The Course

Join us at our heritage craft centre, nestled into the diverse landscape of The Forest of Dean to learn basketry.

Be guided through the ancestral skill of basketry & creating a beautiful asymetric sturdy basket by our willow weaving specialist, Lin.

Lin has spent many years making and teaching willow crafts and is delighted to help more people learn this wonderful craft.

The course will explore explore the use of different varieties of willow and willow preparation. You will then learn how to make basket with a handle, suitable for foraging and harvesting other tasty delights.

This course is suitable for beginners and those who want to continue to hone their basketry skills with the support of a skilled craftsperson and is always a wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable day in great surroundings.

The Workshop

On the day of the workshop we invite to you arrive half an hour early so you can grab a cup of something warm, and get to know Kensley Sheds and The Rewild crew.

The workshop will start at 10:00 and Lin will guide you through the history of basketry, the uses of different willow varieties and help you to start you basket.

After a short comfort break and demonstration, you will continue to weave your berry baskets.

We will break for a wholesome lunch, with ingredients grown from our permaculture allotment (where possible) at 12:45pm. Our kitchen follows pay what you think it is worth principles (bring some cash).

After lunch you will continue to create your baskets with Lin’s specialist support. By the end of the day you will have achieved a stunning basket that will be ideal for foraging a range of delicious wild edibles.

At 4:30pm we will end our workshop and invite you to provide us with any feedback you may have, so we can continue to develop our courses to continue to inspire you in the future.

Please note that this workshop will be run outside so make sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.

The Venue

This course is set at our off-grid woodland craft centre, Kensley Sheds, right in the heart of the beautiful Forest of Dean, situated on the famous Sculpture Trail, close to the Stained Glass Window and Wildlife Trust reserve ‘Woorgreen Lake’.

Kensley Sheds is the home of our Social Forestry Project ‘New Leaf’. Here, local adults who are struggling with social issues come learn & practice new skills. We follow regenerative woodland management practices, to extract and process wood from disused Forestry England coppiced woodland. Here the wood is turned it into functional items, firewood and charcoal, giving people access to new careers and a sense of real community.

Kensley sheds has running water, a flushing disabled access toilet, onsite parking and is heated by wood-burner. You will be able to peruse our extensive library of eco / craft / alternative living books throughout the day

The Rewild Project is delighted to offer craft sessions for young people on the autistic spectrum.

Spectrum Skills sessions are specially designed to allow young people on the spectrum to spend a day learning a craft skills and be accompanied by their families or not, in a way that works for each individual & family.

Willow Weaving

Willow weaving is one of the oldest crafts which traces back at least 10,000 years. It is also one of the most therapeutic and calming crafts with repetitive gentle movements which help to calm the mind whilst keeping hands busy.

This spectrum skills session will be a beginners introduction with some easy willow projects such as willow stars or bird feeders.

About Lin

Lin has been interested in Willow Weaving nearly all her life, and began teaching in the forest 13 year ago, after having a break when she had children. Lin enjoys teaching community groups and keeping this ancient and important skill alive.

SPECTRUM SKILLS SESSIONS

We are parents of young people with autistic traits and diagnosed autism. We know the difficulties families face and we are now delighted to have funding to help others where we had none. If you have any feedback about how we can improve sessions to make these more suitable & accessible for families.

• Each session is limited to 5-6 attendees depending on the craft to keep the environment relatively quiet and calming, to prevent overwhelm.

• We will never put any pressure on anyone to take part.

• There will be 1 craftsperson (trained in supporting young people with autism) and 1 regular Rewild Project support person for continuity at the session and the day will run in a gentle and relaxed rhythm.

On the day

The workshop will be very informal and we welcome you to arrive anytime between 10:30 and 11. This will give you and your young person the chance to settle in, have a drink and snack and get to know the Spectrum Skills Team. At 11:15 we will give you a small introduction about the site and the craftsperson will introduce their craft for the day. Families are free to stay and join the workshop or go for a walk around the site.

The structure of the day is kept casual to suit the needs of the young people attending the workshop. This means if they would like to take a comfort break or have some alone time we will be able to support them in doing this.

We will break for lunch at 12:45pm where we invite the young people and families to sit around and have a natter. This is a great time for everyone to talk about shared experiences and what other exciting Spectrum Skills can provide!

After lunch the young people will continue to carry on with making until 3 where we will end our workshops. Young people are free to leave the workshop earlier or stay a little later to finish what they have made.

About Michelle

Michelle is an author, publisher, and creative, who is obsessed with letterpress printing and everything that goes with it! She has been printing for three years, and in that time has started making her own paper from recycled fabrics, yarns and junk mail, to create unique prints.

She also enjoys many other creative pursuits, including knitting, sewing, crochet, and photography.

Spectrum Skills has been funded by NHS England to enable autistic young people to be supported to learn new skills and have specialist activities suited to their needs.

We are charging £10 nominal booking fee per place - which includes food for family members if they need to stay onsite or close by.

The Venue

This course is set at our off-grid woodland craft centre, Kensley Sheds, right in the heart of the beautiful Forest of Dean, situated on the famous Sculpture Trail, close to the Stained Glass Window and Wildlife Trust reserve ‘Woorgreen Lake’

Kensley Sheds is the home of our Social Forestry Project ‘New Leaf’. Here, local adults who are struggling with social issues come learn & practice new skills. We follow regenerative woodland management practices, to extract and process wood from disused Forestry England coppiced woodland. Here the wood is turned it into functional items, firewood and charcoal, giving people access to new careers and a sense of real community.

Kensley sheds has running water, a flushing disabled access toilet, onsite parking and is heated by wood-burner. You will be able to peruse our extensive library of eco / craft / alternative living books throughout the day

Any questions get in touch..