Wednesday Workshops - Summer

31 July - 21 August (Wed only)

Are you ready for a summer full of creativity and adventure?

Join us every Wednesday for FREE family-friendly activities led by local authors, poets, and storytellers. From treasure hunts to creating natural inks, there's something for everyone.

Workshops are offered on Wednesdays at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm and are included with centre admission. All workshops operate on a first-come, first-served basis. These are drop-in sessions with limited capacity, so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot!

For up-to-date information, please check our what's on board upon arrival. Unless otherwise stated, all workshops suitable for ages 6+ and younger children are welcome.

31 July -Story nature explorers

Join us on a family-led treasure hunt, collecting natural items along the way to inspire your own story-making. Sessions are run by Natalie Cooper, local Barnes author of ‘Forest Whispers’, poet, and creative storyteller.

• Duration: 1 hour

7 August -Twig pens and natural inks

Have fun creating your own foraged pens and brushes! You will then get to try them out with our home made charcoal ink made from wetlands willow grown here at the centre.

• Duration: 1 hour

14 August -Songs in the Wild

Friends and family, come for a session of songs in the wild! We will join the frogs calling, the birds singing, and the wind blowing by making music with our voices.

• Duration: 45 minutes

21 August -Poetic Unity

Come and join this engaging spoken word workshop with Brixton-based charity Poetic Unity. Poetic Unity uses poetry to help young people find their voice, feel valued in society, and empower them to reach their highest potential. Poetic Unity has been running for over nine years, providing 1,421 services and supporting 40,000 young people. Whether you're a beginner or a poetry veteran, you can join this session to feel part of a community and find new ways to express yourself. Find out more about Poetic Unity here: www.PoeticUnity.org.uk

• Duration: 1 hour
• Workshops suitable for ages 8+

28 August -Create your own picture book

Get creative with authors Rachel and Paul Lawston. Explore the wetlands to find inspiration for your own picture-book character and bring it to life with tips from the experts. At the end, there'll be the chance to hear Rachel read from one of her own stories.

• Duration: 1 hour