Renew and Restore in Nature
Supporting people living with cancer
Join us for restorative, fun and uplifting sessions all rooted in nature, on our beautiful community-owned organic farm. Sessions run fortnightly Fridays 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Our Renew and Restore programme is open to all and will include a wide range of activities, evolving around your feedback.
You could experience an introduction to photography, cooking, try your hand at bush craft around the camp fire, join a foraging walk or a conservation task, create art inspired by nature, or perhaps enjoy just a gentle amble through our woodland and a cup of tea.
We guarantee a friendly space, where you can dip in and out of what suits you on the day.
The Fordhall Community Land Initiative is really excited to be working with funders Lingen Davies Cancer Trust to deliver this diverse programme of free support for people living with cancer.
Launched in May 2024 and running to the end of the year, you can attend as many sessions as you like to create a bespoke programme to suit you.
The base for all the sessions will be our stunning ecologically-built Straw Lodge, with sweeping views across the Tern Valley.
Whilst the majority of sessions will take place outdoors your comfort is our priority, therefore the Straw Lodge offers a retreat space during each session.
What can I expect?
10:30am
Arrival for a welcome brew, get to know us or chat with friends.
11am
You can choose to: Join your chosen activity; Take a gentle amble around the farm with a friendly Fordhall host or Relax at base.
1pm
Return to base for a cuppa and to regroup with friends.
1:30pm
Session ends. Head off home or spend more time exploring the farm, maybe visit the café or farm shop.
We know that treatment can have its ups and downs. Therefore, if you book an activity, but on the day, you don’t quite feel up to it, we will be flexible.
You can always change your mind and stay at base or join the amble.
Similarly, if you want to dip in and out of an activity, that is also perfectly fine. These days and experiences are here for you.
Drinks will be provided, and you are very welcome to bring any food or drink with you from home you’d like to have with you.
Upcoming sessions
Due to small group sizes, attendance always needs to be booked in advance.
Your health - if you have any concerns regarding the suitability of these activities please contact your GP before attending.
- 6th June 2025 - Summer Amble - Join us for an amble with one of our board members and wildlife trust expert, as we explore Fordhall and its surroundings.
- 20th June 2025 - Summer Solstice - Be part of welcoming summer to Fordhall through a mixture of music, song and a session full of fun.
- 4th July 2025 - Felting on the farm - Using the landscape that Fordhall provides, come along and learn the beautiful art of felting led by a wonderful local artist, Maxine Smith. During the session, you will get the chance to create an individual felting scene to be framed and taken home.
- 18th July 2025 - Exploring raw foods - This will be a hands on session including creating smoothies, with a competition for the best designed flavour. Learn the art of apple pressing and all creations are able to be taken home.
- 1st August 2025 - Outdoor cooking
- 15th August 2025 - River dipping
- 5th September 2025 - All things Bee's and Honey - we have the lovely Alison from 'Alisonsbeeclass' leading the session and sharing her knowledge of all things Bees. The session will involve the opportunity to learn about Bee keeping, honey and beeswax and you will be able to get hands on in making two candles per attendee.
- 19th September 2025 - Butchery session (details TBC)
- 3rd October 2025 - Cooking with Chef
- 17th October 2025 - Autumn Amble
- 31st October 2025 - Samhain
- 7th November 2025 - Yoga with Curly Yogi - The wonderful Debbie will be returning to deliver a session in our Strawlodge. Making use of the darker skylight, it will be a very calming and serene base - think twinkly lights for a very mindful and calming session
- 21st November 2025 - Reiki and crafts
- 5th December 2025 - Winter Wreath - we will be making individual winter wreaths to hang on your front door for the season
- 19th December 2025 - Celebration
- 16th January 2026 - session details TBC
We will publish more session information here as we progress though the year and tailor the sessions based on feedback of our attendees.