UPCOMING OPEN GROUP EVENTS (ONLINE)
To book please Contact me or click the Eventbrite links below. Places are limited.
Upcoming events include (click menu text below or scroll down for details):
PARENT/GUARDIANS/GRANDPARENTS COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS
'Back to school' might have brought up conflicting feelings and concerns including anxiety, stress, and relief. In current circumstances it's a challenging transition for the whole family.
Each week I will share nature-based relaxation tips and creative activities for you to try in your own time,
either alone or with your family.
This drop-in community support group aims to support adults who in turn are supporting children. Grandparents, extended family, foster carers, everyone is welcome.
NO COMMITMENT. Come once to try it out and if you like it pop back whenever you're able to.
Group activities include:
We can focus on whatever feels useful to whoever shows up on that day. Some examples of what I can offer.
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Relaxation, and self-care tips for anxiety and low mood.
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Exploring what uplifts us (unique to each individual) and how we can increase this.
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Sharing concerns, stories, feelings.
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Using our creativity to help us to explore emotions and navigate these challenging times.
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Information on increasing children's feelings of safety (and our own!)
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Over time hopefully building a local mutual support network.
Show up as you are, if you're exhausted, sad or confused that's OK. It's ok to not be ok.
This can be your space to unwind.
Drop-in session lasting 1.5 hours, hosted online via zoom.
£3-5 per session on a self assessed sliding scale.
(Free spaces available for keyworkers and for anyone who is unable to make a financial contribution)
If you'd like more information or to chat before joining please contact me to arrange a mutually convenient time.
BOOKING:
Eventbrite ticket links below (£3-5 per session, drop-in basis).
If these day/times are not good for you please contact me as I may end up running multiple groups.
National (online)
Start date Thurs 12th Nov 13:00-14:30pm, then every Thursday same time (in term-times).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127475078391
Muswell Hill and Crouch End (online)
Wed 11th Nov 10:00-11:30am then every Wednesday same time (in term-times).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127473158649
Saddleworth (online)
Wed 11th Nov 13:00-14:30pm then every Wednesday same time (in term-times).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127473748413
Oldham (online)
Thurs 12th Nov 10:00-11:30am then every Thursday same time (in term-times).
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/127474514705
SELF ISOLATING
COVID COMMUNITY
SUPPORT GROUPS
Whether you are still isolating, or struggling to cope with Covid restrictions for other reason's (as most of us are!), this drop-in group offers a space for respite and mutual support.
Weekly drop in sessions lasting 1.5 hours via Zoom. Come once to try it out and if you like it pop back whenever you're able to. No commitment to attend every week.
This group aims to:
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Offer take-away tips and self-care tools to enhance wellbeing
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Ease anxiety/stress/depression as part of a regular self-care routine.
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Build an online community to help get us through this winter.
SHOW UP AS YOU ARE. If you're exhausted, sad or confused that's OK. IT'S OK TO NOT BE OK! You are invited to use this space to unwind and process what's happening both in your own life and collectively.
Kim is a HCPC registered Art Therapist and nature-based mindfulness guide.
The group can decide what will benefit them most. There will be the opportunity to incorporate:
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Playful creative activities,
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Guided relaxation,
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Gentle breathing practices,
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Suggestions for how to deepen our time in nature to enhance our own wellbeing.
We have all muddled through this tumultuous time, just getting through each day, but perhaps now there could be an opportunity to take a breath, pause, reflect on this year so far.
First dates:
Monday 9th November:
Oldham (online)
Tuesday 10th November:
Saddleworth (online) 10:00-11:30
National (online) 13:00-14:30
Continuing weekly at the same time on the same day on a drop-in basis.
£5 or £3 per session on a self-assessed sliding scale.
(Please contact me if this is still a barrier for you, please don't let financial issues restrict your access to support.)
If you would like more information or to chat to me prior to joining your first session please contact me to arrange a mutually convenient time.
BOOKING:
Eventbrite booking link national (online)
Eventbrite booking link Oldham (online)
Eventbrite booking link for Saddleworth (online)
If these days and times are not good for you please let me know, as I may end up running multiple groups.
Many of us found solace in the natural world during lockdown. This introductory session offers various ways to deepen this budding relationship. We will explore how our connection to nature to optimise intimacy, interconnection and wellbeing.
You will come away with a toolkit of short exercises to ease stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and generally support you to regain and maintain inner balance, grounding and centering (of course one session cannot claim to heal your mental or physical health***).
Previous participants have found the sessions relaxing, inspiring, helping them to experience the world with new eyes and tap into their own innate creativity and childlike joy (see testimonials).
A co-created adventure using guided meditation, sensory exploration exercises, and a ''sit spot'' experience.
You don't need access to outside space for the session, if you have a garden/balcony that's wonderful, but you can also use a window, a potted plant, a photograph or your imagination.
A brief introduction will be offered covering motivations behind, and benefits of nature connection. We can also delve into why it is especially relevant and necessary in our current times. Then we will dive straight into the experiential group and individual exercises.
Everything is an invitation and you are welcome to do only what you feel comfortable with, and come as you are.
It's ok to not be ok, especially in these difficult times.
We will expand our awareness and come into our embodied heart-mind via gentle breath work and connecting to all of our senses.
''The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature.'' (Joseph Campbell)
Connecting first with ourselves, coming out of our heads, into our body, and into reciprocal relationship with the natural space around us and the others on the call. Connection to self, others and the natural world are all interrelated so developing skills/qualities in one area naturally spreads to all areas of your life. All deep connection experiences involve opening our hearts, increased attentiveness, and playful curiosity.
Upcoming dates:
Drop-in session 9th March 18:30-20:30
Drop-in session 16th March 16:00-18:00
More TBC in May 2021 (contact me for more details)
Zoom link and joining instructions will be sent to all registered participants a few days before.
Places are limited to 8 people so please do book to avoid disappointment.
***Whilst the hope is that this session will in some gentle ways ease stress etc from the perspective of self-help, this is NOT therapy. I do also offer nature-based art therapy. If you are suffering from physical or mental health difficulties this is not a replacement for conventional medical support and medication. Please always see your GP as your first port of call.
A three part series of group Zoom calls unpacking how nature connection can resource us at a much deeper level. Exploring the qualities and gifts offered within natural symbolism, cycles and seasons and the benefits of attuning to and responding to these in our everyday lives.
Throughout our journey we will explore ways to ease stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and generally support your wellbeing.***
Please note this is a three part series and a commitment to attend all sessions to complete the process is recommended.
There is an 'intensive' version of this series run over 3 consecutive days and a more spacious version with weekly sessions on saturdays (see below).
Session 1: Reflection
Winter is traditionally a time of inner reflection, pause and slowing down. There are simlarities here with our global lockdown. In this session we take time for ourselves, to reflect on what has happened and what learnings there may be. What no longer serves us and could be released? What losses need to be acknowledged both individually and collectively?
Session 2: Presence
Gathering the above, honoring our journey and our present - wherever and however we are - with gratitude. Accepting with love the things we cannot change and identifying the smaller shifts we can make. What do we wish to retain and bring forward with us into the present and future? What seeds have we planted and wish to nurture?
Session 3: Unfurling
Preparing to move forward. Creatively visioning the seeds that are unfurling within us and within the wider world. What are our intentions, hopes, dreams and how can nature help us honor and sustain these?
These sessions will be a co-created experiential group journey including breathwork, sensory awareness meditations, nature connection experiences, storytelling, creative exercises, journalling and sharing in groups/pairs. There will be invitations to do activities between sessions when on your daily walks or in an outdoor space you can access easily.
For the Zoom calls themselves, it doesn't matter if you can't access outdoor space at that specific time. A window can provide a vista of sky to explore, or you could connect with a favourite potted plant, use your imagination, or let photographs help you access a time in memory when you were in nature.
Each session will last 2 hours and be hosted on Zoom.
Dates (attending all is suggested - it is a journey):
TBC in May 2021 email me for more info.
If these days/times are not convenient for you please get in touch, nothing is set in stone and it's hard to know when's a good time for people in our new normal. If I get enough requests for a new day I will change it. Or schedule the next round of these workshops on another day.
***Whilst the hope is that this session will in some gentle ways ease stress etc from the perspective of self-help, this is NOT therapy. I do also offer nature-based art therapy. If you are suffering from physical or mental health difficulties this is not a replacement for conventional medical support and medication. Please always see your GP as your first port of call.
This series of Zoom sessions will focus on how we can amplify our connection to the elements, and how this can bring us into deeper relationship with the interconnectedness of all life and the animate earth.
Throughout our journey we will explore ways to ease stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, and generally support your wellbeing.***
Session 1: Air
The winds of change. Air flows from our lungs out into the world around the globe, and vice versa. What new thoughts/patterns do we want to share via these windstreams?
Session 2: Water
Water is synonymous with flow, life and emotion. How can we connect with water to invite the flow of movement we desire, which serves our higher self and brings our gifts to the world.
Session 3: Fire
Connecting to the spark of life in all things, the sun that initiates and supports all life on earth, our passions and desires.
Session 4: Earth
What seeds are we planting at this time? What is bubbling up under the soil, awaiting germination?
The spark of life and catalyst of change. How can we turn intention into action? What awareness is necessary to prevent getting burnt, or burned out? Self care.
Session 5: Spirit
Connecting first to the ever-present web of life. We are all one, we are all borne of the earth, are nourished by it and return to it in time. There is no separation between 'us' and 'nature. Nature connection exists as a constant, yet our perceoption of it can diminish.
These sessions will be a co-created experiential group journey including breathwork, sensory awareness meditations, nature connection experiences, storytelling, creative exercises, journalling and sharing in groups/pairs. There will be invitations to do activities between sessions when on your daily walks or in an outdoor space you can access easily.
For the Zoom calls themselves, it doesn't matter if you can't access outdoor space at that specific time. A window can provide a vista of sky to explore, or you could connect with a favourite potted plant, use your imagination, or let photographs help you access a time in memory when you were in nature.
Each session will last 2 hours and be hosted on Zoom.
Dates (attending all is suggested, it is a journey, the ticket is for all dates):
(Contact me if you would like to come to just one or two sessions)
Starting Saturday 20th February 15:30-17:30pm then weekly for 4 more weeks
If these days/times are not convenient for you please get in touch, nothing is set in stone and it's hard to know when's a good time for people in our new normal. If I get enough requests for a new day I will change it. Or schedule the next round of these workshops on another day.
***Whilst the hope is that the above sessions will in some gentle ways ease stress etc from the perspective of self-help, this is NOT therapy. I do also offer nature-based art therapy. If you are suffering from physical or mental health difficulties this is not a replacement for conventional medical support and medication. Please always see your GP as your first port of call.
Contact me today for more information.