For November’s outdoor get together, we’re trying something new… A little less of the walking, but still all of the same nourishing time and space outdoors with others who understand. Join us at St Ann’s Community Orchard …
10am-12noon, Saturday 21st November. Free to attend, please just book your space here
St Ann’s Community Orchard is a little pocket of wildness in the heart of the city. Situated on the edge of the 75 acre St Ann’s allotment site, it covers 13 allotments, with 100 fruit and nut trees, a couple of ponds, a strawbale building and loads of magical nooks and crannies. It even has a stream running through it..
We’ll be meeting there – either in the strawbale building or around the fire-pit, depending on the weather – to gently take in our surroundings as the season turns. Expect warm drinks and hot water bottles, simple sensory invitations to help you to explore the space and a welcoming fire, all in the company of others who share a similar kind of experience.
How does it work and who is it for?
This slow-paced two hour outdoor session offers bereaved adults the chance to:
Connect with nature, and notice what surrounds us.
Connect with each other, and to meet others who understand.
Connect gently, with your grief (if you wish to) in a safe and supportive space.
With warm tea, opportunity for mindful moments and techniques; Zephyr’s outside sessions are led by Environmental Arts therapist Richard Arkwright, and you’ll be joined together with peers – other grieving parents, grandparents and adults, who are also walking on their own journeys of loss.
This time together offers a series of invitations, that you are welcome to join in with or not, as you feel comfortable :
Grief circles and mandalas. There may be a gentle invitation to find objects and items that feel representative of how you feel – this is optional to join in with, and can feel a powerful opportunity to honour and remember those we gather together because of.
Mindful techniques – drawing on our senses and what we notice in the natural space around us. These simple techniques may be ones you want to draw on at home, and beyond this morning outdoors
Moving slowly – we really slow down, and this can feel a supporting reminder of taking time for our selves
Meeting others. There is never an obligation to talk about your loss or your experiences. Simply by being on the path together, we each know why we are there. However, sometimes moments arise in which people share how they are feeling or coping, and this is welcomed if this feels right for you.
Meet Richard
Richard is a HCPC registered dramatherapist & environmental arts therapist, working mainly with looked-after children & their families. For the last 25 years, he has managed an inner-city Community Orchard, supporting people of all ages & backgrounds to relax, play, learn & find their place there.
In walking together, there will be gently led mindfulness activities, time to breathe and take everything in, and the opportunity to give space to whatever feelings or grief or may arise. Absorbing the green surroundings of these outdoor environments, we hold awareness for the emotions we are carrying. We always make time to pause, sit a while and drink tea too.
When and where?
Generally taking place on a monthly basis Saturdays from 10am – 12midday.
Find St Ann’s Community Orchard, through the small pedestrian access gate, 121 Ransom Rd, Nottingham NG3 3LH.
On-Street Parking: Parking is limited so we do encourage visitors to the site to use public transport whenever possible. Free street parking is available along Ransom Road, though spaces can fill up quickly during busy periods or community event days.
Disabled Parking: Limited onsite parking is available specifically for disabled visitors at the site.
You can find out more about the venue and how to get there here
Please note these sessions are for bereaved adults only, and are on offer for those who are bereaved through pregnancy loss or the death of a baby or child. If you are looking for support on a 1-2-1 basis, please make an enquiry about our counselling service here.
If you would like to receive updates on our support sessions you can sign up to Carly’s update emails, sent out monthly. Express your interest at contact@zephyrsnottingham.org.uk and we’ll add you to the mailing list. Alternatively, you can keep up to date with our activity by following any of our social media accounts, by signing up to our general newsletter here or by simply checking in here on our website.
If you have taken part in our sessions and would like to give us feedback or a testimonial, please feel free to send an email to admin@zephyrsnottingham.org.uk to share your experience.