Hope In Nature - Forest School

15/10/2026

🌿 EXCITING NEWS! FAMILIES GOING WILD IS COMING BACK TO HALTWHISTLE! 🌿

I’m excited to share that Hope in Nature will be taking over the care of Families Going Wild in Haltwhistle, bringing more opportunities for families to connect with nature, explore the outdoors and enjoy some wild adventures together! 🍃🪵🐾

A huge thank you to Stomping Grounds Forest School North East for handing over Families Going Wild to Hope in Nature and for being so supportive of this next chapter. It really means a lot! 💚

🌱 So, what happens next?

I’m currently waiting to hear back from funding applications, which will hopefully allow me to offer affordable sessions for local families. All being well, I’m hoping to get things up and running in January! 🤞

But I’d love your help to shape what comes next!

🌳 What would you like to see?

• Family Forest School sessions with plenty of outdoor fun and exploration?
• Den building, fire lighting, crafts and woodland adventures?
• More bushcraft and traditional crafting activities?
• Opportunities for adults to enjoy some time outdoors too?
• Guided nature walks to get us started while we wait for funding?

I’m keen to explore different options, so please let me know what would interest you. There’s no better way to build something special than by listening to the people who will be coming along and making our community.

💚 One little question for you…

What do you think is a reasonable price for a 3-hour outdoor session? I want to make sessions as accessible as possible while ensuring Hope in Nature can continue to grow and provide brilliant experiences for our community.

Drop your thoughts in the comments, or send me a message. I’d love to hear from you!

Here’s to more muddy boots, fresh air, woodland adventures and a little more Hope in Nature! 🌿✨

15/10/2026

13/10/2026

08/10/2026

🍂 OCTOBER HALF TERM ACTIVITY CLUB – BOOKINGS NOW OPEN! 🍂

Join us at The Threshing Barn for two days of creativity, outdoor adventures, movement and fun!

With Amanda from Green Croft Arts and Em from Hope in Nature, we'll be getting creative, exploring the outdoors and making new friends.

🌿 Nature-inspired arts and crafts
🏮 Willow lantern making for the Gilsland Lantern Parade
🧘 Yoga, dance and movement games
🔥 Campfire cooking and outdoor adventures
🎨 Child-led creative play and relaxation

There's something for everyone, with plenty of opportunities to explore, create and play at their own pace.

📍 The Threshing Barn, Gilsland
⏰ 10am–3pm each day

🎟️ Paid places: £25 for one day / £45 for both days

💚 FREE HAF places available for eligible children attending Northumberland schools who receive benefits-related free school meals. These must be booked through the Northumberland Holiday Activities Portal.

Includes all activities, materials, healthy snacks and a freshly prepared lunch.

Places are limited, so book early!

👉 Book paid places through Green Croft Arts website: https://www.greencroftarts.co.uk/whatson

We can't wait to welcome everyone for some half-term fun! 🍁

08/10/2026

Looking for something exciting and enriching for the kids over half term? Hope in Nature is once again collaborating with Greencroft Arts to offer half term activity days. Please see the poster below for full details and booking.

17/09/2026

So exciting news….. Hope in Nature is now a registered Community Interest Company. This is a form of social enterprise intended for people wishing to establish businesses which trade with a social purpose or for the benefit of the community. It’s the next step in achieving our purpose of setting up a forest school environment in Greenhead to benefit children and families in the west Northumberland and Cumbria area.

Next steps are to secure the plot of land we hope to use and to get applications in for funding to allow us to continue providing Haltwhistle Forest School Sessions for under 7’s and home educated young people. So fingers crossed on those points and watch this space for updates.

08/09/2026

04/09/2026

Outdoor play isn’t “extra”. It’s essential.

Playing outside involves balancing, learning, exploring, problem-solving, and taking healthy risks. Nature gives children the space to learn in the ways they’re wired to learn best!