Testimonials
In January I had a fantastic opportunity, through The Bridgnorth SEN Support Group, for my children, Joseph who is 6 and has Cerebral Palsy, and Hannah, 4, to undertake an outdoor activity course at Wyldwoods, in a beatiful smallholding-type woodland setting in Broseley. The course was run by Steph Brett, Director of Wyldwoods, who is a fantastic lady dedicated to her cause. We were lucky enough to attend every Saturday for 3 months, along with about 4 other families and their children. In that time Joseph and Hannah enjoyed many outdoor activities such as building wooden bird boxes from scratch, planting new hedgerows, caring for small animals such as chickens, guiniepigs and rabbits, making 'hazel hurdle' type fencing, having a campfire and toasting marshmellows, planting potatoes and other vegetables and seeds. We also went on some lovely walks though the surrounding Woodland which the children loved. On one occasion we actually collect up to 10 bags of rubbish and litter scattererd round the woodland, which Joseph and Hannah were very proud of. A valuable lesson learnt in caring for the Environment I think!Our base every Saturday was a 16ft Yurt (a circular tent which was very warm and cosy with the central woodburning stove!), which we took breaks in to eat our lunch and take a well-earned break from the cold and frosty mornings. It also provided a safe place for any of the children who just needed some time out, if it all got a bit too much. The children also completed lots of art projects in one of the outside stables which had been converted for this purpose, which included making a collage out of things they had collected on a woodland walk. Joseph and Hannah particularly enjoyed cleaning out and feeding the chickens and small animals at Wyldwoods and Hannah was very proud of herself when she held a chicken all by herself, a moment I don't imagine she will forget in a hurry!.
We live in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. I am not aware of any out-of-school activity courses which are aimed at special needs children and their families. I believe that Steph Brett, Director (and a flippin good mentor!), is constantly struggling to get outward funding to continue the Wyldwoods project. It would be a crying shame if Steph could not continue her work and more opportunities like we had, could not be forthcoming to other special needs children and young adults.
I have made some firm friends through the course at Wyldwoods. For me it was a great opportunity to be amongst other special needs families who face the daily problems that caring for a special needs child brings. It was nice to be in an atmosphere that didn't 'judge' and one which you felt comfortable in. I am sure Joseph and Hannah will not forget their experiences at Wyldwoods for a long time. I only hope we can return one day soon so the children can see the 'fruits of their labour'.
A fantastic opportunity, which myself, and my children are already missing".
Margaret Osborne