Greenwood Growth CIC Forest School

25/07/2025

Bats in Leek Butter and Trestle Market New today. Loving discovering people's favourite stories of chance encounters with Bats in Leek.

Free clay tile workshops will take place at The Clay Collective, Foxlowe Arts Centre, on Wednesday 20 August:

- 1pm 'Beer, Bats, Biscuits' tile making. Over 18's only
- 6.30 pm 'Pizza, Bats, Tunes' clay tile making. 13 - 18 years

Message for details. Spaces are disappearing quickly for these workshops in which stories will be immortalised in clay building a trail in town.

Thanks to OUTSIDE and the creative community commission and the many people who use the market joining together to share a bit of Bat joy.

24/07/2025

We introduced new families and old friends to our summer holiday club today. A wonderfully relaxed vibe in the woods welcoming children age 5 - 13 years to feed their imagination, stoke curiosity and play.

This year our team is working alongside 'Rob the Slackliner' who will be inspiring children to have a go at moving their bodies in lots of different ways across the fields and through the trees. Children attending on certain days of holiday club will be able to watch highlining stunts alongside juggling, unicycling and unexpected happenings before having a go themselves on kid-safe versions.

Once appetites are built lunch will be served, cooked from a campfire. Today we had stir-fry and most people asked for seconds and extra crispy bits.

We may have one or two other surprises lined up too by the time we get to mid-August.

Move More Staffs Moorlands OUTSIDE Staffordshire County Council

23/07/2025

If you're joining our holiday club in August and making the most of the free transport to and from Haregate Community Centre why not get step counting on your walk to the bus stop? ...and where better to keep that tally growing than playing in the woods. Details in the post picture. Good luck everyone.

sometimes we think long and hard about ideas and sometimes we wake up one morning and think today we are going to walk.....today was that day! Follow the link to join the challenge or make a donation to our fundraising goal!
https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/campaign/walk-through-august

21/07/2025

Generation Nature is a youth led podcast that uses storytelling to engage and inspire other young people to connect with nature. The first episode has just dropped and we'd love for you to share with any young people you know. We think you're going to be hearing a lot more about this incredible collective, keep your ear to the ground people.

We are Generation Nature, an upcoming podcast about stories for nature for young people, by young people. We believe in the power of storytelling as a phenomenal tool for change, and hope to use this platform to address many of the reservations young people may have about getting involved with

20/07/2025

We are counting down to summer holiday fun, beginning with a free taster session to introduce families to the woods.

Taking place on Thursday 24 July between 10.00 - 13.00 in the woods at Horton St. Michael's this session this low demand session is in ideal time to help your child get to know where we are based, how we spend time, and who our Practitioners are. Drop in, or stay for lunch.

The short film will help explain what to expect.

Book via: https://eequ.org/book/greenwood-growth-forest-summer-camp-with-greenwood-growth-cic-11497

Film credit: with thanks to

Our holiday club is part funded byStaffordshire County Council OUTSIDE and supported by Move More Staffs Moorlands

19/07/2025

Forest school constantly takes our practitioners down new evolutionary paths and increasingly we are interested in our roles towards nature restoration alongside the catalyst roles in our community we can play. Within our network is a colleague, Olly, doing exceptional work with permaculture at the core, locally.

This course was developed by his sister and we've just heard the application deadline has been extended.

Take a look at Shift Bristol for details and get involved.
https://www.shiftbristol.org.uk/about-the-psc

Hello Facebook connections

17/07/2025

We had a full house this morning at our weekly toddler group. Toddlers is a bit of a misnomer. The truth is many adults join for themselves, and their little people have a great time too.

We had an everything hunt: dolphins, bears, dinosaurs, other children, adults... We made soapy suds from Horse Chestnut leaves, played on swings and obstacle courses, laid down for a bit because it feels good and shared a picnic. When that was done some of us carried on playing mums n dads n me, others chatted about the virtue of capturing Robins, some went fishing or looked at a bird's nest. It was everything that's awesome about Forest School and we are all grateful to the adults who bring their people each week - especially the childminders who graft their socks off providing home from home, play like gooduns and so obviously love what they do.

17/07/2025

If you're visiting Leek Library any time soon you might stumble upon a little exhibition celebrating Moorlands Wild Week. This project aims to visit as many children in schools as possible over one week in June celebrating all things wild. This year's focus was Jackie Morris and Robert MacFarlane's The Lost Words, an enchanting book of stunning illustrations and poems, well worth sharing with your loved ones.

If you have time today, have a listen to this, The Lost Words Blessing https://youtu.be/Hg1xFYpXuWA

15/07/2025

If you're getting your BBQ stuff in, buying emergency "oh my goodness they've grown" summer gear or stocking up on groceries ahead of the summer hols consider supporting us through easyfundraising.org.uk. It doesn't cost you a penny and raises a few quid for us.

We're registered on which means you can raise free donations for us when you shop online! Over 8,000 retailers will make a donation to Greenwood Growth CIC on your behalf when you shop with them. All the big names like Sainsbury's, M&S, Argos, Just Eat and more are ready to donate at no extra cost to you. Sign up here:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

14/07/2025

Our summer HAF offer takes place near Rudyard and we are often asked if we provide anything in Cheshire. We don't, but these people do a d it looks fab! Check it out.

Holiday Club with a difference🐶🐰🦔🐴🐍

Give your child a joyful, calming break this holiday with our animal therapy Holiday club! 🐾

Children get to:
✨Meet lots of therapy animals
🌱 Enjoy nature-based activities
🎨 Get creative with animal-themed crafts
🤝 Make new friends in a calm, supportive environment.

💜HAF booking link:
(For children who have SEND needs or are eligible for free school meals)
https://eequ.org/book/animal-adventures-holiday-send-club-with-inspiring-animal-therapy-cic-18054

💜Private booking link:
https://bookwhen.com/inspiringanimaltherapy

14/07/2025

This morning two young children visited Forest School in Grinlow woods for the first time. They were interested in holes in the huge Beech trees and discovered they act as tiny reservoirs, holding water. Together we investigated the water with sticks, which became mark making on the silvery bark, which became mixing water with a little mud, which became making moss-covered paint dabbers, which became a picture of "my Daddy". When this was done we sprinkled leaf litter, built a slide, made a ball out of moss and a train track. Their play was endless, their parents absorbed alongside their little people. It felt a privilege to unlock the joy and wonder of this magnificent woodland. Also lovely to catch up with Ranger Harriet and great to see how she is engaging with local schools for community give back.