Charlie Hammond

This is a unique therapeutic journey for a small group of adults to explore their relationship to winter, and to connect with themselves, each other, and the outdoors. Based in the peak district in the beautiful settings of Bamford, this is a therapeutically informed, hands-on group process led by trained Clown and Facilitator Charlie Hammond and Art Psychotherapist Bea Hughes.

In an increasingly over-connected and over-stimulating world, this is an opportunity to use the winter as a time to take stock, to pause and reflect, and to consider how the rhythms of the year can help us to heal, grow and move forwards. As we meet over four Sundays between Jan-March we’ll move from winter into the emerging spring, with Bea and Charlie guiding through creative, reflective rituals and hands-on practical bushcraft skills.

We will use basic bushcraft skills such as fire lighting, working with tools, cooking, as well as art-making using natural materials, getting to know local plant life, self-reflective practice in nature, and singing, play, and storytelling. The journey of this course will focus on the participants’ relation to self, others and nature, and the stories associated with late winter emerging into spring. 

A note on language and therapy: Whilst this group may be therapeutic, it is not a therapy group or a substitute for therapy.

We are looking for a small group of adults (20+ years) to join us on this adventure. We are wanting to work with people who find winter a challenging time of year, who might experience SAD or mild depression, and who want to feel more comfortable and at ease in natural environments. You do not need to have any experience in bushcraft or outdoor activities, but may have an interest in arts, singing, art-making, the outdoors and plants etc and are looking to connect to community and others in South Yorkshire and the peaks. 

A note on identity and our approach: Whilst we will be drawing from our own experience of nature and folkloric story-telling tradition from northern-European roots, we welcome stories, knowledge and people from all cultures, religions and backgrounds. We recognise and validate experiences of intersectional, historic and present systemic oppression and the ongoing hostile environment that many are currently facing. We welcome people of all genders, including trans and non-binary people, and will seek to create an environment that can feel as safe as possible for all.

We expect participants to be based in South Yorkshire area but welcome others from further afield to apply.

What to expect:

• A warm, friendly welcome from facilitators Bea and Charlie
• Practical bushcraft and creative workshops which will include ritual, reflective and mindful and body-based practices in a group setting
• Invitations to share your reflections and experiences
• Hot delicious vegetarian lunch, hot drinks and snacks provided for every session by the excellent chef Sharna Lal
• Winter weather! We can provide waterproofs if needed but we will be outside for these sessions
• Fire and shelter to keep us as warm and dry as possible
• The opportunity to connect and build community.

Bea Hughes

Bea is an Art Psychotherapist, Artist and Clinical Supervisor with over five years experience working in mental health in the NHS with children and adults. Drawing from a toolkit of creative, attachment, trauma and nature-based trainings, she works holistically, with an intersectional and anti-oppressive approach. This means that she works with awareness and knowledge around how trauma, systemic oppression and modern society affect psycho-emotional health with a compassionate, curious and non-judgemental approach.

Other projects she has been involved with in the past include working within an accountability group around sexual violence in an activist group, developing a large scale co-operative housing project in Birmingham and running Art Psychotherapy workshops. She also worked with The Yansa Group and indigenous peoples in Mexico to support land rights and facilitate community-led and owned renewable energy. Most recently she has been a co-ordinator of a QTIPOC Therapy Fund for the Radical Therapist Network and has co-facilitated a refugee gardening project in Sheffield. She is currently involved in organising and co-facilitating a therapeutic group for adults called Wild Wintering and offers Art Therapy and Clinical Supervision in private practice.

Charlie Hammond

Charlie Hammond is a Clown and Facilitator with over a decade of experience spanning street theatre, cabaret, devised theatre, hospital clowning, and contemporary circus. 

At the heart of Charlie’s work is an instinct for care. As a Giggle Doctor with Theodora Children’s Charity for over 8 years, he has brought joy and gentle connection to children in hospitals throughout the UK. This ongoing experience has deepened his belief in the potential for clowning as a transformative practice and how laughter and play can lead to healing.

Charlie is increasingly drawn to exploring the therapeutic dimensions of clowning – the intersection of play, creativity, and therapy. He has spent the past 12 months in an extensive learning process training in Creative Facilitation, Fooling, and Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches. He is especially interested in how the principles of clowning—presence, responsiveness, and radical vulnerability—can foster environments where people feel safe enough to be fully themselves.

He has delivered creative projects with Contact Theatre, the NHS, Woodcraft Folk, and the Royal Exchange Manchester to name a few.