Woodcraft for Wellbeing

Join us for a taster morning carving in the woods and immerse yourself in the meditative and all absorbing world of Woodcraft. We will be making simple wooden projects from stirring spoons, to scoops and cooking spoons with a focus on the restorative effects of mindful carving.

A Mindful Approach to Woodcraft
The course is underpinned by a mindful approach to whittling and carving. The merits of woodcarving on wellbeing are plentiful, the single-minded focus and presence which is necessary when carving with a sharp knife creates a state of mindfulness, and - with practice and repetition - a blissful 'flow state' can be entered into.

In our modern, busy lives, woodcraft offers us a connection to the natural world via the trees we carve under and the wood in our hands, a sanctuary which is open to anyone with a piece of wood and a whittling knife.

There is something age old and wonderfully compelling about whittling a piece of freshly cut wood, outside in the woods, and in good company - come along, step out of your busy life and join us for woodcraft in the woods!

Woods for Wellness - These sessions are run in partnership with The Woodland Presents CIC – Woods for Wellness partnership programme and Alex Finberg. The project aims to establish subsidised woodland wellbeing services at The Glade for community benefit, intertwining the natural healing environment of woodlands with professional therapeutic guidance.

Your facilitator
Alex is a British green wood worker based in South Devon, using age old carving techniques to carve wood into beautiful, functional woodenware from wind fallen and sustainably cut local trees.

He is an advocate for the new wood culture movement and the rediscovering of our relationship to the origins of everyday things, the trees they grew from and the people who made them.

Alex runs workshops and courses on spoon carving, bowl carving, whittling and shrink-pot making He is a member of the association of pole lathe turners, green wood workers and Make Southwest (formerly the Devon Guild of Craftsmen). He has taught children as young as 3 to whittle in the woods and guided students in their 80’s to take up woodworking.

He holds qualifications in Outdoor and Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding and Forest School Leader Level 3 with an enhanced DBS.

Contact Alex if you have any questions: [email protected]

Experience Required
This is a perfect introduction to woodcraft with no previous experience required, and yet it is also suitable for more advanced woodworkers wishing to learn carving techniques with a focus on the restorative nature of carving outside, with simple hand tools.

If you have any learning needs such as adjustments due to mobility or other abilities please get in touch, Alex is more than happy to explore how to support your learning together.

Approach to Learning
Alex’s approach to running workshops is to make them as enjoyable and as accessible as possible. Together as a group we create a positive learning environment where there is a focus on wellbeing and the therapeutic benefits of woodcraft.

Accessibility: - The Glade is fully accessible with a compost disabled toilet, access around the venue and a disability vehicle drop off. Carers are more than welcome to come along with their clients.

Format of The Day
9:30am - Arrival and introductions

9.45am - Start carving

Tea Break

12:30pm - Finish and depart

Pricing
These sessions are partly funded through the Woods for Wellness programme. Subsidised costs of running the workshop are £35 / person.

One Adult Ticket - £35
Pay it Forward - £70 (fully fund a place for another person on no/low income so they can join too)
Pay it Forward - £45 (funds go towards a place for another person on no/low income so they can join too)
Low Income Donation - sliding scale £5 - £20 (3 x places available for individuals on no/low incomes)

Please only chose a donated place if you really need it (i.e. are in receipt solely of income support, or are on very low income, or are retired with state pension only)

If you can afford to, please pay the full price and consider paying forward a place for someone, as the more funds we can raise for these sessions the more likely they are to continue! Your support is much appreciated.

Terms & Conditions
Suitable for Adults (18+)
Non-Refundable, Transferable

The workshop requires a minimum of 6 participants to run, should the course not fill 6 places, the workshop will be postponed and re-scheduled

What To Bring
Sturdy Footwear
Warm Clothes, Hat & Gloves (we will ideally be carving outside – though there is an inside option)
Tools if you have them (none required though!)
Drinks and snacks for the morning

Other Woodcraft Workshops

Taster Dates - If you can - join us for all three taster sessions (5th Dec, 30th Jan & 27th Feb) as we will work from simple projects to more advanced techniques, and meanwhile benefit from the joy of getting to know everyone and carving in community. If you can only make one or two that's ok too!

Weekly Woodcraft Sessions (4-week block) – come on our four-week course of wood crafting for wellbeing, where you will develop your skills and techniques and create more complex carving projects each week. You'll also benefit from the eco-therapeutic effects of a woodland setting. Starting from 6th March 2025 and throughout the year. This is a wonderful present to gift someone!

More details on these sessions here –

Location -

The Glade is nestled in the North Woods in Dartington, Totnes, Devon
Directions and parking can be found here

Host or Publisher The Woodland Presents