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Testimonials

Forest School Testimonials

The following quotes are taken from feedback forms completed by participants, accompanying staff, parents and class teachers

"I really liked everything about Forest School. It was fun and my favourite bit was lighting fires" (Participant)

 

"Ethan looked forward to his Forest School session every week, without fail, no matter what the weather was like. He came home each week and told us enthusiastically about everything he had done, the hot chocolate at the end of the session was a winner as was the lighting fires" (Parent)

 

"Stuart held the children's attention brilliantly and kept them excited about the next task" (Teaching assistant)

 

"Stuart managed a mixed ability group with much sensitivity, balancing safety issues with freedom" (Teaching assistant)

 

"The activities allowed children to do different activities that most children would not have the chance to do. eg making charcoal, making pencils from elder. They worked as a team using saws and peelers safely and with respect of themselves, their team mates and the tools used" (Teaching assistant)

 

"My son always had lots to tell me after a session at Forest School. He seemed to really enjoy it" (Parent)

 

"I enjoy making the pencils and pea shooters as well as making fires" (participant)

 

"Some students have become more content and happier in school" (class teacher)

 

"Very good experience for the children, they have enjoyed and benefitted from this. Thank you" (class teacher)

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"Hakeford Woods is a fabulous place for children to get a rich Forest School experience. With the extensive grounds and varied landscape, it gives great opportunities. We brought a high need whole ks2 class out for a series of 5 x 2hr sessions. Stuart created a relaxed, safe environment where the children were able to learn, explore, challenge themselves, collaborate and enjoy the woodland. The sessions were planned well but with a great amount of choice and freedom to explore the children's own particular interests within the forest school environment. We really noticed a difference in our pupils from the beginning to end of our sessions. Confidence grew, children collaborated more, they relaxed, skills were learnt, and respect for the land and adults grew.
We will definitely be booking again as it was such a positive experience for both pupils and adults and also the relationship between them." (class teacher)

 

I can honestly say that what you have done for our students is nothing more than a miracle. You and your team have shown so much care and compassion to our students. They have thrived as a result and have made remarkable progress in addressing their social emotional and mental health needs. I could list every single student here and the progress they have made as a result of the unbelievably great environment and team you have nurtured. I want to humbly thank you in person for being a providing of something that has fundamentally changed young people’s lives something that money cannot provide. (Headteacher of SEN school)

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"Such a fantastic day here today, all the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Was just a beautiful, peaceful setting, and Stuart and Jim were brilliant.

Would love to return some time." (class teacher)

Wellbeing in Nature Testimonials

“It was really good, a lot of my anger felt lifted”

 

“It’s awesome”

 

“When you are making something, you are just concentrating on that – you are able to focus and you don’t think about your problems”

 

“It was good to do something together – like we were bonding”

 

“It was therapeutic, carving wood was really calming”

 

“I felt stress release when I was there”

 

“I enjoyed it, it made me feel motivated”

 

“I felt happy, the only thing that could improve it – is if it was longer”

 

“Since I’ve been coming to these sessions I’ve felt able to go for a walk in the park and to cafes for a cup of tea, I haven’t been able to do that for a few years”

 

“Helping out with jobs makes me feel more confident”

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"I took part in a Women's Wellbeing day on Saturday 17th August this year. This was my first visit to Hakeford Woods and I absolutely loved it! The day was relaxed and spacious, with no pressure or expectation to do anything. We drank tea and coffee, had a stroll around the woods, had hot soup around the fire, and tried our hand at wood whittling. I find being among trees very nourishing. I came away feeling much more grounded and slowed down, both physically and mentally. Hakeford Woods is such a gift, a precious space for wellness and healing. I hope to be back again soon. Thank you!"

 

"My mental health nurse suggested trying Hakeford Woods and I laughed, and said that's really not my thing and I wouldn't be interested.
My wife mentioned it so I agreed to go ( just to get her off my back)
Was warmly welcomed by everybody there, and who knew whittling was something I would thoroughly enjoy.
A great place for your mental health and can't recommend enough."

 

"I really enjoyed the Women’s Wellbeing session I attended on Saturday. Visiting the woods was so calming and relaxing, I came away feeling lighter and recharged. Everyone was so kind and welcoming and the basket weaving really made you forget your troubles and lose yourself in an activity for a few hours.

The wellbeing session is a wonderful opportunity to forget your worries and submerse yourself in nature, or to share your worries with some lovely ladies going through similar experiences and worries.

I will definitely be back!"

 

 

"As a person who has managed Bipolar Affective Disorder for over fifty years, I would like to say that Hakeford Woods is wonderful.  

There is an oasis of calm, well away from the hurly-burly of modern life.

When attending an event, especially for those with mental health issues, I am always pleasantly surprised how calm and relaxed the participants are.  The woods themselves, plus the comradery, are a great tonic.

There is no need to rush to achieve and those that attend are encouraged to work at their own pace.

We all experience the changing seasons and become aware of nature.

Stuart, who started this very worthwhile project, I think about ten years ago, is always inspirational, and offers great leadership, but with a light touch. He is always prepared to pass the time of day, even though he might be trying to achieve something.

Like many others that use this facility for their well-being, I sincerely hope the project will be able to continue well into the future."

 

"I would just like to say how much I have enjoyed my times at Hakeford Woods. I have now been to a few of the Wellbeing Thursday sessions and some of the Whittling workshops on a Monday. Both are wonderful. I was very nervous when I first started coming to the sessions but felt so at ease once I had got there. I was welcomed and shown around and introduced to other people. In both groups, I have learnt crafts that I feel I would never have had the opportunity to learn anywhere else, and achieved things that I would never have thought I could achieve. I have suffered with mental health issues for a number of years now and have found it very difficult to be outside of the house with others, but the warmth and support that I felt at Hakeford has made it so easy for me to attend and to enjoy my time at the woods. I have found that over the weeks, my confidence increased and I have been able to do other activities too. I no longer seem to fear the outside world so much. Hakeford is a wonderful place, full of friendly people and interesting opportunities. "

 

‘’Thank you for today, it was such a nice group of people that added to the day. I enjoyed everything. Just such a positive calming environment. The guy who supported us was great sharing all his knowledge about nature and the site. I was so calm that I felt naturally tired which is amazing for me as I am usually wired with anxiety. I would be happy to come back again.’’

 

"Hakeford woods was great and it was lovely to get out in nature with a nice group. Loved everything about it, just wish it lasted longer :-) "

 

"I have been going to forset school for two years and it has helped Me with my mental health and it’s my safe place, and has taught  me to learn to trust people and has built my confidence so much .

But it has also brought out a creative side in me I never knew I had and if I didn’t have the forest school i know I would be a lost soul "

 

"Hakeford Woods and the Monday wellbeing sessions are a fantastic community resource that we have been lucky enough to utilise on a regular basis with our patients.  We found that people would engage really well with the calm, non-judgemental environment.  If offers people a space to relax in nature, and the opportunity to try outdoor activities that they may not have done before.  The sessions are always really welcoming, Stuart and Iona make sure that everyone feels comfortable, and they would tailor the activities to the individuals experience and confidence level, whilst also being aware of any safety or risk issues."

 

"The sessions are incredibly valuable to the community as a whole, and the patients continued engagement with the sessions and enthusiasm for the groups are a testament to the work that Hakeford Woods do.  The groups offer a tangible therapeutic benefit to patients, as well as fostering a sense of self confidence and empowerment through the skills learnt in each session.  They are a hugely valuable and beneficial asset to the community, and they do amazing work."   

 

 

"It was lovely to meet you & Iona and volunteers, participated, etc.  Everyone was kind & welcoming.  I heard first-hand from many people how important being in Hakeford Woods is to them & in helping them cope better with various physical & mental issues. It provides a relaxed atmosphere in nature, a completely nonjudgmental atmosphere, no pressure put upon anyone to do or not do anything. I really did find being in a completely stress-free calm place in such a beautiful wood a delightful experience & hope to return many times..... thank you. "

 

"I’m wishing to express to how important and beneficial the service provided to me with the free Well-being in nature sessions at Hakeford Woods Forest School. 

To have the freedom to come weekly to a safe environment, close to home, where Stuart and Iona both welcoming, friendly, patient and approachable have made me feel at ease, in the most beautiful tranquil environment. 

To learn a creative skill by experienced staff is making a huge difference to my life. I have discovered a passion for carving and making things with my hands being in the outdoors. 

It is helping me to blank out challenging events, reduce my overthinking whilst focusing on the wood carving. This is helping me towards recovery, rebuilding myself, cope in social settings and aim to return to work. 

I am extremely struggling with my Complex PTSD and Clinical Depression at present and I am now have the added anxiety of reduced income due to being off work presently on long term sick leave due to the above and I even more than ever could not afford these experiences. 

I have no other words to explain this is my absolute highlight to my week that I truly look forward to."

 

"I’ve really enjoyed my time in the woods at the wellbeing in nature sessions on a thursday. Everyone is so friendly you can just sit by the fire and soak up the atmosphere of just being in nature and the huge benefits it gives you. Come rain or shine there is always a friendly face and a cup of tea on hand."

 

"I attended a fire/knife skills course back in the summer at Hakeford woods, it was an interesting and very enjoyable day and I learnt new skills which I've used since but the best bit was the ability to completely disconnect from everyday life, slow down and be absorbed in nature.  It was joyous to not engage with any electronic devices at all!

I can see that the way you connect with people and the enrichment of the environment your forest school provides is hugely valuable to so many people from different backgrounds. The doing and making of things is incidental to the healing therapy that chatting brings.  I sincerely hope that you're able to continue to provide such a beneficial facility to the community and I personally can't wait to join another course soon."

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"An excellent Forest School. I've been going there for sometime now and have been totally impressed by the experience. It is a beautiful place. I have learned so many new things about the countryside and nature, always with lovely people. It has been the best thing ever for my overall well-being."

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"I first came to Hakeford Woods with my Support Worker, about 4 years ago.  I was in a very ‘dark’ place at the time, questioning whether I wanted to live - or not.  I had already triggered a ‘vulnerable person’ alert.
The first Thursday, I would not let my support worker go further than 12” from me until later in the day…that in itself was an achievement!  Although my problems are not around eating as such….the thought of eating with other people was horrendous.  However, I did it.   How??  I think it was because I was in the company of people, who, despite their own problems were accepting and totally non judgemental.  I did not care about the “fruity” language…it was about people caring for people.
The following Thursday was much tougher…I had to there on my own..and to be honest, I reckon people thought I would not go back!  I did….what an achievement for me.
Over the next 2 / 3 years, I regularly attended these :”Well Being in Nature” sessions.  I really cannot express how amazing / therapeutic / positive these were.  Yes, nature is regarded as being therapeutic…..but with the support / input of Iona and Stuart it is utterly amazing.
Life saving sounds dramatic…but it is true…"

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