About the event

Does long-term or chronic illness stop your accessing the nature around you, especially in the darker months of the year? Or perhaps being on a low income is a barrier? Would you like to reconnect with nature, build your confidence and your knowledge of our hedgerows? This autumn join Medical Herbalist and Archaeobotanist Jenny Carden for a seasonal walk to observe the autumn flora, berries, and fungi that sustain local wildlife like the pine marten. Along the way, participants will explore how history has shaped the landscape, discover which plants prehistoric communities gathered for food and dyes, and learn practical medicinal uses for native flora. This journey offers fresh perspectives on staying engaged with the outdoors throughout autumn and winter.

Upon returning to the studio, the session transitions into a guided plant meditation using organoleptics—engaging the senses to deepen understanding. Participants will then craft botanical inks and enjoy meditative drawing, discovering how to integrate foraging and plant wisdom into creative practice while fostering a deeper connection to the local environment particularly in the darker months of the year.

*Please note this activity is specifically designed for those with chronic illness such as long COVID/post-viral illness and for those that are on low income. The goal is to build confidence outdoors during the darker months.

What the day looks like:

Guided Landscape Walk: A short stroll taking in hedgerows and byways around Ashburton.

Prehistoric Foraging & Art Gathering: Learn which native plants prehistoric people gathered for food, medicine, and dye, while collecting non-edible botanical materials for the upcoming creative session.

Pine Marten Wisdom & Tasting: Sample seasonal berries and fungi (staples of the Pine Marten diet) while exploring winter survival strategies—from solitary nature walks to the power of delayed implantation as a metaphor for managing chronic illness and rest.