Nurturing Neurodiversity
Nurturing Neurodiversity is tailored to support and connect communities of neurodiverse children, young people and their families.
These Accessible Crafts sessions are funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund meaning each session comes at a low cost.
Parent Feedback
As part of our ongoing commitment to support and nurture neurodiverse children in The Forest of Dean, we are reaching out to gather valuable feedback from you. If your child has recently attended one of our sessions, please support us by completing the form below. This information will enable us to feedback to our funders and access future funding.
Nurturing Neurodiversity - Accessible Crafts
Feedback Form Summer 2024
Empowering
Neurodiverse Communities with Traditional Crafts
Our Accessible Crafts sessions, part of our Nurturing Neurodiversity service, are here to support neurodivergent children (aged 4–12) through traditional craft workshops tailored to their unique needs. Crafting is more than just creating—it's therapeutic, helping to reduce stress and boost self-esteem. In our nature-based environment, children will explore woodwork, pottery, and more, guided by experienced staff.
These sessions are designed to foster a sense of community and support. Running on alternate weekends throughout the autumn term and October half term at our Mitcheldean site on Jubilee Road, parents/carers can drop off their children at the gate after registration at 10am, with collection at 1:00pm.
Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child feels accepted, valued, and part of the group. Each session offers a new craft, providing opportunities for participants to learn, connect, and grow together. Join us in creating a space where children feel understood, empowered, and ready to thrive!
Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the cost of your child’s place is significantly reduced—making these sessions more accessible for all families.
Small Group
Many children with additional needs struggle to access mainstream holiday activities due to the level of support they require. Most SEN settings operate with a one-to-one staffing ratio, which many holiday provisions simply cannot accommodate.
Thanks to generous funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are able to offer a high staffing ratio, enabling us to meet the unique and varied needs of each child in our care.
These small group sessions are specifically designed for children who may not be able to attend our larger group workshops—whether due to the need for a quieter, more structured environment, or because they require additional adult support. Our nurturing setting is tailored for children aged 4–12 with complex needs such as Autism, ADHD, and Global Developmental Delay.
We recognise that every child is different, and that their needs can change from day to day. Our craft activities are carefully planned to be adaptable, allowing each child to engage at their own pace. Participation is always optional, and quiet spaces are available for children who need a break from the group environment.
Our dedicated team is here to ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and included.
If you’d like to talk through whether this group is the right fit for your child, or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call or WhatsApp us on 07761 164352.
Our Team
Our Accessible Crafts team is Georgie (SENDCO), Susie (Forest School Lead), Charlie (Montessori Teacher), Sarah (Primary Teacher & Forest School Leader). Our team are experienced in working with children with complex needs. The crafts sessions will be led by Georgie, supported by our experienced team. Find out more about our team here.
Additional Information
Site
All our children's workshops currently run from an enclosed woodland at the Beaver Lodge in Parkend, near Lydney. Our children's workshops are fully outdoor for the duration. See Our Sites Page for more information.
Staff Team
Our workshops are run by our core team, who collectively have more than 40 year’s experience working with children: Susie, our Level 3 qualified Forest School Leader, Charlie, qualified Montessori Teacher and Georgie, our SENDCo & crafts facilitator.
Susie and Georgie have a wealth of experience working with children with additional needs and Charlie has a decade of experience managing Ofsted registered settings. We work with qualified and experienced practitioners. See our Meet the Team Page for more information.
For more information, please see our Welcome Pack, designed for children to read.