Our Workshops
We Offer a Range of Workshops to Meet Your Needs
Growing Horticultural Workshop
Our horticultural workshops offer gentle, hands-on experiences that support wellbeing through meaningful time in nature. In a calm, inclusive setting, participants learn practical growing skills while building confidence, routine, and connection with others.
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Activities follow the seasons and can include seed sowing, propagation, bed preparation, mulching, composting, watering routines, and harvesting. We teach natural, low-impact methods such as no-dig growing and companion planting (sometimes called companionship growing) to strengthen soil health, encourage biodiversity, and support pollinators and wildlife.
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Sessions are beginner-friendly and can be delivered as standalone workshops or as a structured programme.
Equine Therapy Sessions
Our equine-assisted sessions are ground-based experiences designed to support wellbeing in a calm, supportive outdoor environment.
Working alongside horses encourages focus, confidence, communication, emotional regulation, and trust.
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Sessions are structured, accessible, and suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
They can be delivered on their own or paired with horticulture for a balanced wellbeing day.
Nutritional Workshop
Our nutritional workshops focus on practical, achievable steps towards healthier eating and wellbeing.
These sessions connect food, mood, and everyday routine — helping participants build confidence with simple, nourishing choices.
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Topics can include seasonal eating, low-waste food habits, basic cooking skills, food storage, and using fresh ingredients in affordable, realistic ways. Where appropriate, we link the learning to what’s being grown, reinforcing a “grow–prepare–eat” journey that supports long-term lifestyle change.
Repair and Reuse Workshops
Our mechanical volunteers run friendly, beginner-focused workshops that help people maintain and troubleshoot common garden tools and machinery — promoting a repair-and-reuse culture that saves money and reduces waste.
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Workshops may include basic checks and maintenance (where appropriate), safe handling, end-of-season care, and common fault-finding.
Participants can sometimes bring their own equipment for guidance, and we’ll always be clear about what can be covered safely in a workshop setting.
Recreational Workshops
Sometimes the best wellbeing support is simply having fun with others. Our recreational workshops are friendly, low-pressure social sessions designed to reduce loneliness and build connection through enjoyable group activities.
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Sessions can include social games, gentle sport and outdoor activities, music-based sessions (rhythm, singing, beginner-friendly group play), and seasonal nature activities such as harvesting, gathering, and beginner-friendly foraging.
Activities are flexible and can be adapted for different ages, abilities, and group goals — including youth groups, scouts, sports teams, and community organisations.
Support and Funding
Your support helps NOC keep delivering inclusive workshops and practical community activity.
Donations make a direct difference — helping with tools, materials, transport, and running costs.
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We also run a small number of paid services and workshops, led by volunteers, to generate income that helps keep the project going.