Art in Nature

Sometimes the simplest days out can leave the biggest impact.

Recently, members of our community came together for a special Art in Nature community day filled with connection, conversation, creativity and shared experiences at beautiful botanical gardens at Wakehurst Place.

With special thanks to Angie and Shirley from Holistic Harmony CIC for organising the day.

From laughter and meaningful moments to trying something new, the day offered space to relax, recharge and enjoy being together in a supportive environment. Community Connections staff and clients were able to join in with all sorts of activities such as touring the Millennium Seed Bank, forest bathing, Trees and Bees walk and survey. The manor house was open to view or you could take part in all sorts of crafts, poetry and a amazing drumming sessions.

Such beautiful grounds to do forest bathing, I’ve never been so relaxed.

Below, one of our participants shares their personal reflections on the experience in their own words, alongside a gallery of moments captured throughout the day.
We’ll also be sharing a write-up from the staff team soon, offering another glimpse into what made the day so memorable.

Finding comfort, freedom and familiar faces in nature

The day from a client’s perspective

“It was such a wonderful day.
It was really nice to have the freedom to arrive when we wanted and do our own thing while also having the comfort and reassurance of knowing that there would be people we know there.

The weather was fantastic and all of the different activities were brilliant.
I took my daughter with me and she really enjoyed herself too.

It was so lovely seeing familiar faces from the Hub and having a picnic together while still having the freedom to come and go as we pleased.

It was an amazing day and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been able to attend this event. 

Thank you so much.”

What a lovely relaxing way to spend the day – great weather, great company and great activities.

The Importance of Connection

The day from a staff member’s perspective

“Attending the community day at Wakehurst with Waythrough — even while on maternity leave — was such a grounding and uplifting experience.

Bringing my 7-week-old baby boy along made the day feel even more meaningful, as I was able to share a small glimpse of what life looked like for me before he arrived: working within the community and connecting with others.

Although I wasn’t able to take part in the “Rhythms of the Earth” session, I loved hearing the drums echo through the landscape. There was something both calming and energising about the sound carried through nature.

The Forest Bathing session was especially beautiful and definitely one of my favourite parts of the day. It gave me the chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and truly appreciate the environment around me — something that can be difficult to find time for these days. I was also quietly proud that my little one stayed settled throughout the session!

More than anything, the day reminded me how important connection is — connection with nature, with community, and with myself. As a new parent, returning to work-related spaces can sometimes feel a little isolating, but the warmth and openness from everyone made me feel genuinely welcomed and supported. I left feeling lighter, reconnected, and incredibly grateful to have shared the experience with my team, volunteers, clients, and most importantly, my baby boy by my side.”

The joy of the Djembe drums was completely infectious — even from the sidelines!

Photos from the Day

The gardens were full of small moments that felt almost storybook-like — from the intricate jewel tones of the pheasant’s plumage catching the sunlight, to the twisting, gnarled branches that looked as though they had quietly watched over the grounds for centuries.

Wandering beneath the lavender wisteria arches felt like stepping through a secret doorway into another world, while friendly ducks and curious geese drifted across the lakes adding their own gentle charm to the landscape. Around every corner there seemed to be another burst of colour, reflection, texture, or unexpected little moment of calm.

See an excerpt of the wonderful Rhythms of the Earth workshop led by the charismatic West African percussionist, Mohamed Gueye on Djembe drums.

Mohamed Gueye  Facebook  instagram.com/mohaguewel  mohamed.gueye.79
Wakehurst Place @wakehurst.kew  kew.org/wakehurst
Holistic Harmony CIC Holistic Harmony CIC  www.holisticharmonycic.org.uk