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Working with nature
to fire spirits,
kindle community
and foster well-being

Neroche Woodlanders is an award winning social enterprise based at Young Wood, one hundred acres of magical and beautiful forest on the edge of the Blackdown Hills near Taunton in Somerset.

Young Wood is a wild, inspiring place where nature is our setting, our muse and our guide. We work with that nature to improve people's lives, while making the woods richer for wildlife.

We encourage children, young people, adults, families and organisations to learn about the nature around them, to find their own place in the world, to build connections with others and to experience a deeper connection with their own wild nature.

Through all of this we aim to celebrate the beauty and diversity of this Earth and play our part to support thriving life. Join us!

Like what we do? Support our work or become a member

Donate Here

This link takes you to an online payment page via google.
Prefer to donate by BACS?
Use: Neroche Woodlanders Limited, Account No: 67232112, Sort Code: 08-92-99

Join Us

Become a member of Neroche Woodlanders and have a say in how we run. £5 to join, £10 a year to stay a member.

Much of our work is free or heavily subsidised for people who come to us. Applying for grants takes time, and your donation can make all the difference to keeping our work going.

How your money helps....
£30 pays for food for lunches for one session for up to 30 people.
£50 covers the staff costs for one adult to attend a small group wellbeing session.
£150 pays for 33 seater contract bus for one session.

"Your work is inspirational and such a good example of diverse partners coming together and innovating in the care and support of vulnerable people. Hugely down to your energy and commitment I’m sure. It’s been a pleasure to learn about you and I wish you the very best for Neroche Woodlanders and all who sail in her."
John Muir Award England Inclusion Manager

What a wonderful 3 hours with such incredible facilitators, volunteers and 4 other families. It’s such a gift to access a few moments to have ‘normal’ conversations with other adults around the camp fire knowing all the children are Safe with the ‘yes space’ along with brilliant creative thinking meaning you can really relax.

Parent of child with disability

October 2024

Woodland Wellbeing
Nature Wellbeing Drop-in Community – Pilot Oct 2024 (These are ONLY open to people who have been to previous sessions)

Wed 2nd Oct 10am - 2pm
Tue 8th Oct 10am - 2pm
Wed 23rd Oct 10am - 2pm

ESSENTIAL for us that you book a week in advance. You do not have to come to all three. They are on different days of the week.

We are trying out something NEW from your feedback! This is a pilot series of three sessions, to try out a different way of doing things to build everyone’s skills and confidence.

To find out more click here

Young Saplings

Fri, 4 Oct 9:30am - 11am
Fri, 11 Oct 9:30am - 11am
Fri, 18 Oct 9:30am - 11am
Fri, 25 Oct 9:30am - 11am

Parent/Carer & Toddler Group Forest School (for children aged 0-5 year olds)
Based on Forest School principles, these year round sessions support child development, nature connection, social interaction and good old fashioned play.

We are fully booked, however, please get in touch if you would like to go on the waiting list as children move on to other places or pre-schools - contact Sarah for the waiting list [email protected].

To find out more click here

Wild Explorer Parent and Toddler Group

11th October 12pm - 2pm
25th October 12pm - 2pm

This is part of our Wild Explorers new funded project. For children under the age of 5 years old, to come to the woods and explore the natural world. These sessions are based on the Forest School approach and each week will have lots of child lead play.

Contact Sarah for more information [email protected]

To find out more click here

Send Families in the Forest

None for October

For Somerset families who have a child with a disability. That may be visible or diagnosed condition or impairment, or it may be hidden or hard to see. We think our sessions are most suitable for children aged 5-12 and their families and siblings.

Neroche Conservation Volunteers Sessions

Wed Oct 2 - 9:30am - 3:00pm - NCV - Thurlbear Wood
Wed Oct 9 - 9:30am - 3:00pm - NCV - Quants reserve
Wed Oct 16 - 9:30am - 3:00pm - NCV - Little Shelving Farm
Wed Oct 23 - 9:30am - 3:00pm - NCV - Young Wood
Wed Oct 30 - 9:30am - 3:00pm - NCV - NCV - Mt Fancy

Neroche Conservation Volunteers are busy in the woods and other places on Wednesdays and you are welcome to join in. Contact Gavin [email protected]

To find out more click here

Happy Healthy Holidays

None for October

Activities days for children as part of the Happy Health Holidays scheme.

These Activity Days are for children aged 5 - 11 and free transport is provided, with various bus picks available.

Places are FREE for children on free school meals or who are thought to be vulnerable in another way. The school will give you a voucher code to make a booking and they can help you book.

Families who have a child with a disability

To be confirmed

Thanks to the Somerset County Council Inclusion Team, we are offering very subsidised sessions in the holidays for Somerset families who have a child with a disability. That may be visible or diagnosed condition or impairment, or it may be hidden or hard to see.

We think our sessions are most suitable for children aged 5-12 and their families and siblings.

Free Downloads...

We are always creating great resources for things we do, so we will start uploading some of them here. Please do use them and do acknowledge us when you do.

COP26, Net Zero, 1.5 Degrees & Other Jargon

Trees and Carbon

Meat, Livestock, Grass, Soil and Carbon

Personal Action for the Climate

Calendar

Our Woodland Location

Directions to Young Wood, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton TA3 5AZ

Two miles south of Taunton in Somerset, near the village of Staple Fitzpaine

To find us please download these directions. DON'T USE SATNAV or GOOGLE DIRECTIONS

Don't use SATNAV or Google Directions. Instead download the What3Words App and search for

Entrance to the gateway of the site on the main road is - fade.pinging.doing
Car park is - ordeals.text.result
Main Camp is - tightest.existence.leafing