People and Landscape Training with EcoWild

Funded training opportunity in partnership with Somer Valley Rediscovered.

You will be someone who lives/ works/ has connections in or near the Somer Valley in B&NES and interested in inviting nature more into your life and/ or that of those around you. There is no expectation of prior skill or training, and the course will be offered as a non-traditional learning. Using experiential methods with discussions, this is a playful and curious exploration of connecting with people and the living world. As part of this we will get to know the plants, animals and fungi around us, the stories that humans have woven and continue to weave within this diversity of life.

We will spend time in and around the green spaces of the Somer Valley project and look at how people and organisations currently interact with the living world around us. There will be practices and prompts to help stimulate an imaginative vision of the future. Plus practical information and tips to help develop ideas that emerge. There will be a shared lunch each day and we will have an indoor base in 2 locations (in Midsomer Norton and Radstock) where we will meet at the start of each day, can leave belongings and spend time in wet weather.

You will finish the week with new learning, a certificate, and full of the joy and energy that comes from being in a companionable and non-judgemental group with a positive shared focus.

Shared lunch of salad, cheese, breads, chutneys etc provided, or feel free to bring your own/ other items to share.

The week will be spent outdoors whenever possible, covering all the sites in the SVR project and spending time in each reflecting, learning, exploring and connecting. The weather will influence timings for moving between indoor and outdoor spaces, and you are encouraged to bring waterproofs so we can be versatile with this. Individual needs and wishes will be considered, and day plans made collectively to support everyone’s comfort including anyone with restricted mobility.

Content:

• Identification; wildlife, habitats, foraging, medicine, food and folklore of the land - experiential and non traditional learning
• Personal development; practices to evolve understanding of what you are interested in / feel drawn to do
• Community structures and processes; statutory and VCSE in the area
• Reflection/ group discussions on current/ future needs and possibilities.
• Health & Safety, safeguarding, risk assessment.
• 1:1 mentoring / 30 minute session

Guest sessions tbc

We encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds including but not limited to People of Colour, people with disabilities ie physical disability, chronic illness, mental health conditions. Please speak to us about any adjustments that you might need to make it possible for you to join. Wherever possible, adaptations will be offered.

Meeting point/ bases:
The Trinity Hub, Radstock: Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Somer Centre, Midsomer Norton: Tuesday and Thursday