Forest Families
Forest Families was established in 2011 to provide a safe space for parents and carers of children with ADHD to meet for peer support and enjoy a range of activities outdoors. Since then we have grown and now run programmes in Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire with some families coming from Conwy and Gwynedd too.
Families are at the heart of our work. They help design our programme of activities and influence the direction the organisation takes. At our sessions, families are able to relax in a comfortable non-judgemental setting where they can ‘feel accepted for who we are’. Families build resilience facing challenges like wild weather, campfire cooking or den-building and have opportunities to experience well-being in nature. Staff skilfully scaffold new skills including knot-tying and fire-lighting in tiny steps; participants slowly build confidence before exploring new skills independently.
Our experience of running forest families sessions in Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire has shown us the positive impact these programmes can have in a community. We have seen evidence of reduced social isolation for both children and adults, improved attendance at school, improvements in self-esteem enabling parent/carers and young carers to make use of training and volunteering opportunities, development of knowledge and skills, peer support, collaborations between community groups, improved understanding of neurodivergence and of families’ differing support needs.
Forest Families sessions run in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. Please click here if you would like to join the waiting list for sessions in your county. (booking links) If you live elsewhere in North Wales, please contact us to discuss which sessions might be available to you.
At our sessions (Q&A with Becks Fowkes, Director of Campfire Cymru)
Q: What happens at a typical forest families session?
A: We do all sorts of fun and relaxing activities in a comfortable woodland setting. Den building, fire-lighting, craft, games, stories, songs, hammock time, bug hunting, nature exploration… We have food and drinks cooked on the campfire and enjoy being in the woods, making friends.
Q: What sort of activities are there?
A: Activities are participant-led, that means children and families choose what they want to do and lead the way. Our staff can also give suggestions if anyone isn’t sure, especially at the first few sessions… But after a while, children get used to turning up and saying, ‘I want to make a scorpion” (photo - Wooden Scorpion ) or “I’m going to climb a tree” (photo - Children Climbing) or “Let’s make a fairy den!” (photo - A Fairy Den) Staff are trained to listen, observe and support children’s play and to respond to children and families with kindness and empathy.
Q: Isn’t forest school all about fires and bushcraft?
A: Yes. There is plenty of scope for bushcraft. We always bring a bag of hand tools, safety gloves and fire-lighting equipment with us. Staff are all forest school trained and know how to teach each tool and fire lighting safely. One of the first things many children try is fire-lighting. (photo- Fire Lighting Challenge) Lighting your own fire can bring such a sense of achievement, it’s something participants like to do over and over again. We break the process down into 5 levels, so even if your first fire doesn’t last long enough to cook a marshmallow… you might still have reached level 3 fire-lighting and be ready to try again next time. (Photo - Firelighting Using The Bow Drill).
Q: What if my child doesn’t want to join in?
A: That’s fine. We know how hard it can be to make the first step to attend the session. Sometimes just getting there and seeing what's happening is enough for the first time. Each forest families block is 6 sessions, so you can come back and try again the following week. We usually find that children’s confidence grows quickly at our sessions. And as sessions are open to the whole family, parents, carers and siblings can be there to ease the way too.
Q: How much does it cost to attend?
A: Forest Families sessions are free at the point of delivery. They are fully funded for families with disabilities, additional needs, neurodivergency and/or anxiety. We work hard to ensure this stays the case by constantly fundraising to meet our costs. So there is no cost for families to attend and we can usually arrange transport for anyone who needs this too. There is also no need for a diagnosis, we welcome any family who feels that they or their children may fit into this category.