Set at the heart of a beautiful woodland just a few miles outside of Alfreton is a project dedicated to providing hands-on outdoor experiences to people with additional support needs.

Craft Wood CIC offers inclusive and engaging activities for children, adults and young people who have a social services personal budget.

The organisation will be hosting an Open Day on Saturday (May 7) where people can experience the woods and find out more about what’s on offer at Craft Wood.

Ahead of the Open Day, we asked Thomas Erskine, from the project, to tell us more about what’s on offer.

He said…

“The idea came from working in the walled garden in Alfreton Park with adults with support needs. I run a green wood work group there and wanted to set up an independent project that offers hands on opportunities in a more integrated environment.

“The activities we offer are light woodland management, green wood work, conservation and habitat making, outdoor cooking and nature crafts.

“The benefits of the session are improved health and wellbeing, increased independence, the chance to learn new skills and the fresh air and space of being outside – something many of us found the value of during the pandemic. Just being outdoors is a tonic in itself.

“At present we are set up to accept people with a social services personal budget. We are hoping to be establishing a green social prescribing group soon – where people will be able to be referred via their GP.

“We are also looking at how we can be a wider community resource and the upcoming open days are an opportunity for people to come in a visit a wonderful and special place, and make suggestions especially around how we can improve our local environment, and also what other groups we could run.”

Craft Wood is located off Inns Lane, close to South Wingfield.

You can find out more about the Open Day here: https://alfreton.spiritof.uk/event/craft-wood-cic-open-day/.

You can find out more about Craft Wood CIC here: http://craftwood.org.uk/.