WOODLAND DAYS

Woodland days:

We will enjoying time in one of the towns many incredible woodland spaces. These day will give men the opportunity to spend time together outside round a campfire, learning a range of bush/wood craft skills such as wild fire lighting, wild food foraging and whittling. We will also have plenty of time for sharing food and stories around the fire, reconnecting with our own true wild nature.

We evolved outdoors surrounded by nature, we are tool-using hominids, which is why being outside appeals to us so much. We are meant to be outside.

In the same way, a badger will continue to dig even if you take away the need to dig by giving it a home. Human beings like all other animals on his planet have instinctual behaviour. In fact, we know that endorphins are released in animals (including us) when we engage in instinctual behaviour. This makes perfect evolutionary sense. So why are we drawn to connect with the natural world? because its what we are supposed to be doing.

Bushcraft is a practice that reconnects us with skills that are innate within all of us. Using tools in nature to create the items we need, foraging for wild food and medicine, understanding the use of trees and plants, lighting fires with nothing but a couple of sticks, knowing how to collect and clean water, understanding how to live in, and with nature, this knowledge is your birthright. 

We want to give this back to you, it’s yours. Understanding and connecting with nature through these skills helps us to feel a part of nature again, to fulfil our instinctual need.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: 27th October

Seasonal foraging and outdoor cooking. Exploring our own relationship with food and our connection to it.

During this workshop we will be exploring the woodland and discovering many of the edible foods and medicines available to us at this time of year. We will be looking at our own relationship with food and cooking, as we all have memories and emotions attached to food. We will be working together to prepare and cook a meal around the fire, where we will have time to reflect and share.

The day will be led by David Edwards of ‘Therapy for Thought’ - Eating Therapy Coaching.

Sacred Deer: 17th November

In November we will meet the Deer. With reverence and care we will explore what it means to eat meat. From nose to tail we will honour every aspect of this being. Including Ceremony, Butchery, crafting with bones, skin or antler - we will learn about different ways to approach an animal. We will also give you an introduction to tracking deer, deer ecology.

The Deer will follow us throughout the year in craft, ceremony, Food and medicine.

Deeper Mens work:

Days may also include some more in depth healing work for men. This can take the form of somatic breathwork, nervous system regulation, embodied masculine work, body movement and release, grief work, chanting, singing and personal sharing. This work is optional but allows us to move deeper into our healing journey together.

When?

  • Food for thought: Foraging and outdoor cooking day: 27th October- 10am-3pm, Chuchwood, Hollington, St Leonards on sea

  • Sacred Deer woodland day: 17th November 10am- 4pm, Helenswood, The Ridge, Hastings

THIS IS A FREE GROUP, AIMED AT MEN LIVING IN THE HASTINGS AND ST LEONARDS AREA. SPACES ARE LIMITED. CONTACT LUKE TO JOIN US: luke@projectrewild.co.uk

Please be aware that these groups are designed to be a safe space for open discussion. Therefore, we request that you do not bring children, female partners, or dogs to the group.

Take action man is a great way to help with mental health in a holistic way, providing free activities that are genuinely worth doing like bushcraft or foraging. It’s helped me and I’m certain it’s helping other men”. 

— Stephan (Participant)