Testimonials
"The experience was very valuable and informative for the children. We look forward to much further work at Wyldwoods in the future. The experiences provide a valuable opportunity for us to promote our commitment to take learning outside the classroom".
Lindsey Andrews
Head teacher of Much Wenlock Primary School
These are my honest and straightforward thoughts about Wyldwoods.
Wyldwoods is a place that combines a number of therapeutic offices into one holistic whole, in my opinion.
The location, at first seeming to be a negative aspect, due to its isolation, quickly shows its benefit. There is an aura of peaceful seclusion from the tiresome and the mundane, a place of quietude and tranquility, that somehow manages to disengage itself from the normal noise and frustrations that are inherent in life, and in the minds of those who need its remedial care.
In itself, this would be a Good Thing, a stimulus to creativity that excludes the everyday grind of fighting with one's own self. Yet, the atmosphere of creativity goes further; it enables one to concentrate on the therapy of making, of owing, even of being. This promotes a better sense of well-being and self-assurance, and causes one to relax without the mind-numbing tedium of 'relaxation therapy', almost imperceptibly. It is not until the end of a session at Wyldwoods that one realises the difference between self-upon-arrival, and self-upon-leaving!
The activities themselves are geared, it seems, to the enjoyment of the natural spirit; working with greenwood, tending livestock, creating words, pictures, models, art. All these things fill a spiritual vacuum, that yearning to be side by side with the natural and the supra natural parts of ourselves.
The staff could easily be controlling, keeping a lid on behaviours that could disrupt and break the peacefulness that seems so carefully crafted; yet, by accepting these behaviours, they draw no attention to them, and so it is as if Wyldwoods itself brings the authority in a natural way. It seems like freedom, but not anarchy; the place has some way of imbuing one with its own sense of self-discipline.
Having been through 'art therapy' and suchlike, the unforced atmosphere of calm and peace comes as a delight. No obvious attempt at therapeutic treatment, just allowing creativity and calm do its healing work.
There are things that could be improved, no doubt. Yet, there is no sense in which the shortcomings - small though they might be - irk or annoy, or even manage to intrude upon the hours spent there; hours which, like all good hours, seem to lazily drift by, but catch one unawares at the speed at which they pass.
Places like Wyldwoods - but Wyldwoods in particular - are analgesia for the mind and spirit. To the troubled, it offers peace, to the depressed it offers hopeful activity. It offers much more than drugs - for all their android efficiency and efficacy - ever could, because it helps to give a stronger sense of self than drugs do. It helps to invigorate through activity, quicken through creativity. It is the kind of place that can truly heal, given the time and the support. It gives to the dispossessed meaning and hope, while being fun, and being effortlessly friendly, especially needful during these times of uncertainty and doubt.”
Roger
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