Tales from Tortworth Arboretum – Stef’s story

I’ve spent the past 5 years living as a disabled person with a less than fabulous immune system in a pandemic. It’s been some of the hardest years of my life slowly being shut out of places as protections were removed and healthy people decided they’d like to move on and just accept repeat infections and community spread. Government figures said people like me were sick anyway and therefore would be fine to die off. It’s been awful for my soul.

I’ve been in my sick bed, going through Lyme disease treatment, so passionate about community but shut out from it.

Also during this time my family have been through something unspeakably awful which rocked my faith in other people and set my mental health back decades.

I spoke with a social prescriber who tried to find me something to do with nature that was wheelchair accessible. I knew my chances were low of finding anything, let alone something close by as I don’t drive.

To my amazement, Tortworth Forest Centre had a wellbeing group close to me and they had just made their roundhouse accessible. There’s no walls so airborne viruses and the like are much less likely to mingle.

They even have a minibus that could take me. I cannot stress what an incredible resource a simple minibus is.

When I went, everyone was welcoming, kind, true to themselves and how they were feeling and I rediscovered the magic of community. People spoke honestly about their week and how they were doing, their excitement and their struggles were for all to share in. I’ve been supported, hugged, made tea and toast with communal plastic crockery and offered a sensory toy.
The staff, who facilitate expertly, are also wonderful. They bring humour, lightness and incredible cooking skills, even without electricity.

The beauty of the woods is plain for all to see. Its presence is a spirit of time gone by, calm, quiet, old and gentle. The diversity of the forest is wonderful and each season brings new discoveries and hidden joys made visible. I’ve picked cedar for my Christmas decor, I’ve got cones from a Chinese redwood that live on my bedroom table, I’ve harvested wild garlic that’s in my fridge to become pesto. I’ve touched something eternal and bigger than me.

Each week there’s different activities and my inner child can’t wait to get stuck in. I made a candle that lives in my kitchen, reminding me of the fun I had making it. I rediscovered an enjoyment of painting. I even wove willow which I am very excited about!

Tortworth provides everything a human needs to feel good and a minibus to get you there and back. It’s a miracle and I feel much better for going.
There’s a real feeling of contentment knowing that I have one day where I can rest, play, enjoy community and access nature. The government can announce any number of hateful things, for those 3 hours I am saved.

It makes me so happy to know that there’s a thriving community space near me that’s offering such a lifeline to those who need it.

I hope for 10 more years of this wonderful place and all the goodness it brings.