The idea
We are currently awaiting feedback from Northumberland's planning dept. on whether this project requires planning permission and we expect to find out within the first few weeks of the campaign. In the event that planning permission is required, the campaign will be stopped and restarted again at a later date.
Our woodland compost loo will be designed and built by local woodsmith with the help of volunteers. We'll make a safe place for anyone to easily wash and change so they can enjoy their time in the woods with us for longer.
We'll soon be back in the woods cooking around the campfire, crafting wooden curiosities and playing among the trees. While our hands are occupied, our minds stretch out, conversing and listening, sharing experiences, insights and building friendships.
What we'll deliver
- A compost toilet - hand built, accessible and shelter in the woods with washing facilities and a strong changing table
- Summer sessions - subsidised places for kids and for adults to get people safely back into the woods this summer
- Training - for Young Forest Leader volunteers - young people who have struggled during lockdown
- A website - making it easy for more people to discover what we do and book onto our sessions
- Spare play clothes - waterproofs, jumpers, wellies, hats, gloves, so more people have fun without being cold and wet
- New toys and equipment - replace hammocks, buckets, kneelers, tarps, tools, etc., that deteriorated during the pandemic
Why it's a great idea
With a compost toilet:
- you'll no longer need to find a discrete spot to relieve yourself!
- handwashing will be Covid safe
- babies and toddlers can get changed under shelter
- less pollution to the local environment
- people will feel confident taking part, especially people with learning disabilities, autism & anxiety
With spare play clothes, new equipment and new sessions:
- everyone will be happier, warmer and more comfortable spending longer in the woods
- we'll be able to support more people who feel it would be too risky or too expensive to come to our sessions
- give more people the skills and confidence to feel comfortable being outdoors in nature
With a website we can:
- let more people know about and benefit from the sessions we offer
- use new social media to connect people and continue their friendships after their sessions
With your support we can also provide work experience and training for young people to manage risk, first aid, and group dynamics.
Steps to get it done
- Compost toilet will be built and in use by groups
- 3 Young Forest Leaders will volunteer
- 10 groups will attend sessions in Target Woods
Over the last few years, hundreds of families have come along to Deni's sessions in Target Woods, just north of Hexham. During Covid Deni has set up a Community Interest Company: Nature's Living Room CIC, with three parents as co-directors. This means we can raise funds and use the income from regular forest school groups to subsidise disadvantaged families so everyone can feel better by spending time in Nature's Living Room.
