YMCA Shaping Spaces

29/08/2024

29/08/2024

Summer 2024. Together we've sat with the wood as it has ripened from midsummer flamboyance to August fulness and the start of the harvest. We've watched butterflies flutter, beetles crawl, spiders sit, and birds flit. We've listened to grasshoppers rasp, trees sigh in the breezes, and birds sing and chatter - and we've done a fair bit of chattering ourselves! We've made and used onion skin ink, cooked bannocks (rather burnt as the fire was too hot), explored by both walking and by sitting listening and looking, we've tasted, touched, and sniffed. We've enjoyed both hot and cool weather, damp and dry, and started preparing for winter by refurbishing a woodstore then cutting wood to store for winter fires and warmth. We've woven grasses, made pictures from sunlight on photosensitive paper, taken photographs, doodled, searched for colours and textures, and made 'journey sticks'.

But mostly, we've found peace, calm, and friendship amongst the restful greens of nature. A place of safety where we are free just to be without fear of rejection or judgement. A shaping space where we can explore our true selves and smooth out some of the wrinkles and dints modern living leaves us with. Our space.

This is my last write up as I'm taking a career break. Shaping Spaces 16-25 and All Ages will continue but will be slightly different as programmes such as these run best when based on the personalities, strengths and interests of those facilitating them. But nature and the green spaces remain as inspiring and restful as always and there is still so much to discover and enjoy.

Rachel

02/07/2024

June has been another wonder-full month of exploring the woods. We've been spoilt for choice with grasses and insects to get to know, colours, textures and scents to tantalise our senses, sun paper pictures to create, poems to write, sorting tree guards, and so much more.

31/05/2024

During May we've been exploring the woods, watching spring really take over with all the lush greens, beautiful blossoms, colourful flowers and fascinating shapes in nature. We've looked out for nests and listened to baby birds. We've made ink from oak galls and drawn with it using natural brushes. We've made tea from Scotts Pine needles, gathered around the fires we made, toasted marshmallows, listened to the birds' spring chorus, discovered new things about trees, sheltered from rain, investigated wierd fungi (I didn't know there are slime fungi!), been surprised that smoke from pine wood seems to make us cough less, eyes hardly water and possibly makes us feel better. Plus, we've enjoyed each other's company.

I can't wait for June!!!

30/04/2024

Our 16-25 group has been quite creative recently as we explored making art with found natural materials. We loved the resulting work and celebrated with hot drinks and popcorn cooked on the Kelly Kettle fire.

21/03/2024

Last week with our All Ages group we spent time moving wood piles. This have us plenty of opportunities to look closely at a number of fungi and to smell the different scents from the wood and soil. A very sensual experience. Plus we lit a fire together to keep us warm over lunch. And saw a beautiful rainbow!

12/03/2024

📣 Join us for a free workshop on in partnership with Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies (NHS).

💭 As has a big impact on our wellbeing, learn common sleep problems and practical suggestions to improve sleep, as well as information about local and national resources for further support.

📌 Open to all, no need to register, just turn up on the day at Park View Court, Shipley. For any queries, please email 📧 [email protected]

06/02/2024

Our wellbeing programme is for 16–25 year olds in the Bradford area who want to get outside, make friends, and improve their wellbeing. Participants will spend time with a small group of young adults in beautiful green spaces around Bradford, improving wellbeing, increasing social interaction, and building connection with nature, each other and with self.

We support participants to:
- build new friendships
- increase their confidence and self-esteem
- Connect more with nature and themselves
- improve their personal wellbeing
- gain tools to enable them to maintain their wellbeing after the programme
- develop their future plans and life skills

The programme runs on Wednesdays during the day.

To apply for a place, please follow this link and complete the form https://forms.gle/FVK2LrpCm6SvFvfy7

Or for more information, please contact Rachel Deadman by email ( [email protected] ) or by phone on 01274 371304.

18/01/2024

Shaping Spaces All Ages is a programme run by BEES (Bradford Environmental Education Service), part of YMCA Bradford. BEES specialises in environmental education and practical conservation work around the Bradford district and, over 30+ years, has encouraged hundreds of people to get out, connect with nature and support our local wildlife. Through this many have found that they feel calmer and their spirits lift when in green spaces. Recognising the health benefits of being in nature, BEES set up Shaping Spaces Wellbeing programme for young adults in 2019, which proved very beneficial for the participants and paved the way for us to continue to develop this work.

Our new Shaping Spaces All Ages programme, for people aged 18 and over, is a blend of BEES wellbeing and conservation work. For about three hours on Thursdays, participants and two staff will work on light conservation or environmental tasks whilst also spending time together enjoying a beautiful local green space. The project will work with small groups of people who are wanting to learn new skills, make new connections and improve their wellbeing, learn about conservation and nature, and keep active whilst doing something positive for wildlife and for Bradford. Staff will create a safe and welcoming space for all and will take time to explain what we are doing so that everyone is clear about what is expected of them. No experience of conservation or practical work is necessary but participants should be willing to be outside in rain and shine, heat and cold.

To apply for a place, please follow this link and complete the form https://forms.gle/FVK2LrpCm6SvFvfy7

07/12/2023

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have this exciting opportunity open to local young people who are into nature and the environment. It will be a great team to be part of!

01/11/2023

Young Ambassadors roles have now gone live for 4 weeks until 20/11/2023. Links to the job / application can be accessed via the link below:

https://bradford.engageats.co.uk/Vacancies/W/5685/0/406587/15138/youth-support-worker-jnc-5-564246

This is a great opportunity for young people aged 16-25 years!

18/10/2023

We have been granted funding by the Big Lottery Community Fund to run a wellbeing and nature-based activity programme for adults!!

If you are interested in joining our Steering Group to help us design and trial this new adventure, please contact Rachel.