We hope this newsletter finds everyone in good spirits at this the beginning of February. A little soggy, perhaps, and in need of some blue skies and sunshine no doubt, but hopefully staying positive in the knowledge that the dark days are ending and the light is coming our way.
Walking up on the wilderness plot today we were amazed that the blossom on the Cherry is showing, the fluffy buds on the Willow are breaking through and the Daphne is sending its beautiful, powerful, scent into the air.
Spring is most definitely in the air!
Walking up on the wilderness plot today we were amazed that the blossom on the Cherry is showing, the fluffy buds on the Willow are breaking through and the Daphne is sending its beautiful, powerful, scent into the air.
Spring is most definitely in the air!
Firstly, goodbye ... and welcome!
We sadly say goodbye to Matt Fox from the board of directors after two years of hard work, ideas and support. Matt leaves to throw all of his energy into developing and growing his counselling business Matt Fox Counselling and to give as much time as possible to his young family. We wish him the best of luck.
You can get in touch with Matt, or get further information about his practice, at his website: www.mattfoxcounselling.co.uk
In Matt’s stead we welcome Abi Gibbs as our new Director. Abi is an experienced young person’s advocate, having spent 9 years working in the Asylum team and Looked After Children team for Surrey County Council and now for West Sussex Council. She holds a degree in Philosophy, a Masters degree in Social Work, a Masters degree in Understanding and Securing Human Rights, and is a Forest Schools Practitioner. She is a registered social worker and is passionate about combining her work with her personal love of nature.
Fantastic News!
The Centre for Ecotherapy is delighted to announce the receipt of a small amount of core funding from Brighton and Hove City Council in the Discretionary Grants for Small Organisations (3rd Round)! This is very exciting as it firstly symbolises recognition from the Council for the work that the Centre is doing within the Brighton and Hove community and secondly it shows that nature-based therapies and activities are gaining support from the Public Health directorates and statutory bodies as recognised means of promoting and maintaining well-being in the community. Hoorah!
It also means we may officially, and proudly, display the BHCC logo!!!
Weekly Drop-in’s
The ‘Monday group’ has seen a growth in attendance during the past 6 months. We have been working on the nettle population of the ‘wilderness’ site, painstakingly clearing a large area that was given over solely to nettles. We will replace the nettles, sowing an organic mix of grass seed and wildflowers in Spring. We are also fencing the site at the bottom track to give shape to the area and plan to erect a sign and information board over the next few months.
This year we are also hoping to create a semi-permanent shelter to protect groups from the worst of the weather. As the regulations stand, we are unable to build a permanent shelter, so we are looking to build a structure over which a weatherproof covering can be thrown when and as we need. The group enjoys a fire, a wide variety of activities and tasks, as well as committed group and individual support.
The group meets at the ‘wilderness’ site on Stanmer Organics on a Monday morning 10am-1pm
The ‘Monday group’ has seen a growth in attendance during the past 6 months. We have been working on the nettle population of the ‘wilderness’ site, painstakingly clearing a large area that was given over solely to nettles. We will replace the nettles, sowing an organic mix of grass seed and wildflowers in Spring. We are also fencing the site at the bottom track to give shape to the area and plan to erect a sign and information board over the next few months.
This year we are also hoping to create a semi-permanent shelter to protect groups from the worst of the weather. As the regulations stand, we are unable to build a permanent shelter, so we are looking to build a structure over which a weatherproof covering can be thrown when and as we need. The group enjoys a fire, a wide variety of activities and tasks, as well as committed group and individual support.
The group meets at the ‘wilderness’ site on Stanmer Organics on a Monday morning 10am-1pm
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The Friday group continues as a fun-loving, hard-working group, committed to developing and maintaining the allotment. This winter has seen fence-rebuilding, to deter, as much as we can, our rabbit friends from entering the allotment and feasting on our produce! While we cannot keep out the deer population, we are doing as much as is feasible to protect the beds from the pesky native herbivores!
The allotment is looking great at the moment, beds cleared and manured, awaiting the planting to come in February and March. The composting area has been organised to contain the different ‘waste’ produced by the allotment throughout the year. A bathtub system has been introduced to ‘drown’ the perennial hard-core weeds such as bindweed and nettles. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this new idea.
The Friday group enjoys hot drinks around the fire, food cooked on the fire when produce provides and regular seasonal celebrations. There is a strong supportive ethos among our regular clients and newcomers are made very welcome, with the beneficial aspects of gardening together being felt by everyone, clients, volunteers and staff alike.
The Friday group meets at the allotment site on Care Co-ops in Stanmer Park on Friday mornings 10am-2pm.
If you, a client or a friend are interested in either group, please call 07517 0090915, use the contact us form or, e-mail us at info@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information.
New for 2016
Following the success of the Introduction to Horticultural Therapy and Introduction to Ecotherapy half-day workshops last summer, two spring dates for each workshop have been arranged:
Introduction to Ecotherapy – Thursday 3rd March and Thursday 28th April
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy – Thursday 24th March and Thursday 26th May
For full details on each workshop and information on how to book see the training page.
New Project
The Centre is just about to start a 2-month project working with a youth group from the Young Person’s Centre in Ship Street. This will kick off a new research project looking to gather information that will help us understand how young people engage with Nature. The hope is to work with a number of different youth groups in different communities over the next couple of years using recorded conversations and outdoor activities to establish the common and individual experiences of young people when consciously aware of the natural world around them.
Personal consultations
The allotment is looking great at the moment, beds cleared and manured, awaiting the planting to come in February and March. The composting area has been organised to contain the different ‘waste’ produced by the allotment throughout the year. A bathtub system has been introduced to ‘drown’ the perennial hard-core weeds such as bindweed and nettles. We are looking forward to seeing the results of this new idea.
The Friday group enjoys hot drinks around the fire, food cooked on the fire when produce provides and regular seasonal celebrations. There is a strong supportive ethos among our regular clients and newcomers are made very welcome, with the beneficial aspects of gardening together being felt by everyone, clients, volunteers and staff alike.
The Friday group meets at the allotment site on Care Co-ops in Stanmer Park on Friday mornings 10am-2pm.
If you, a client or a friend are interested in either group, please call 07517 0090915, use the contact us form or, e-mail us at info@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information.
New for 2016
Following the success of the Introduction to Horticultural Therapy and Introduction to Ecotherapy half-day workshops last summer, two spring dates for each workshop have been arranged:
Introduction to Ecotherapy – Thursday 3rd March and Thursday 28th April
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy – Thursday 24th March and Thursday 26th May
For full details on each workshop and information on how to book see the training page.
New Project
The Centre is just about to start a 2-month project working with a youth group from the Young Person’s Centre in Ship Street. This will kick off a new research project looking to gather information that will help us understand how young people engage with Nature. The hope is to work with a number of different youth groups in different communities over the next couple of years using recorded conversations and outdoor activities to establish the common and individual experiences of young people when consciously aware of the natural world around them.
Personal consultations
 | We are now offering one-to-one Personal Discovery ‘signposting’ sessions with experienced personal consultants. |
At times, all of us could do with a little extra help, a dedicated supporter who will listen and help you find the answers you need. Perhaps there is an issue that you cannot decipher, or a situation that is causing you undue stress. Perhaps you are considering changing direction in life but feel uncertain how to go forward, or there are barriers that you are unsure how to move through.
A Personal Discovery session could help you identify what is troubling you and help you find the right path. Our experienced consultants will help you make the right choice, whether this is to make an appointment with a health, counselling, educational or employment professional to make further inroads into the situation. Equally a session could simply help you find the confidence inside yourself to make the changes you know you need to make.
It is important to note these are not counselling sessions, and should not be considered such, but they can help with identifying personal situations that are unclear or personal issues that may need further support.
Sessions take place outside at Stanmer Park and are confidential and informal.
Sessions charged hourly; consideration for low income possible. Please call 07517 0090915, use the contact us form or, e-mail us at info@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information.
New connectionsThe Centre for Ecotherapy is looking to make connections with individuals, groups and organisations working with and for sufferers of dementia and their carers. We would like to implement some well-being sessions for this group of people and are eager to make contact and explore options with anyone who is involved in this area of community life.
If this is of interest personally please call 07517090915 or emailinfo@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information. If this is of interest to someone you know please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.
A Personal Discovery session could help you identify what is troubling you and help you find the right path. Our experienced consultants will help you make the right choice, whether this is to make an appointment with a health, counselling, educational or employment professional to make further inroads into the situation. Equally a session could simply help you find the confidence inside yourself to make the changes you know you need to make.
It is important to note these are not counselling sessions, and should not be considered such, but they can help with identifying personal situations that are unclear or personal issues that may need further support.
Sessions take place outside at Stanmer Park and are confidential and informal.
Sessions charged hourly; consideration for low income possible. Please call 07517 0090915, use the contact us form or, e-mail us at info@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information.
New connectionsThe Centre for Ecotherapy is looking to make connections with individuals, groups and organisations working with and for sufferers of dementia and their carers. We would like to implement some well-being sessions for this group of people and are eager to make contact and explore options with anyone who is involved in this area of community life.
If this is of interest personally please call 07517090915 or emailinfo@centreforecotherapy.org.uk for further information. If this is of interest to someone you know please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.
The Centre for Ecotherapy welcome enquiries about any of our projects or programmed activities, about opportunities for volunteering or about potential partnerships. Please get in touch through the website, by emailing us or by giving us a call. We look forward to hearing from you.
With best regards
Jess and Abi
With best regards
Jess and Abi
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