Women's Circle with Clay, Fire and Community: Environmental Art Therapy
Women's Circle with Clay, Fire and Community: Environmental Art Therapy
Share this event
Need help?
Breathe soul into your bones: time with the wild woman archetype
A four day course over 2 weekends; 5-6th September and 3-4th October 2026, 10:30am - 3pm each day.
This will be a safe, held space for women in Heartwood’s unique private woodland. Guided by Mary and Kate, both art psychotherapists and ceramic artists, over two weekends - using clay, poetry, movement, drumming and ritual to explore myth, inner story and spiritual enquiry. Create your own expressive pottery, fired together in the ancient tradition of pit-firing.
Special Offer
In celebration of the abundance of Lammas we are offering a discount. Use code Lammas45 to receive a £45 discount.
This will be
A small group for 8 women.
An experiential workshop.
Requires commitment to both weekends, allowing work to deepen over time.
No previous pottery experience is needed and all materials and equipment are included in the workshop fee.
The work is deeply therapeutic, though not a substitute for individual therapy.
Your pottery travels home with you at the end.
This is for you if
You are in a stable place with your mental health.
You are curious about creative self-expression through clay.
You feel drawn to being part of a women’s circle.
You love being in nature and don’t mind the elements.
You are open to exploring myth, story and ritual.
You are excited to try the ancient art of pit-firing.
You are ready to commit to the full journey across both weekends.
Your hosts
Kate Ackroyd Cooke
Kate has always been drawn to wild places and the natural world. After 20 years of teaching Biology, her own path of change and healing led her to pottery and training as an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist. She now works as an art therapist for a charity and privately, bringing together her love of making, nature, and therapeutic work.
Mary Nieder
Mary has spent 25 years working as an NHS doctor before following her creative intuition to retrain as an HCPC registered Art Psychotherapist. She has found personal healing and aliveness by reconnecting with the earth through her claywork and at Heartwood is developing her nature-based practice.
Practicalities and Venue
Come expecting to be outside, whatever the weather and wear shoes suitable for uneven terrain. There is a firepit for warmth and some shelter from the elements under canvas. There is a composting toilet with handwashing facilities. The site is not wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility or other needs, please discuss with us before booking.
We will meet at the parking area near the farm buildings and walk down to the forest camp together.
Please bring your own packed lunch, we will provide hot drinks and homemade vegan cake.
One you have booked your place we will be in touch by email a week before the event to confirm the details of the course.
Access Considerations
The drive up to the farm is along a 1km long unsurfaced track, which isn't suitable for low vehicles. The farm is a working farm and the ground is uneven in some areas.
Park in the designated parking area near the farm buildings. As we are a working farm, with animals that move on a grazing rotation, you must keep with the group throughout this event so we can keep everyone safe.
The forest camp is a 1km walk from the parking area. There is a compost toilet and handwashing facilities at the camp and toilets near the parking area.
Contact and Further Information
If you have any queries contact mary@heartwoodsfc.com
www.heartwoodsfc.com
Location
Heartwood CIC, DE4 5JX