Renew and Restore in Nature
Supporting people living with cancer
Join us for restorative, fun and uplifting sessions all rooted in nature, on our beautiful community-owned organic farm. Sessions run fortnightly Fridays 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Our Renew and Restore programme is open to all and will include a wide range of activities, evolving around your feedback.
You could experience an introduction to photography, cook a new dish with our head chef, try your hand at bush craft around the camp fire, join a foraging walk or a conservation task, create art inspired by nature, or perhaps enjoy just a gentle amble through our woodland and a cup of tea.
We guarantee a friendly space, where you can dip in and out of what suits you on the day.
The Fordhall Community Land Initiative is really excited to be working with funders Lingen Davies Cancer Trust to deliver this diverse programme of free support for people living with cancer.
Launched in May 2024 and running to the end of the year, you can attend up to six sessions to create a bespoke programme to suit you.
The base for all the sessions will be our stunning ecologically-built Straw Lodge, with sweeping views across the Tern Valley.
Whilst the majority of sessions will take place outdoors your comfort is our priority, therefore the Straw Lodge offers a retreat space during each session.
What can I expect?
10:30am
Arrival for a welcome brew, get to know us or chat with friends.
11am
You can choose to: Join your chosen activity; Take a gentle amble around the farm with a friendly Fordhall host or Relax at base.
1pm
Return to base for a cuppa and to regroup with friends.
1:30pm
Session ends. Head off home or spend more time exploring the farm, maybe visit the café or farm shop.
We know that treatment can have its ups and downs. Therefore, if you book an activity, but on the day, you don’t quite feel up to it, we will be flexible.
You can always change your mind and stay at base or join the amble.
Similarly, if you want to dip in and out of an activity, that is also perfectly fine. These days and experiences are here for you.
Healthy drinks and snacks will be available but you’re very welcome to bring any food or drink with you from home you’d like to have with you.
Upcoming sessions
Due to small group sizes, attendance always needs to be booked in advance.
Your health - if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of these activities please contact your GP before attending.
- 12th July – Nature inspired block printed bags: Nature inspired block printed bags with artist Ruth Carlile Mills - create your own colourful repeat patterned bag. The patterns are inspired by the flora, fauna, and landscapes of Fordhall.
- 26th July – Mindful meander: A relaxing walk on the farm incorporating introductions to forest bathing, breathwork and other techniques to enhance wellbeing.
- 9th August – Storying a Walk with artist Jessica Emsley: Drawing in nature and storying a walk. An outdoor art workshop introducing different drawing techniques, you will create a narrative sketchbook of the walk. Please note there is a really relaxed approach to the day with no pressure to make anything ‘finished’, its just about being outside and connecting to the landscape through drawing.
- 30th August – Bug life: Learn about the importance of pollinators,different species, life cycles, habitats. Find and ID them at Fordhall.
- 6th September – Bushcraft in the woods: Fire lighting, woodland whittling, hammock hanging and campfire cookery!
- 20th September – Autumnal Amble & Foraging Walk: Immerse yourself in the changing seasons and join John Hughes (Fordhall former board member and Shropshire Wildlife Trust) to discover the hidden wonders of nature on a gentle amble.
- 4th October – Session yet to be confirmed so we can listen to feedback. Suggestions welcomed, what would you like to see more of / something different / try?
- 18th October – An introduction to nature photography: celebrating the changing seasons. No experience needed, just bring your own camera (phone cameras are fine). A relaxing walk on the farm noticing the small and the beautiful details.
- 1st November – TaiChi & Qigong for Health: An introduction to Tai Chi & Qigong for health, tranquillity and focus. The session can be done seated or standing.
- 15th November – Session TBC, suggestions welcomed!
- 29th November – Session TBC, suggestions welcomed!
- 13th December - Session TBC, suggestions welcomed!
We will publish more session information here as we progress though the year and tailor the sessions based on feedback of our attendees.