Babes in the Wood (July 2013)

Young parents and their children get a taste of fresh air, freedom and some new perspectives…

This three-day residential on the edge of Dartmoor gave parents and their young children the chance to get away and step out of normal routines, get creative working with natural materials, experience working on and eating from the land and living without technology. They enjoyed the experience of playing by the lake on a hot summer’s day and chatting round the fire as the evening cooled and the little ones snoozed in the cosy yurts.  Sharing new positive experiences together bonded relationships within and between families and with support workers and above all gave the opportunity to explore different ways of having fun outdoors and being a parent. 

Participants were young families from inner-city Bristol and the Hartcliffe and Withywood Teenage Parent Project. 

Listen to the audio piece that recorded the impact it had on people’s lives.

The trip has opened me up to bigger ideas, helped me to be more confident within myself and with my parenting skills. The team helped me realise that living a more relaxed, healthy lifestyle makes parenting and bonding with children a much more positive experience.
Young Parent, Babes in the Wood (July 2013)
It would be really good for our activity club for 5-10 year-olds. I want to bring people out here for a bit of a reality check.
Young Mum and play worker trainee, Babes in the Wood (July 2013)
I can go back and move things that we’ve recognised forward now. We can continue with this work... it’s a progression.
Deana, Manager, Hartcliffe and Withy Wood Teenage Parents Project, Babes in the Wood (July 2013)