ABOUT US
"Right that is it, we are off out to play in the woods….and we'd like to take some people with us."
Having spent over forty years playing and learning by doing in the Sawpit Woods and fields on the farm where we grew up... we thought that now we are grown-ups, we'd like to carry on that playing and exploring in the very same woods with others.
We started working in the woods as a natural progression from our experience and expertise in Forest School leadership, outdoor learning and environmental education, art and early years teaching, expeditions, farm management and charity work. We are particularly influenced by our time with Forest School Camps and by the land and environment around us, on the farm where we lived as children.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide the space to experience connections with others, self and the natural environment. We aim to provide enriching, fun and creative experiences for all generations in reciprocal relationship with the land.
Our work is motivated by a deep concern for the need to build human-nature connection and a belief in the restorative powers and joy that spending time in the woods can bring.
Our Aims & Beneficiaries
Our company aims to provide connective experiences in woodland throughout the circle of the year. We work for the benefit of people of all ages and for the benefit of the natural environment around us. The experiences strive to build self-esteem, confidence, resilience and joy along with physical, mental and emotional wellbeing by being connected to nature. Through our work, we aim to build community and foster connection to self, others and nature, in a mutually beneficial relationship with the land.
We tread lightly on the land, supporting biodiversity enhancement by sustainably managing the woodland habitats in partnership with the farm management team. This provides opportunities for people to learn about, engage with and conserve the natural environment.
So bring on facilitating fun and open ended, creative learning experiences through play, exploration and nature connection. If you have skills or knowledge, collaborative intentions or enthusiasm, then please get in touch to find out more.
FEEDBACK ABOUT SAWPIT WOODS AND OUR FOREST SCHOOL PROVISION
Here is some feedback we have had...
Such a nourishing time in the woods in concentric circles of community, hearth, human family, standing ones (trees) and beyond. Space to be heard, space to listen, all children held collectively giving space for us all to breathe and be our better selves. Learning from noticing each other and how we do things differently or are different. Space. Acceptance. Laughter. Shared stories. Discovery. Didn't know how much I needed it until I experienced it. Thank you to the woods and the glorious sisters who held us all with loving attention ❤️
“Being at sawpit woods with the kids just.feels.right. Watching the kids playing in nature, getting involved with activities, learning to understand the trees and plants and being around the fire with other parents, sharing stories was the most wholesome, and strangely the most relaxing day out that I’ve had with the kids in a while! “
"Hi, I was just reading your Autumn equinox blog on the website, it’s great to hear and see what you’ve been up to. Thank you for the complementary mention of my daughter, she loved it last week thank you."
"I wanted to thank you for the mental health resources you shared here: sawpitwoods.co.uk/post/may-play-and-mental-health. Good stuff!! I'm currently writing an essay for college about Mental health at the workplace, and this was very helpful."
"My son is over the moon! As these weeks have gone by he has been enjoying it more and more and is really looking forward to Tuesday now."
I’m so grateful to you for having him, it’s such a great opportunity and I think he’s getting loads out of it already.
"After the session he was telling me about making fires, painting with berries, that he saw “fill male” pheasant 🤣 on the after school club version he was super excited the first time he walked from school. Told me about the adventure going over the park and in the gate to a secret path that was over 2 more gates and then you’re at forest school den."
"Thanks you so much for today. Both my two had a great time and have been talking about it all afternoon. They are very proud of their sticks, tie die and den building skills…and of course the sawing! They do Forest School at their school, but they said this was better! Hopefully we can join another time."
"Just want to say thank you for my sons first day at forest school today. He had a brilliant day and hasn’t stopped talking about it since I picked him up. I was skeptical at first, as he’s still so little and everyone was new to him, but he’s asked to go again so I know I made the right decision. Even the torrential rain today didn’t spoil the fun 💙🌳🍂🌧🐿🐞🐌🐛🦗🕷"
"Thank you so much for today a brilliant time was had by them all."
"Thank you so much for a good time. my son has had so much fun. We love seeing the pictures on the blog."
"He’s is already a happy confident kid, as he’s the youngest I was worried for a minute, but he’s not phased by it, he loves the big boys. He always looks forward to going and asks how many sleeps, which makes me happy that he loves it this much."
"We loved it! Same time next year?!"
"Some wonderful exploring and creativity happening today at Sawpit Woods xx"
"Boys loved it as normal great job xxx"
"Our Log Dog had a shower when we got home, and is currently warming up in the airing cupboard because he is apparently a ‘house Log Dog’ 😉"
"Look at our boys they all had so much fun thank you
#sawpitwoods 💕💕💕💕"
In a recent survey our children gave it an average rating of...
9.3 out of 10!
"Want to do a massive thank you to Lou and Nat on this half term the boys have had a brilliant fantastic time can’t wait for the next thank you again xxx"
