning new skills by doing them instead of ‘being taught’ allows us to direct our own learning, which is
empowering 

2. Making something unique & beautiful (e.g. a butter spreader) from an ordinary branch is really fulfilling
(especially when you then use it to make a delicious snack!)

3. Taking part in shared learning processes helps us to feel part of a community.

4. Being in nature grounds us by offering a calming break from the stress of everyday city life.

Young people on previous programmes have said it was “amazing experience” and that they “could get totally lost in
what [they were] doing and forget everything else”.

They described the feeling afterwards as one of “wholeness” and “like a weight has been lifted.”

What happens after the programme?

Towards the end the programme, we introduce the Green Leader Scheme, which anyone on the programme can sign up for (please note that if places fill you will be added to a waiting list.) The scheme builds on what we have started to explore during ‘Woodcraft & Wellbeing’: how creativity in nature can support us to take action on behalf of nature in turn, using our newfound skills, interests and networks to protect the future of Bristol’s green spaces. Each Green Leader will receive ongoing support over the course of a year to design, develop and carry out their own ‘Green Mission’ to support nature, whether that’s by making art, shooting a film or running a workshop. Whatever your mission, we will be with you every step of the way, offering 1-2-1 meetings, wellbeing support, peer learning & training sessions and an online resource hub. At the end of your mission, we will help you tell your story in the way you want to, celebrating your achievements and hopefully encouraging more young people to embrace creativity and step into Green Leadership. Bristol Tree Craft also offer a variety of volunteering opportunities, which can be found here.

Access info

The workshop is located at Bridge Farm in Bristol (BS16 2AQ), which is accessible by car, bus, bike or foot. Once at the main farm entrance, there is a 200m walk to the workshop on a mix of tarmac, cobbles and farmland track. The second half of the walk is uphill, with one moderately steep section (there is a handrail for this part.) There is an alternative entrance from the top of the site (Parkside Gardens), which is a similar distance over farmland track, though much flatter. Entry from here can be arranged by request. The workshop has basic toilet facilities nearby (separate standing & sitting urinals), and there are 2 standard flushing toilets and handwashing facilities 100m away at the base of the hill. There are currently no accessible toilets. The workshop is a warm, comfortable space, protected from the elements and heated when cold. There is plenty of seating for resting. For more details on how to find us & accessibility info, Click here.

If you have any questions or would like to talk through anything before signing up, get in touch with Nicky you can drop them an email at nicky.s@otrbristol.org.uk. They will get back to you as soon they can.