This week long event at Glencanisp Lodge (nr. Lochinver, Scotland) is an exploration of the transformative power of nature, landscape and sense of place through creative writing and gentle outdoor experiences.   The week will help participants to renew and deepen their creativity and to re-awaken their sense of self, by immersing in the glorious environment of Assynt and the north-west Highlands of Scotland.

The workshop is for anyone who likes to write or has aspirations to write about their deeper connection to self and nature, and anyone who is interested in the transformational power of nature.  Participants will be guided through a range of creative activities set in the natural surrounds of Glencanisp Lodge.  Writing exercises, games, quiet times and sharing will combine with activities in the outdoors that are designed to evoke a closer connection to nature and a deeper sense of self.  The workshop will deliver at a relaxed pace, with opportunities to respond spontaneously to weather events and wildlife sightings.  Assynt has been inhabited (if sparsely) for thousands of years, and a key aspect of the week will be to explore how people and landscape can be mutually enriching and to feel ourselves as creative elements of the natural world.

The facilitators for this workshop are our own Nick Ray and author and poet Mandy Haggith.  Workshop duration is 5:00 p.m. Saturday 30th October 2010 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday 6th November 2010.

Workshop Fees

Residential: £750 per person

Non-residential: £550 per person

For further information on this wonderful opportunity click here to download the course brochure or to book your place, please contact Mandy Haggith – Top Left Corner, 95 Achmelvish, Lochinver IV27 4JB.   Phone 01571 844020 or email tlc@topleftcorner.org

We do hope you can join us.

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I am running the next wellbeing walk on Saturday August 14th.

We will walk from the Hatch pub in Colemans Hatch (on the Ashdown Forest) at 1.30. Meet in the car park. Its about a 5 minute drive off the A22 at Wych Cross.

If anyone would like to join us for a coffee or lunch, meet at 12.00 at the Hatch: The pub is popular and it can be impossible to get a table if we arrive later.

As always:

• we’ll walk in a leisurely way
• Do take time to notice whats around you, the forest is a sensual place with sounds, smells as well as visual beauty, and the soils underfoot are varied.
• If the weather is warm enough we’ll take time to sit quietly or have a chat.
• We’ll probably aim for two and a half miles, but in Summer we can spend a lot of time enjoying being on the forest and not moving fast, so we may be 2 or 3 hours

If any one wants to talk with me for ten minutes or so on stress or wellbeing, ask: let me know in advance if you’d like to.

We don’t charge, any one who wants to is welcome to make a donation which will be shared equally between the Wilderness Foundation UK and Wildheart Foundation (in process).

For further information visit http://www.wildheartconsulting.co.uk/

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Weather patterns are changing and the forecast is for more extreme climatic events, warmer and wetter winters and hotter drier summers.  Essex is already the driest county, so it is almost inevitable that gardening styles will need to adapt and the plants we use will change.

The new “Choices” garden, created at Brook End Gardens, was designed and built by young people from across the borough thanks to GreenPrints funding from SITA Trust.    The successful bid was made by local environmental action youth group impACT, a project of experiential learning organisation the Wilderness Foundation UK.

impACT ran a series of workshops engaging the creativity and enthusiasm of the talented young people in our community, ranging from school classes to Scouts, Cubs and Guides, as well as older students from Writtle College, and it was their suggestions and ideas that influenced the overall design of the new garden.  Everyone involved then set to work, transforming a previously lawned area within Brook End Gardens into a beautiful new sustainable garden for the community to enjoy visiting.  The ultimate aim is that people will learn from visiting the garden and be able to takeaway a variety of ideas ranging from plants that can be kept quite happily with little watering, through to which materials to use when creating a new pathway.

The whole project was supported by Chelmsford Borough Council who provided the land and also supported the young people with choosing the most appropriate planting for the scheme.  CBC will be responsible for the care and maintenance of the garden going forward, but young people will continue to play apart of the scheme, with the

introduction of trees later in the year and also bulb planting activities.

Richard Corby of the Wilderness Foundation UK said:

“We are delighted to have played a part in the creation of this stunning new garden for the people of Chelmsford. impACT is a youth-led group and I think that they, together with a wide range of young people from our borough, have demonstrated not only that they care about their local environment but that they are also are prepared to put in the hard work needed to highlight the issues that concern them, particularly around our changing climate. The end result that they have produced is something that we can all be proud of.”

The garden was formally opened on Monday 19th July 2010 by the Deputy Mayor of Chelmsford.  Members of the public are be able to visit the new garden within the opening hours of Brook End Gardens.

Related posts:

1. Making Chelmsford a Greener Place to Live – impACT
2. WILD9 – World Wilderness Congress
3. Climate change and wildlife conservation: crisis or opportunity?

• Sales and Purchase Ledgers;
• Bank, Cash and Fund Reconciliations;
• Preparation of financial reports for the Trustees;
• Preparation of accounts to trial balance;

Candidates will need previous experience in a similar bookkeeping or accounting post and be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office.   Experience of MS Accounting Professional would be an advantage, but full training will be provided.   Good communication and teamwork skills are essential.

Appointment will be subject to an Enhanced CRB check due to the nature of the work that the charity undertakes.

Hours: Two mornings a week (8 hours total).   Pay: £10:00 per hour.

This is a permanent part-time post.

Written applications with CV to:

Richard Corby

The Wilderness Foundation UK

47-49 Main Road

Broomfield

CHELMSFORD

Essex

CM1 7BU

Or email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk

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The Wilderness Foundation UK, based in Chelmsford is seeking a part-time project co-ordinator for its TurnAround project, a 12 month programme which works with small groups of vulnerable and challenging youth in Mid and South Essex.

The aim of the programme is to assist the young people to make positive life choices and overcome barriers to social inclusion and financial self sufficiency. Each programme includes one or more wilderness trails, monthly skills workshops & activity days, one-to-one mentoring by community volunteers and coaching for job seeking & further education.

The candidate will be involved in all aspects of planning and execution of the programme and will be the primary contact with the youth, families, mentors and agencies as well as maintaining appropriate records and statistics.

The position is based in Chelmsford, but some travel is involved, therefore own transport will be necessary. Working hours will be 16-20 hrs per week, for approximately 12 months, with occasional evening and weekend work. Payment will be on a per-hour basis and is negotiable, based on experience and qualifications.

The position would suit an experienced, freelance youth worker with an interest in outdoor activities, good organizational abilities and excellent communication skills. Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding issues and an enhanced CRB clearance are essential.

Click here to download a Job Description for this post

Click here to download a Person Specification for this post

If you are interested in applying for this position please send full details and your current C.V. to :

Jo Roberts, Chief Executive, The Wilderness Foundation UK, 47-49 Main Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7BU, or by e-mail to info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk

Closing date for applications is July16th 2010, with interviews commencing the week of 7th August 2010.

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As Greenpeace said on Radio 4 yesterday, no offshore windfarm would have the same catastrophic environmental disaster  as the oil spill has evoked….and they are right…of course. What really makes me mad followed another recent article that highlighted the fact that there was not enough  forward planning put into the recovery of disaster situations in advance by oil companies, or proper risk management in the case of a spill. One has to seriously question the ethics of  agreement to this kind of risky exploration,  and the responsibility given for the natural environment, and the care needed to make sure that all damage is risk managed well in advance or planning rejected.

Focus on extraction not redemption is my guess as to the reasons why. But then this is the same issue for the on shore wind energy companies, some of whom have no built in restoration budget for when they need to de-commission their turbines. What was their life of a turbine again…25 years?  And then what?  Probably, and this is the cynic in me speaking, the land will have been so desecrated by the infrastructure of roads for the management of the turbines that planning departments will have no compunction to avoid development of housing and other progressional initiatives, depending of course on what you deem ‘progress’ to be. A slow industrialisation of the wild parts of the island may well ensue.

All this of course relates to  wind farms established in areas of outstanding natural beauty or of wild land value. I have no issue with development on development. I do have a deep issue however with the violation of last remaining tracts of wildness that are destroyed by technologies that have yet to be total proven.  Hmmm…back to the old risk issue again and the what is good for us, versus what is good for nature battle, most often decided in the depths of Government departments in the cities, rather than on the ground with the view of the landscape affected in front of them. It has echoes of the Galipolli of the environmental peat bog  battles.

And what else was new ? Lake Tankanyika has been discovered to have an ongoing temperature rise from the time that researchers were able to get back, to something like 500BC, which is pretty extraordinary. But they say that the vast hikes in temperature over the last forty years or so is definitely caused by human activity….what outcomes for fish…and those that feed on them…not only the bird life – but humans as well. It does not bode well.

And then discussions by the IPCC yesterday mentioned that actually humans have not made a huge impact on climate change after all…I am so confused….and I am really interested and reasonably well informed. What about the poor blighter who is relying on the environmental specialists to give balanced information?  I must admit that my instinct takes me to join the Lake Tanganyika team and not the others. Hope I am wrong. But whomsoever caused the problem does not take away the fact that we have a problem. Lets put energy into solving that than finding who is at fault. That comes later when the energy (sic) is there to do it. And that takes us back  full circle. The tragedy of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Someone described the oil as looking like melted chocolate. What an analogy with something that makes you feel good and is sweet. There is nothing sweet about this.

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“Our combined expertise and knowledge about wilderness and leadership spans many decades making our nature-nurture programmes beyond compare.” – Gary Waterworth Owen (Lengthen Your Stride Ltd.)

In celebration of 2010 International Year of Biodiversity, we have pleasure in announcing the launch of a new initiative – “REAL Journeys” (Responsible and Environmentally Aware Leadership Journeys) delivered in partnership with Lengthen Your Stride Ltd.

• REAL Journeys are unique Nature-Nurture experiences dedicated to preserving wilderness and transforming lives.
• REAL Journeys are about real, life-changing experiences, addressing real issues in the real world.
• REAL Journeys inspire with real-world leadership on key sustainability and responsible development issues, sharpen and hones personal leadership skills and increase self-awareness about global citizenship.

Our ten day REAL Journey is conducted in Sinai.  It starts at the Red Sea and continues through desert and mountains, wide wadi’s (dry river beds), valleys and canyons and oasis.

You will be visiting and learning about:

• Mountain Gardening
• Medicinal Herbs
• Camels and how to ride them
• Ancient Sacred Sites
• Constellations
• Culture
• Cooking
• And by now means least – coral!
  

REAL Journeys programme content consists of the following learning modules:

• THIRST Things First
• Roots, Shoots and Fruits
• Lengthen Your Stride and Walk Your Talk
• The Map is Not the Territory
• Culture Conscious Conservation
• Heal the Rift
• LifeMAPLegacy

Via these short journeys in Sinai with the aid of a ‘ResponseAble Backpack’ of unique maps and tools participants are motivated and inspired to return home and embed effective and innovative routes to responsibility and sustainability in their organizations, companies and communities.

REAL Journeys – codependent on diverse cultures, aims to literally change your view of the planet, people and prosperity, increase awareness about climate change, biodiversity, water conservation and food security, enhance respect and responsibility, identify common values, break down stereotypes, build mutually supporting teams, improve understanding and communication, and in collaboration with corporate social responsibility commitment – support local communities.

For more information about itineraries, costs and dates – e-mail: jo@wildernessfoundation.org.uk or for an informal chat about how you or your company can participate in REAL Journeys, call: + 44 (0) 1245 443073

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The philosophy and work of WFUK attracts the support of those who believe in a better world. For over 30 years, we have been helping individuals and groups experience the irreplaceable quality of wilderness as a positive force for social and environmental sustainability. They benefit from nature’s significant contribution to the discovery of identity, perspective as well as leadership training and development (see below for a recap on our current projects).

People involved with WFUK believe that connecting with wild places and taking action as an individual has a positive and important impact on a global level.

We, like many small charities, are facing a very challenging year – but with your support we can continue to make a difference.

WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THIS PIONEERING AND CRUCIAL WORK TO CHANGE LIVES AND SAVE WILD PLACES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

JUST TAKE YOUR PICK FROM THE LIST OF IDEAS BELOW AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU CAN HELP:

• 30 ideas to help WFUK raise funds and spread the word from tea parties to car boots

If that all sounds too energetic then here are 6 easy ways that you can do something NOW

• Support WFUK by taking out a one year subscription £25 (£10 concession) >>>
• eBay auction – why not sell some of your unwanted items and donate the proceeds >>>
• Sponsor Tom and Andy cycling their way around the world for WFUK >>>
• Sign up for a Simply Fundraising prepaid debit card >>>
• Shop online with The Giving Machine >>>
• A no-nonsense, straight forward donation – large or small >>>

Here are just some of the highlights of the Wilderness Foundation’s activity

Education and Leadership

Direct experience of nature rekindles deep connections with the natural world inspiring incredible journeys of self development.  WFUK’s personalised wilderness trails transform lives from school and community groups to corporate and political leaders.

Health and Wellbeing, Peace and Reconciliation

The wilderness experience is a powerful tool for social and individual change.  WFUK works with vulnerable young people,  victims of conflict and communities facing health and social challenges across Europe and Africa.  We cross religious and political divides and bring people together in wilderness where a sense of nature, common humanity, understanding and existence come to the fore.

Wilderness Therapy

Wilderness Therapy is a positive experience where individuals develop through their contact with nature and adventure. A range of experiential therapeutic programmes take place in natural, wild, or remote outdoor settings.

These programmes provide either counselling, psychotherapy, or therapeutic facilitation, but always offer an authentic connection with nature evoking personal change through increased self-awareness, interdependence, recovery, and personal growth.

Whatever you do, please do something, so that we can continue to work for Wilderness, Wildlife and People.

Thank you

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Scotland

Wilderness Solo

16^th – 20^th September 2010

£475.53

Have you a desire to experience an extended period of true solitude in a wild place but feel apprehensive about venturing out alone?

Language… has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone. ~ Paul Johannes Tillich, The Eternal Now

The Wilderness Foundation UK is offering a group of up to ten individuals the opportunity to take this personal step, venturing right out of your usual comfort zone, whilst being supported by professional outdoor leaders and facilitators so that you can feel safe at the same time.

We will begin the five day wilderness solo with a day and a night together in a remote bothy in the Scottish Highlands. Here we can take the first steps to understanding ourselves more clearly, learning about what holds us back in life from doing things alone, and having time to prepare for the solo experience.

The next two days and nights will be spent camping solo at an agreed site some distance from the bothy.

The idea of the programme is that you would not mix with other members of the group, and spend time in and around your camping location. Personal time is your own but can be spent exploring your solo site, observing wild nature around you, writing in your journal, and enjoying the solitude. During the solo period you can return to the bothy where the staff will be based, at any time you wish. They are there to support you if you feel you need to step out of the solo experience.

Participants are encouraged to take what they want from this journey and to move at their own pace, spending as much time as they need alone and then returning for support at the bothy.

At the conclusion of the solo the fourth night will be spent together as a group sharing your experiences and your thoughts, making meaning of them, and preparing for the return home by ensuring that any new awareness will not be lost, and that the changes you may want to make as a result of this will be enduring.

The wilderness solo will be led by two of our respected and professional Wilderness Foundation staff, one a highly experienced outdoor guide, and the other a qualified psychotherapist. Throughout the week they will pay attention to your physical and emotional well being, as well as providing the information and knowledge you require to be comfortable and to enjoy this unique wilderness experience.

The location of the solo will be deep in the Scottish Highlands. Further details of this and other information will be sent to you on request.

The fee of £475.53 is inclusive of accommodation, full catering, and necessary equipment. On receipt of your booking a comprehensive list of what you need to bring, a health declaration for you to complete, and travel options and directions will be sent to you.

If this highly unique experience is of interest to you please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more and to make your booking.  Call 01245 443073 or email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk

If you would like to secure your place by paying a deposit now, you may do so below using any major debit or credit card.

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South African High Commission, Trafalgar Square, London.

SOLD OUT – SOLD OUT – SOLD OUT

You are invited to join the Wilderness Foundation UK for a talk by Mark Evans – “Desert Voices – a 28 day journey in Thesiger’s Arabia” taking place at the South African High Commission, Trafalgar Square, London.  WC2N 5DP.

In 2009 Mark Evans and John Smith spent 28 days living and travelling in Oman’s “Empty Quarter”.  On 15th June 2010 Mark will recount tales of the incredible expedition that these two men undertook, the amazing sights that they enjoyed and the challenges that they faced taking a journey in the footsteps of WFUK’s late Patron Sir Wilfred Thesiger, in this, the centenary year of Wilfred’s birth.

Biography of Mark Evans

Mark Evans is the Executive Director of Outward Bound Oman, the first Outward Bound School in the Arab world, and is the founder of Connecting Cultures, an educational initiative endorsed by UNESCO that uses the desert wilderness to bring young people together on journeys of intercultural dialogue.

Evans has been travelling in wilderness environments for 31 years, and has, amongst other things, spent an entire year overwintering on Svalbard, which included 4 months of total darkness, spent 26 days crossing Greenland by parachute and ski on the trail of Nansen, and kayaked 1700 km along the entire coastline of Oman.  He is the author of two books, has lectured several times at the Royal Geographical Society and the Daily Telegraph Adventure Travel Show in London, and in 2002 was named a Pioneer of the Nation at Buckingham Palace for his services to the field of youth exploration.

Tickets for the Event

A limited number of tickets are available for this truly special evening at the South African High Commission in London and must be purchased in advance.  The price is £10 per person with proceeds from the evening supporting the work of the Wilderness Foundation UK.

To purchase your ticket(s) now using any major debit or credit card please click on the “Add to Cart” button below.   Your shopping cart will then be displayed below with checkout options.  If you would like to order more than one ticket  update the quantity in the shopping cart to the total number of tickets required.

DUE TO HIGH DEMAND WE REGRET THAT PLACES FOR THIS TALK HAVE NOW SOLD OUT

Please note: To save on postage and administration costs this is an eTicket event – tickets will not be mailed out to you.

We look forward to seeing you on 15th June at the South African High Commission.   Thank you for helping us to preserve wild places and change lives.

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