Bushcraft experience…

A first for Apple House care homes, was a day of bushcrafting with Sunrise Bushcraft of Hampshire.

“D and J both participated in the bushcraft adventure. Following a nature trail, they identified different leaves and brought home a picture of the leaves that they had collected. Nuts were then collected for use on the fire.Both got involved in making dream catchers and now have them hanging in their rooms.

D said that the best part of the day was building a hut from branches and leaves.”

–– Jayne Jackson, Apple House care home.

James White, owner of Sunrise Bushcraft, believes that ‘Personal integration with nature and the earth can produce some surprisingly fantastic results.’  After our bushcraft day, we have to agree with James!

Our guys were particularly fortunate in that James happens to be a previous Masterchef finalist!  Lunch was always going to be delicious!  With his helpers for the day, together they cooked marinated chicken wraps, prepared with freshly picked herbs from the forest. These were followed by fresh baked muffins. Yum!

“T1 was very keen to explore his environment and really enjoyed looking at how to make a shelter. He also enjoyed the fire making which was very exciting.

T2, who has completed a 10 week forest walking course, took the whole thing in his stride (Ha ha!). He listened really carefully to the instructors and engaged well at all levels. On return to Summerwood he gave a run down to staff on the day and said that he really enjoyed everything about it especially the food, making and lying in the shelter and lighting the fire with a flint.

When asked how we could thank the instructor he jumped at the chance and suggested fresh eggs from our own hens would be a suitable gift.

For someone who finds any activity a challenge T has discovered something he can really get stuck into and he has said that he would like to go again.”

–– John Caslake, Summerwood care home.

James told us that the day spent with residents from our homes was ‘One of the best buschcraft days I’ve ever known – so much fun!’  Our staff too got into the swing of it, helping to build shelters, forage and make leaf flags and dream-catchers.

“S and D thoroughly enjoyed their bushcraft training!  Upon return home, both were very excited to tell us about what they had achieved and to show us the crafts that they had made.

The experience has also motivated both to try new things.  It has mentally stimulated S and D, who seem eager to learn more individual skills.

Overall a fantastic day for which they are looking forward to repeating!”

–– Sharron Eyears, Redcroft care home.

The day was funded by our organisation and we are already planning ahead for the next bushcraft experience as well as a Team Day for staff!  Now that will be fun as we’re a competitive bunch and, secretly, I think we all hope that Romaine, Director of Operations, gets a dunking or stuck up a tree! 😉

–– Jane Montrose, Managing Director.