About Catkin & Conker
Catkin & Conker exists to build meaningful connections between people and nature. When we feel rooted in the natural world, we are likely to feel happier, more emotionally balanced, and more at home in ourselves. We feel a sense of purpose; we feel like we belong.
Catkin & Conker creates opportunities to explore the wild world beyond our front doors - awakening wonder, whatever our age or stage of life. Whether it’s mud-painting with tots, campfire cooking with kids, willow weaving with ‘hens’, or bringing the seasons indoors for care home residents, each session aims to engage the senses and renew our appreciation for the million tiny miracles unfolding around us every day.
"Nature always wears the colours of the spirit." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Who runs Catkin & Conker?
Hi, I’m Lucy. I’ve been lucky to spend a whole career working with people and nature as an environmental educator, a forest school leader, a teacher trainer (in forest schools and outdoor learning), a wildlife project officer and a community gardener. I’ve learned from some pretty wonderful people along the way. Creating Catkin & Conker has allowed me to weave my experience and passion into something that offers others a chance to slow down, reconnect, and find joy in nature - whatever their age or background.
What do we do?
Catkin & Conker offers hands-on nature craft and connection for all ages. This takes many forms: kids' holiday activities in the grounds of a stately home or a team day in a local office, welcoming people to a public workshop or working seasonally with schools. The Sunshine Sessions are a favourite offering, bringing the outside in for residents of local care homes and inviting local children to join us, building connections between generations and deepening everyone's relationship with nature along the way.
An unexpected outcome of creating Catkin & Conker has been the opportunity to spend time developing my own creative skills, and I'm delighted to begin offering some of my willow work and botanical casts for sale.
Location
Catkin & Conker has an active Instagram and Facebook presence, sharing ideas and inspiration to connect you and your loved ones (whether young or old) to nature. I live in Oxted, Surrey; explore the website to see what’s on locally and find out if Catkin & Conker could deliver activities at your event or workshops at your venue.
