Nature Nurture - Register your interest
Join our therapeutic practitioner for a relaxing afternoon in the forest, aimed at supporting the wellbeing of expecting and new parents.
Date and time
Location
The Hive
Church Road Waltham Abbey IG10 4AJ United KingdomAbout this event
- Event lasts 112 days 2 hours
Register your interest for Autumn 2025
How it works: If you or your child will be at a stage to benefit from Nature Nurture from September to December 2025, then checking out this 'ticket' will register your interest. If we have sufficient participants to run sessions, we will contact everyone and open up bookings.
Sessions will run fortnightly on Mondays (during term time), from 13:00 to 14:45
More about Nature Nurture
Pregnancy and early parenthood are an impactful but sometimes stressful time. Nurturing your mental and physical health has lasting positive benefits for you and your child and is anything but selfish. Our therapeutic practitioner has specifically designed this programme to nurture new and expecting parents’ wellbeing, so you come away feeling cared for, supported and better equipped to ride the waves. In the small group setting you can connect with others and the natural world and feel part of a wider support network. For those with young babies, it is also a wonderful opportunity to bond, as you experience the gentle stimulation of the natural world in a safe and supported way. We strongly believe that you deserve this experience.
Sessions will include a short walk to a secluded part of Epping Forest, where you can choose to participate in what serves you best: guided meditation and mindfulness techniques, simple crafts, chatting with others around a cuppa, or relaxing in your own chill-out space to soak up the woodland atmosphere. We will set up picnic mats and simple sensory items for babies who are sitting and crawling, so they can engage at their level. All resources will be provided, including a range of seating or lying options for your comfort and relaxation.
Nature Nurture is designed to be more focussed on the parent, so those with youngsters who are toddling, may find it harder to fully participate. We suggest that children who are babes in arms up to crawling, are the best fit for this group. For children who are walking confidently, we would recommend our Squirrels Forest School, where the focus is more on play and the child’s development.
*Please note, that although this event is designed by someone therapeutically trained, it is not therapy. We can provide signposting to other services if required.
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for FAQ and email us if you have any further questions: thehive@walthamforest.gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
Yes, free parking is included in your ticket. We also have bike racks for those who prefer two wheels.
Yes! We welcome new parents and their babies, whatever your family dynamic.
This event is specifically designed for expecting mothers and those with younger babies (up to around 9 months), so you can focus more on your own needs, without running after more active toddlers. We would recommend arranging childcare for older children or bring them to our Squirrels club instead.
Our main session will be held in the relaxing Epping Forest, a few hundred yards from the Hive main building. At the Centre, we have car parking and bike racks, toilets with baby change, and water fountains. We do not have a shop or café but there are some locally.
We understand that you and your baby may have immediate needs. If you are comfortable feeding in the forest, there are plenty of quiet spaces and you can bring your baby change with you. We will provide running water from a container, and hand sanitiser. It is a simple route back to the Centre.
We will provide drinks and simple snacks and you are welcome to bring your own to eat in the woods. There is no café at the Hive but there are options nearby e.g. The Owl pub, The King’s Head pub, the Original Tea Hut, and the tea hut by High Beach carpark.
We go ahead in most weathers and would only tend to cancel in high wind or storm conditions. In which case, we offer a refund or alternative date. If you cancel a single session (>24hrs notice), we can rearrange it. The cost of our block booking reflects the reality that you may miss some sessions.
Obviously, we encourage you to dress for the weather. We have extra waterproofs and wellies available to borrow at our centre, as well as plenty of blankets. We are experienced in working outdoors in all weathers and modifying to the conditions (e.g. a campfire in our grounds if it is very cold).
Organized by
The Hive is an environmental education centre that teaches about the natural world and climate action.