🌳 Space to Belong – Outdoor Sessions for Neurodivergent Families
in beautiful Battle, East Sussex
Space to Belong is a small, nurturing outdoor group designed especially for neurodivergent children aged 6–12 and their families.
Our sessions are grounded in connection, curiosity and care. Each is tailored to individual needs and supported with autism-informed practices, including understanding around PDA and trauma.
Based in a private woodland, we offer a welcoming space where children and families can explore, play and be themselves.
🌳 What to Expect:
Our sessions follow a gentle rhythm and are shaped by the interests and needs of each child. There’s no pressure to join in, just opportunities to connect, create, and grow at your own pace. Parents/carers to stay with their children at all times.
✨ Activities may include:
🔥 Fire building and cooking over the fire
🪵 Bushcraft and shelter building
🎨 Nature-inspired arts and crafts
🪢 Knot work and simple tool use
🌿 We provide:
• A supportive structure with visual aids, clear routines, and space for choice
• Autism-friendly tools and approaches to support communication and regulation
• Opportunities for child-led play and gentle encouragement to try new things
• Time to connect as a group, with a welcome, shared snack and calm close-down
• A space for parents to feel welcomed and supported too
🌈 Every child’s journey is different. Our aim is to meet them exactly where they are.
Practical details
📍 Location: Private woodland in Battle, East Sussex
🚗 Facilities: On-site parking, compost loo, and covered shelter. Sessions run in all weathers.
⏰ Session length: 1 hour - please arrive on time as we make our way in to the woods as a group.
👥 Group size: Small group size of 6 to keep things calm and personal.
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What to bring
• Clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy/wet
• Waterproofs and layers for changeable weather
• A change of clothes
• Water bottle and any preferred snacks (a simple group snack is provided)
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Accessibility
Our woodland has uneven ground and natural surfaces. Please get in touch if you’d like to discuss your child’s access needs — we’ll do our best to adapt.
⸻
Who we are
👩🌾 Sessions are led by Katie, a qualified Nature-Based Practitioner with an ITC Level 3 in Nature-Based Practice, ITC Level 3 Reframing Behaviour and Stress Outdoors, and Outdoor First Aid. Her approach is neuro-affirming, with a focus on wellbeing, safety, and autonomy.
👨👦 Shaun- parent volunteer, Dad to two neurodivergent children. Who brings lived experience, warmth, calm, and a hands-on approach to the group.
Together, we aim to create a safe, neuro affirming space where families can thrive.
All staff and volunteers have an enhanced DBS check and have completed Safeguarding training.
Please note - these sessions are part funded by The National Lottery and Southern Water Goodwill fund provided by Sussex Community Foundation. The session price is a contribution towards the essential running costs ensuring the sustainability of this project.
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