What We Offer
The elder tribe is open to individuals aged 60+ who would like to engage with others, develop new skills, and reconnect with nature. If you or someone you know would benefit from becoming part of the Kinda Elder Tribe, please reach out to us.
We engage with projects through each term, for example the 2024 project was working with clay from the land creating and firing in a pit (see the video WHEREVER IT IS!). Other project examples are:
- Woodland husbandry - participating in woodland management in Kaliwoods, for example coppicing, creating hurdles, dead hedging
- Land management and conservation - we have the fortune of being part of the recent planting of 17 acres of land adjacent to the wood, with 6,000 trees. Witnessing and recording it’s changes, getting involved in the creation of a community and forest garden, along with an area of agroforestry.
- Crafting and greenwood working - working with draw knives, making natural dyes
- Observation and learning - through words or drawing
- We welcome specialist visitors for example Neil who takes us on a fungi foray, spoon carving with Jason, making archery bows
- Sharing stories and experiences of our lives and life events.
- Outings - some of us are involved in exhibitions (eg art and music) outside of the wood to which we as a community venture.
All is good for our own well-being and our sense of belonging to a community.
Our Approach
Elders in the woods is run by 3-4 facilitators, with diverse skills themselves for example weaving, dyeing, sewing, drawing, making music, singing.
We are a community! Here we have a network of support among tribe members, fostering lasting relationships.
Past Elders in the Woods
In 2021 we started with an 8 week prototype which was so successful we have not stopped since. Working with the support of the Pear Tree Fund, sometimes mixing elders with children from other tribes, we’ve had a blast. Here is some of our story.
Elders Weaving the woods 1 2021
Elders Weaving in the woods 2 2021
Elders Wellbeing in the woods 1 2022
Testaments and outcomes
2023 Elders wellbeing in the woods
https://kindaforestschool.com/elders-testaments/
What the Elders say:
“Forest School has been the most wonderful thing that has happened to me for a very long time. All the things that I thought I had lost forever in my youth, the open air, nature, birds, woods, crafts – spinning, weaving, dying wool with plants, I have now found again, being brought to me by the Forest School.”
“To my shame being at the woods is the longest time in the week that I am outside in the fresh air, sometimes that was down to the weather but mostly it was there was no incentive to go outside but the woods meet is regular and I know I will meet friends who will inspire me to make more of my time! It is achieving for me what it was designed for which was to get my up and go back! I am much better in my self now all these months on because of the woods and the Pear Tree centre! Much of my problem was the mental side of things and that has improved greatly!”
Spring 2025 dates
Last year, 2024, our story is here (the year of galls, samhain, and – of course -clay with
Tamlin)
March 13 – The scientists
March 20 – Pond life
March 27
April 3
April 10
April 17 - EASTER
April 24
May 1
May 8
May 15
May 22
May 29 HALF TERM
June 5
June 12
June 19
June 26
END OF TERM
AUTUMN TERM
Sept 11
Sept 18
Sept 25
Oct 2
Oct 9
Oct 16
Oct 23
Oct 30 Samhain
Nov 6
Nov 13
Nov 20
Nov 27
Dec 4
Dec 11
Elders Tribe
A unique opportunity for Elders tribe to engage with crafts and nature in Kaliwoods, Holton.
Now in our 6th year, we welcome anyone who'd like to come to the woods. We meet every Thursday from 12 noon for light lunch cooked over the fire, to work or play from 1 to 3 pm.
Who We Support
The elder tribe is open to individuals aged 60+ who would like to engage with others, develop new skills, and reconnect with nature. If you or someone you know would benefit from becoming part of the Kinda elder tribe, please reach out to us.