Building Our Team Through Connection and Inspiration: Our Autumn Wellness

On Saturday, 27th September, something rather special happened. Our Nature Makers team from across the country gathered together for an Inspiration and Wellness Retreat, and it reminded us all why we do what we do. When you run a business where instructors work independently in their own communities, scattered from the North of Tyne to Coventry and beyond, the opportunity to come together in person becomes precious. These aren't just meetings or training sessions - they're moments to reconnect with the heart of what Nature Makers stands for.

Starting with Wellness

We began the day as we mean to continue - by practising what we preach. Before any business talk or planning sessions, the team settled onto yoga mats for a morning of genuine wellbeing. A gentle yoga session helped everyone arrive fully, especially those who'd travelled considerable distances to be there. Some had set off in the early hours, and this mindful start gave everyone time to transition from their journey into the present moment.

Following the yoga, we experienced a sound bath together. The room filled with the resonant tones of singing bowls, creating a meditative atmosphere that allowed the team to truly settle. This wasn't a token gesture towards wellness - it was a fundamental statement about who we are as an organisation. We genuinely believe in the power of mindfulness, in the importance of taking time to ground ourselves, and in the wellbeing benefits of slowing down. If we're going to support families and children in connecting with nature and finding moments of calm in their busy lives, we need to embody these values ourselves.

The venue itself offered exactly what we needed - beautiful outdoor space where we could practise what we teach. Throughout the day, we made the most of being surrounded by nature, stepping outside to breathe in the autumn air and feel the ground beneath our feet.

Learning from Each Other

After a cup of tea and a chance to properly catch up, we moved into the heart of the day's programme. Ruth, who runs Nature Makers classes in Coventry, shared her experience of business development over the past year. Hearing directly from a team member about the realities of growing a Nature Makers franchise - the challenges faced, the solutions found, and the successes celebrated - was invaluable. This is the kind of authentic, practical insight that you simply can't get from a manual or a training video.

These moments of peer-to-peer learning are gold dust. Ruth's journey resonated with others in the room who recognised their own experiences in her story, whilst those newer to Nature Makers could see a realistic pathway ahead. It's one thing to hear from head office about what's possible; it's quite another to hear from someone who's actually doing it, navigating the same waters, working in communities just like yours.

Later in the morning, Catherine from North of Tyne joined us via Zoom to talk about green dementia - an important topic that connects deeply with our values around nature, wellbeing, and intergenerational connection. The work that Nature Makers does isn't just for children; it's about creating communities where people of all ages can benefit from meaningful time outdoors.

Sharing Skills Over Lunch

Lunchtime wasn't just about refuelling - though there was plenty of tea and good food to go around. We'd planned a skill share, and team members brought different expertise to the table. Some shared nature-based activities they'd developed for their classes, others talked about teaching techniques that had worked particularly well, and there were discussions about everything from seasonal crafts to ways of engaging reluctant participants.

This informal exchange of knowledge is where the magic really happens. A technique that works brilliantly in one community might spark an idea for someone else working in a completely different setting. A creative approach to autumn activities, a solution to a common challenge, a way of explaining something to parents - these small shares build a collective wisdom that makes every Nature Makers instructor more confident and capable.

Looking Forward Together

The afternoon began with an important conversation about the future. The business landscape has changed significantly, and we're all facing challenges - from economic pressures to shifts in how families engage with activities. But we're also evolving and growing. The vision for Nature Makers is developing, and it was crucial for the whole team to hear about this direction directly and to be part of that conversation.

There's something powerful about bringing everyone together to talk honestly about where we are and where we're heading. It creates transparency, builds trust, and ensures that every team member feels genuinely part of the journey. This isn't about top-down directives; it's about building something together, drawing on everyone's experience and insights.

Creating Together in Nature

The day concluded with all of us getting our hands dirty - or rather, our hands on natural materials. We headed outside for an interactive, mindful workshop on land art, focusing particularly on mandalas and mandorlas. Using sticks, leaves, and whatever natural materials we could find in the surrounding area, we created temporary art pieces on the grass.

There's something deeply meditative about arranging natural objects into patterns. The circular forms of mandalas have been used for centuries as tools for contemplation and mindfulness, and creating them outdoors, working with materials that nature provides, connects us to something ancient and universal. As we knelt on the autumn grass, carefully placing twigs and arranging leaves, conversations naturally quietened. Hands moved thoughtfully. Patterns emerged.

This wasn't just a fun activity to end the day - though it certainly was enjoyable. It was a reminder of what sits at the heart of every Nature Makers session. This is the kind of experience we want children and families to have: the chance to slow down, to create something beautiful with simple natural materials, to work mindfully and feel connected to the natural world around them. By experiencing it ourselves as a team, we remember why this work matters.

What Makes a Nature Makers Team

As everyone gathered for one final team photo before heading home, there was a palpable sense of energy and positivity. The day had been full - of learning, sharing, creating, and connecting - and yet everyone seemed energised rather than depleted. That's the sign of a day well spent.

What struck us most was the diversity of experience and background in the room, united by a shared passion for connecting children and families with nature. Some team members are seasoned educators, others have backgrounds in environmental work, some are parents who found their calling after experiencing nature activities with their own children. Everyone brings something unique to Nature Makers, and that richness makes us stronger.

Running a Nature Makers franchise isn't just about delivering activities - though of course, that's important. It's about being part of a community of like-minded people who genuinely care about the wellbeing of children and families, who understand the value of time spent in nature, and who are committed to bringing this experience to their local communities. It's about being supported by a team who practise what they teach, who invest in their own wellness and development, and who show up for each other.

The Ripple Effect

Days like this create ripples that spread far beyond the people in the room. The inspiration and ideas generated on Saturday will flow into Nature Makers classes across the country. Families across the country - from coastal towns to city centres, from the Midlands to the South - will benefit from the skills shared, the problems solved, and the renewed energy that comes from spending time with colleagues who truly understand your work.

The conversations that began around that table will continue in the weeks and months ahead. The connections strengthened will provide support when challenges arise. The vision discussed will shape how we all move forward together. And the land art we created - though temporary and soon scattered by autumn winds - represents something lasting: our commitment to mindfulness, creativity, and the natural world.