Wild Embers

Wild Embers Wild Embers is a South Devon CIC offering outdoor alternative provision, SEND support, and community programmes for children, young people, and families.

We create spaces where everyone feels seen, supported, and able to thrive.

No two days are ever the same at Wild Embers, and that's just one reason we love doing what we do.Last week alone, our l...
21/05/2026

No two days are ever the same at Wild Embers, and that's just one reason we love doing what we do.

Last week alone, our learners were:

đŸȘ” Repairing a shave horse
🩉 Making wooden owls
✍ Creating carved initials

But while the projects change, one thing always stays the same; our relational approach.

We know that before learning can happen, children need to feel safe, seen, and connected. Many of the young people accessing Alternative Provision have experienced challenges within education, relationships, or the wider world around them. For some, trust in adults and confidence in themselves has been shaken over time.

That’s why relationships come first.

We take the time to build genuine connections, work alongside learners, notice their strengths, and create spaces where they can succeed without fear of failure. Whether it’s carefully measuring timber, learning to safely use tools, fixing something broken, or simply sharing conversation side-by-side while sanding wood. These moments matter.

Alternative Provision is far more than “time out” from school. For many children, it becomes a lifeline and a chance to believe in themselves again.

And sometimes
 that journey starts with a piece of wood, a drill bit, and someone who believes in them.

WE'RE HIRING!(And honestly
 if you’ve got SEND experience and love the outdoors, we want to hear from you ASAP 👀)We're l...
16/05/2026

WE'RE HIRING!

(And honestly
 if you’ve got SEND experience and love the outdoors, we want to hear from you ASAP 👀)

We're looking for bank staff to join our amazing team supporting children and young people with SEND through our outdoor alternative provision.

This is NOT your average role. Think campfires, connection, muddy boots, nature-based learning and experiences, relationship building, creativity, and making a genuine difference every single day.

BUT — and this is important —
✹ Experience of working with children and young people with SEND is an absolute MUST ✹

We’re looking for someone who:

- Understands neurodivergent children and young people
- Can build safe, trusting relationships
- Doesn’t melt in the rain
- Sees behaviour as communication
- Believes outdoor spaces can change lives

If that sounds like you
 don’t wait for the deadline! We’ll be reviewing applications as they come in.

📍 Halwell, nr Totnes
⏰ Flexible days (hours are 9.30am - 4pm)

Full details & application info here:

https://www.wildembers.org/aop-session-worker

Tag someone who’d be PERFECT for this 👇

Proud moment incoming!! Our brilliant TSP learners have made spaghetti from scratch! In recent sessions, our learners h...
10/05/2026

Proud moment incoming!! Our brilliant TSP learners have made spaghetti from scratch!

In recent sessions, our learners have been making fresh pasta by hand, creating rich Bolognese sauce, and whipping up wild garlic butter freshly foraged from site.

And while it might look like “just cooking”, moments like this are building so much more than meals.

They’re building confidence. Independence. Patience. Creativity. Problem-solving. Teamwork. Pride.
Because when a young person realises:
“I made this myself”

something shifts

If they can learn to make spaghetti from scratch now, imagine what they’ll go on to do later in life.

Future chefs? Maybe. 👹‍🍳

Outdoor instructors? Designers? Carpenters? Entrepreneurs? Support workers? Leaders?

Sometimes children just need the opportunity to discover what they’re capable of, away from pressure, labels, and the feeling of getting things “wrong”.

At Wild Embers, we see it all the time:

Give children meaningful experiences, trust them with real skills, and they will surprise you.

Wild Embers is continuing to grow, which means we're on the look out again for more bank staff to take us on the next st...
08/05/2026

Wild Embers is continuing to grow, which means we're on the look out again for more bank staff to take us on the next stage of our journey.

Have you...

đŸ”„Got what it takes to work outside in all weathers.
đŸ”„Got what it takes to work in an emotionally challenging environment.
đŸ”„Got what it takes to work with dysregulated learners.
đŸ”„Got the skills and patience to ensure that learners experience a supportive and positive staff team at all times.

If you've got experience of and an ability to work with children and young people who may have special education needs, social, emotional and mental health needs, and challenging behaviour, and can do this with sensitivity and respect - we want to hear from you!

Apply now: https://www.wildembers.org/aop-session-worker

“How can they learn by just playing and being outdoors?” We hear this question A LOT! But this is exactly how...One of o...
07/05/2026

“How can they learn by just playing and being outdoors?”

We hear this question A LOT! But this is exactly how...

One of our TSP learners has been building a bird box; measuring wood, solving problems, using tools safely, planning ahead, persevering when things didn’t quite fit first time, and learning about wildlife and habitats along the way.

To some, it might just look like outdoor play. But underneath it, real learning is happening.

For many children, especially those who struggle in mainstream education, learning outdoors feels safer, calmer, and more accessible. Without the pressure of a traditional classroom, confidence starts to grow naturally.

Through hands-on outdoor activities, children develop:

- Maths skills through measuring and estimating
- Design & Technology skills through building and creating
- Science knowledge through learning about nature and habitats
- Communication, teamwork and resilience through shared experiences
- Emotional regulation and self-esteem through achievement and connection (the one that actually needs to happen before 'learning' can commence)

Alternative Provision helps us meet children where they are, recognising that learning doesn’t only happen sitting at a desk.

Yes, sometimes learning looks like worksheets, but it looks like muddy sleeves, a hammer in hand, and the pride of building something real ✹

www.wildembers.org

THAT'S A WRAP (for now) 🎬Saturday marked our last SEND Family Day of this National Lottery funded chapter
 and what a da...
27/04/2026

THAT'S A WRAP (for now) 🎬
Saturday marked our last SEND Family Day of this National Lottery funded chapter
 and what a day it was.

Sunshine warmed the site, boots were dusty, and smiles stretched from ear to ear. There was laughter in the air, food shared and cooked over the fire, and the simple magic of families spending time together; feeling safe, supported, and understood.

Martin worked his magic with creating some incredible crafts from wood - thank you Martin, while Mel, Richard, Cam and Veronique were there, offering listening ears, steady shoulders, and genuine care.

These days are so much more than just time outdoors. They are spaces where families of children with SEND can breathe, connect, and feel part of something. And the impact? It’s HUGE.

As this funded period comes to an end, we’re reflecting on just how special and essential these days are. We don’t want them to stop here.

If you’d like to help us continue supporting our SEND Family Days, you can donate here: https://www.wildembers.org/supportus

OR perhaps you might know an organisation or business looking to support a local community interest company like ours. Drop us a DM to let us know.

Thank you to EVERY family who has joined us over the past two years, every smile shared, and every moment that made this journey so meaningful.

If you've attended a SEND Family Day over the years, please drop us a comment to let us know what you loved about it.

From gorse jam to dandelion honey!
can you tell we LOVE making delicious goodies.In our recent sessions, we’ve been maki...
23/04/2026

From gorse jam to dandelion honey!
can you tell we LOVE making delicious goodies.

In our recent sessions, we’ve been making the most of what’s growing all around us, this time turning bright spring dandelions into something gooey and delicious.

After carefully foraging, the group got stuck into the process:

đŸ”„Picking and preparing the petals
đŸ”„Adding simple ingredients
đŸ”„Watching it slowly transform

There really is something powerful about this kind of learning - taking something often overlooked and discovering its value and versatility.

Slowing down, working together, and creating something from the land, builds patience, curiosity, and connection — not just to nature, but to each other.

Following on from our gorse jam making, it’s been amazing to see confidence grow as young people begin to recognise what’s possible in the natural world around them.

What might look like “just a weed”
 has a BIGGER story to tell!

And just like that, Ritson has woken from its winter slumber, and what beautiful sight it is.In just a few short weeks, ...
21/04/2026

And just like that, Ritson has woken from its winter slumber, and what beautiful sight it is.

In just a few short weeks, everything has changed, blossom bursting open, fresh green leaves unfurling, and tiny pockets of life appearing wherever you look.

It’s one of our favourite times of year.

There’s so much to experience through the senses


👀 noticing the small details
🌾 breathing in the soft spring scents
🌿 feeling new growth between your fingers
🐞 spotting life busy at work all around

These moments invite us to slow down, to feel calm, grounded, and connected.

Nature has a way of teaching us — quietly — if we take the time to pause and pay attention.

What have you noticed in nature recently? Pop it below!

Something important is coming
 👀Our next Wild Embers newsletter will be landing soon, and this one includes some **big u...
12/04/2026

Something important is coming
 👀

Our next Wild Embers newsletter will be landing soon, and this one includes some **big updates and changes** .

If you’re not already signed up, now’s the time!

It’s the best way to stay in the loop with what’s happening at Wild Embers, upcoming opportunities, new sessions, and newsletter only content!

Sign up here 👉 https://www.wildembers.org/joinourmailinglist

Address

Wild Embers, Dartington
Totnes

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+447967755357

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Wild Embers posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to Wild Embers:

Shortcuts

Share

Category