The First Day of Woodland Works

Yesterday we started Woodland Works, bringing male survivors of childhood sexual abuse together at Hakeford Woods in North Devon for the first day of what we hope will become a long-term project.

We had a fantastic turnout. The idea behind the day was for people to take part in whatever way suited them. There was plenty to do, but no expectation that everyone needed to be busy or involved in the same thing.

Some helped put up the canvas shelter while others prepared vegetables for the stew. Benches were made, foliage was cleared to make room for steps, wood was collected and chopped, and a sideboard was put in place to start forming our temporary woodland kitchen.

It was good to see how naturally people found something they wanted to do. Some got stuck into the physical work, others helped with food or the fire, while there was also space to sit, take a walk or simply enjoy being in the woodland.

That is an important part of Woodland Works. There will be days when someone doesn’t feel able to take part in an activity. Getting there and spending time around other people may be enough. Someone can sit by the fire, wander off for a while, breathe and take in the surroundings, then come back when they are ready.

While we were working, conversations happened naturally. People spoke about their experiences, how they were feeling and some of the ups and downs of recovery. We talked about isolation, unmasking and the importance of having somewhere we can feel safe around other people.

For many male survivors, talking about childhood sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult, particularly when they are at the beginning of trying to understand what happened to them and how it has affected their lives. Being around other survivors can help. You don’t necessarily have to tell your own story. Sometimes listening to someone else’s conversation, recognising something of yourself in their experience or simply realising that you are not alone can begin to challenge some of the shame that has been carried in silence.

That was something I noticed happening during the day. Nobody was asked to have these conversations; they just happened while people were working, sitting around the fire or spending time together. Breaking the silence doesn’t always have to begin with sitting down and telling your story. Sometimes being alongside others, listening and doing something together can be a starting point.

One of my favourite parts of the day was when the stew was ready. One survivor buttered the bread, another got the bowls together, and everyone gradually came back to the fire.

We sat down, ate together and chatted.

It was a simple moment, but probably one of the most important parts of the day. Different people had contributed in different ways and then we all came together to share the meal.

The first session also gave us a chance to understand how people might use the space and what they need from it. Woodland Works is intended to develop over time, and we don’t want to arrive with everything already decided. The hope is that survivors will help shape the site, learn new skills and be able to feel proud of what they have contributed, both individually and together.

We couldn’t do this without Hakeford Woods, who have given us the space and freedom to develop the project. We are also working closely with moMENtum, who helped promote the session within their membership and offered lifts to help people get there.

By the end of the day we had put up a shelter, made benches, cleared ground, started a kitchen, chopped wood, cooked a stew and eaten together.

It felt like a very successful first step for Woodland Works, and I’m looking forward to seeing where we take it next.

Find out more about Woodland Works and the thinking behind the project.