Young Cart Shed

A place for young people to find support, understanding and develop new skills......

now with a new group supporting transitions for 10 - 13 year olds!!

We now have three Young Cart Shed programmes:

Explore the Woods for 10 - 13 year olds

Into the Woods for 14-18 year olds

Through the Woods for 18-25 year olds.

Sessions run for 10 - 13 year olds on Thursdays 10am to 2pm, 14 - 18 year olds from 10am to 2pm on Tuesdays and for 18 - 25 year olds from 10am to 3pm on Wednesdays. The programmes run in six week blocks but, as each young person is an individual, we tailor what we do to their needs.

Our Young Cart Shed programmes offer a place to spend time in nature, develop new skills, meet people, make friends, find acceptance and understanding, learn how to manage emotions, build resilience, increase self-esteem and find direction.

After a taster session we will invite you to attend an initial course - and all courses are fully funded, so there is no cost to you.

To join one of our Young Cart Shed courses you can either apply directly to us by filling in a self-referral form or you can be referred by your school, college, GP or support worker through an agency referral. Please return to our home page to access the links to our referral forms.

Please note we cannot accept referrals for children aged younger than 10

Is it for me?

We work with young people who are experiencing a range of issues including:

Anxiety or low mood
Feeling different from those around them
Difficulties at school
Trauma and grief
Social isolation
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
Difficulties in accepting a mental health diagnosis
Relationship problems
Burnout or sensory overload
Difficulties with negotiating the education system
Neurodiversity

What will I find at Young Cart Shed?

A beautiful and empowering woodland environment with:

Outdoor kitchens cooking delicious lunches, fire circles, workshops, lots of tea and biscuits alongside

Friendship from people your age who have had similar life experiences

Support and understanding from mental health professionals to help reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem, resilience and confidence

Guidance on developing coping strategies, skills for increased independence and goal setting

Help with getting back into and maintaining education, volunteering or employment or life transitions between schools

‘The Cart Shed is an excellent provision that provides young people with emotional support, resilience building and a safe understanding environment. From our experience, we have seen positive improvements and growth in self-confidence, resilience and self-esteem.’ Nia Powell, Headtaeacher, Peterchurch Primary School

What can I do in the woods?

Our outdoor activities run throughout the year and give you the opportunity to:

• Learn new skills such as woodcraft, willow work and coppicing from experienced tutors

• Be creative with all that the woodland can provide including drawing, photography and land art

• Spend time in nature and the outdoor

“It’s been the most positive thing in my life. The Cart Shed gives me space to be myself and not be judged.”

"Having barely left the house in a few years, The Cart Shed is the one place that has allowed me to actually want to be out and socialising as well as learning.”

“I have gained more confidence, independence, skills and friends.”