Nature Connection Training: The 8 Shields

Nature Connection Training: the 8 Shields Model

Format: 4 sessions delivered in 2 days, 10am to 4pm. Small group, maximum 16 people, working in two teams of 8.

Facilitators: Adele Clarke and Malcolm Clarke.

Who it's for: PHC facilitators, volunteers, and to anyone thinking of volunteering and or facilitating with PHC in 2027. 

Dates and venue: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November 2026, at the Planetary Healing Centre Community Woodland.

Time: 10am to 4pm 

Price: by donation or free.

Description:

Deepen your own connection with nature, and learn to guide others into it, using the 8 Shields model. In this training, over two days you will move through all eight directions of the cycle, and for each one you will learn, design and lead a real nature activity with your group.

The 8 Shields is a model of nature-based mentoring and cultural repair, developed by Jon Young and the 8 Shields Institute. This work will follow the natural flow of a day around the wheel. We will begin in the North-East and travel sunrise through the East, South and West, ending in the North. You can use this design for workshops, programmes, gatherings and whole communities that feel alive and connected.

This training is deliberately practical. You will learn the essence of each direction, then work in a team to turn it into a 30-minute activity and deliver it to the whole group. You will experience the other team's activities as a participant, and reflect together on what worked and why.

No prior knowledge of the 8 Shields is needed.

You will leave with:

• A lived, embodied understanding of all eight directions and how they flow together
• Eight tested activity ideas you can take straight into your own work
• Experience leading a group in a supportive, real setting in nature
• Build your confidence in using the 8 Shields to design your own sessions and programmes
• Stronger bonds with the PHC facilitator and volunteer team

To book or ask any questions, contact Claudia at the Planetary Healing Centre.

Four sessions delivered in 2 days

The training is delivered as four 3-hour sessions, each covering two directions of the wheel.

Sat 10am to 1pm: North East and East Shields

Sat 1pm to 4pm: South East and South Shields

Sun 10am to 1pm: South West and West Shields

Sun 1pm to 4pm: North West and North Shields

Each session runs the same way: teaching on both directions (30 min), team preparation (30 min), first delivery (30 min), second delivery (30 min).

Timetable

Both days run 10am to 4pm including an hour for lunch in between. Reflection happens in the circle at the end of each day.

MEET ADELE CLARKE

Adele brings a deep well of knowledge to her always well-attended workshops delivering nature connection, forest school, deepening our nature connection and 8 shields activities since 2010. Some of her experience includes: Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative- delivering nature connection activities to school groups/ home education groups in Edinburgh and Fife. Studies of Indigenous People & Knowledge Systems- e.g. Q’ero and Quechuan peoples of Peru and Bolivia and the Misak of Colombia

OUR FUNDER

The Scottish Forestry Trust

NOTE: If you book and do not show up without providing a reason, it might impact your ability to book with us in the future.

QUESTIONS ? If you have any questions before or on the day regarding this event, please text: 07944 156882.

If you need any other support or have any concerns please contact our office on email holistic@planetary-healing.org or text: 075 0443 8763.

CAR LIFT SHARE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1146040586448542

WHERE : Meet at The HUT at the Planetary Healing Community Woodland, Cockburnhill Road, Balerno, EH14 7JB. Bus 44 / 44A. At the village, stop at the third bus stop after the roundabout. From there, enter Cockburnhill Road and walk for approximately 15 minutes and at the V junction turn right and walk for 2 minutes until you see the Planetary Healing sign on your left. Once you've reached the sign, enter the woodland and follow the stream, crossing the bridges as you go.

DONATIONS: Our work is made possible by our funders, supporting access for those facing financial hardship and wellbeing challenges. If that’s you, please book a FREE space here. If however, you are someone who can donate, it helps us cover core costs that usually are not supported by funders. Cash donation on the day is also okay.

PARKING: No parking in front of the woodland. Please park near Pirnie Ha' House. From Pirnie Ha', proceed straight ahead until you reach the V junction, turn right and continue walking for approximately 2 minutes. The woodland is on your left.

WEATHER: Mix of indoors and outdoors session, please bring warm and waterproof layers to wear.

ACCESSIBILITY: If you have a mobility impairment and are travelling by bus, please get in touch with us on 075 0443 8763 — we'll be glad to help, whether with a lift from the bus stop or by reserving a parking space closer to the woodland. Please also allow an extra 15 to 20 minutes to walk from the gate to the hut. Sadly, the woodland is not wheelchair accessible.

EMAIL REMINDER: You will get an email reminder of your event 3 days before it. Please make sure you add holistic@planetary-healing.org to your email address book or safe senders list. Also keep a regular eye on your inbox and spam folders as sometimes our emails end up there. This way you won't miss out on any important updates regarding your booking.

NOTE: On your arrival, please feel free to let us know your preferred pronouns (e.g. he/him, she/her, they/them) and what name you would like us to refer to you by.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Space is limited, so if for any reason you need to cancel, please let us know asap, so we can free up the space for others on the waiting list. Due to the amount of work involved, donations are non-refundable.

WHAT TO BRING: We will provide soup, tea and cups. Please bring a packed lunch and also nibbles to share.

PHOTOS: Occasionally we take group pictures for promotions, reports, funders, newsletter and social media. If you would prefer not to be in the picture, please communicate this to the facilitator on arrival.

Location

Venue: PHC's HUT, Community Woodland, Cockburnhill Road / Buteland Road, EH14 7JB