Calm in the Wild

22/11/2025

21/11/2025

January Challenge: Get Outside with 64 Million Artists 🌿

Recently, I shared that I’d be weaving some of the 64 Million Artists January Challenge prompts into my work - and I’ve been thinking about how to do this in a way that feels true to Calm in the Wild.

So here’s my plan: all through January, I’ll be sharing nature-based responses to the “Courageous Change” prompts - but in my own way, and in my own time. Not daily (because let’s face it that’s probably not sustainable or realistic!), but regularly enough to stay connected to the creative process.

I’ll be encouraging my woodland wellbeing groups at Woodville to engage with the prompts too - exploring what courageous change means for us, finding joy and connection outdoors even in the coldest month, and using creativity as a tool for wellbeing.

If you’d like to join in (either with me or in your own way), you can sign up here: https://64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge/

Remember: there’s no “right” way to do this. Take what feels right, leave what doesn’t, and make it work for you.

Let’s use nature to find some courageous change together in January 🌿✨

The January Challenge is a way to explore your unique creativity in one month. 31 creative prompts in 31 days. Join thousands of people opening a creative prompt daily throughout January and see where it leads you!

19/11/2025

Moving deeper into November 🍂

The trees have shed their leaves, the storms have begun to whip through, and the rain that we were so desperate for in Summer now feels relentless. It’s the season of hunkering down, of hygge, of firelight and cosy blankets.

But here’s something I’ve learned over the years: even when it’s grim outside, those few minutes of fresh air - feeling the wind, noticing the light, breathing in the cold, even feeling the rain - can reset your whole nervous system.

And when the sun does break through (even if it’s just for five minutes), getting outside to feel it on your face is worth it. Your body and mind will thank you.

But what about when you genuinely can’t get out?

Nature connection doesn’t have to mean being outdoors. You can:

🌿 Open a window and listen to the sounds outside
🌿 Bring natural materials inside - pine cones, twigs, autumn leaves
🌿 Watch the trees from your window - notice how they move in the wind
🌿 Burn a nature-inspired candle (pine & sage is my current favourite)
🌿 Drink herbal tea (or hot chocolate) slowly and mindfully
🌿 Look at photos of outdoor spaces that feel calming to you

The important thing isn’t perfection. It’s noticing. It’s pausing. It’s giving yourself those tiny moments of connection, even when you feel like there just isn’t time.

November is hard. Be gentle with yourself. Find your moments where you can.

🍂 What’s your favourite way to connect with nature when you can’t get outside?

18/11/2025

Well I think I know how I’m making gift tags this year……

17/11/2025

Over the years, I’ve seen how easy it is for people who support others - parents, educators, neurodivergent adults, and anyone quietly holding everything together - to forget their own wellbeing.

As a former teacher and ND adult, I understand the value of calm, connection and a sense of belonging. And I’ve seen over and over again how just a simple hour or two in nature can help people breathe, settle, and come back to themselves beneath all the roles and expectations.

That’s why I started Calm in the Wild: to create gentle, inclusive spaces in nature where every kind of mind can pause, feel understood, and just be.

When adults are supported, whole families, classrooms and communities feel the ripple effects.

🌱 Here’s to creating calm and connection for every sort of mind.

12/11/2025

🎉 Exciting news for Calm in the Wild!

For the first time ever, next Monday’s community session is fully booked!
I couldn’t be more thrilled, overjoyed (and slightly terrified).

Before I get carried away, that’s a grand total of eight people, including me - the maximum number I can host whilst keeping things gentle, inclusive and supportive for everyone (myself included). But it still feels like something worth celebrating! 🌲

Huge thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund for funding these sessions, and to Woodville for giving us a home. As well as to all the organisations who have supported Calm in the Wild over the past year - Trust Leeds, Participate projects, and Shine Workspace in Leeds to name just a few.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, keep an eye out for spaces opening up - or try Wednesday sessions which still have availability!

12/11/2025

I spent a lovely day on the rooftop garden at Culture Fusion in Bradford yesterday. We were juicing apples from the Bowling Park Community Orchard with BEES (Bradford Environmental Education Services) - here’s a snippet of what that involved. (And yes, it was very cold and wet!)

10/11/2025

🌿 New Season, Same Calm

As the weather turns colder, our Woodland Wellbeing sessions are moving mostly indoors at Woodville. We’ll have the same warm brews, gentle creativity, and nature connection, and little dips outdoors when the weather allows.

We’ll still bring the woodland in with us with natural materials, seasonal crafts, and moments of calm inspired by nature and the seasons. 🍂

Free sessions, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, for parents, carers, educators and neurodivergent adults in Keighley.
Now running 10am–12noon, Mondays & Wednesdays.

Booking link in comments.

10/11/2025

I loved spotting fungi so much that I’m planning to take this morning’s community Nature Based Wellbeing Sessions up into the woodland at Woodville - I wonder what we’ll find 🍄‍🟫🍄

07/11/2025

I loved joining the 64 Million Artists training this week, learning how to use The January Challenge creative prompts.

This year’s theme, the last ever, is “Courageous Change.” We talked about what that means to us, and the kind of change we’d like to see in our lives and communities.

They also shared research by There Is An Alternative (tialt.org) showing how creativity can nurture joy, wellbeing, connection, collaboration, ideation, and skills - all values that fit perfectly with Calm in the Wild.

So, I’ll be using some of the prompts for a ‘Get Outside in January’ challenge, and bringing them into our woodland wellbeing sessions at Woodville too.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, you can sign up for The January Challenge here:
👉 https://64millionartists.com/thejanuarychallenge/

I’ll be sharing how we’re using the prompts to keep creativity (and connection) alive in nature all through January. ❄️🌿

05/11/2025

🌿 A bit of a milestone for Calm in the Wild. We’re now listed on FYI Bradford, the go-to directory for wellbeing and community services across the district.

It’s brilliant to know that even more parents, carers, educators, and neurodivergent adults can now find our free Woodland Wellbeing sessions at Woodville Community in Keighley. (Funded thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund)

We’re grateful to be part of such a strong local network supporting wellbeing in Bradford. 💚

04/11/2025

If you’ve not come across Calm in the Wild before, it’s my way of bringing people together in nature - especially neurodivergent adults and those supporting young people - to find calm, connection and community.

I started Calm in the Wild because I’ve seen how much we ask of adults - parents, educators, and neurodivergent people - without giving them the time or space to look after their own wellbeing.

As a teacher and ND adult myself, I know just how powerful it can be to step into nature, breathe deeply, and reconnect with who you are beneath all the roles you play.

My mission is simple: to create calm and connection for every kind of mind. 🌳💚

Whether you’re supporting young people, working in education, or just feeling the weight of everyday life, you’re always welcome here.