Privileged to be an estate agent in Holmfirth, we’re graced with some of the most breath-taking scenery in the country. Within the landscape are some fantastic, quirky, and soulful businesses which we are desperate to support. This month, we shine a spotlight on Eden’s Forest CIC, a social enterprise nestled within 30 hectares of woodland near Honley. Let’s discover more about this inspiring organisation and the team behind it.
1. Sum up your business in 100 words.
Eden’s Forest CIC is a social enterprise near Honley within a 30-hectare woodland, actively supporting and improving the mental health and wellbeing of adults, children, and families facing anxiety, loneliness, depression, low self-esteem, and more. Activities are delivered in a well-resourced facility featuring a roundhouse, tipi, firepit, 5* rated kitchen, tool area, and compost toilets. Staff, beneficiaries, and volunteers collaborate to inspire positive change and create a supportive environment through activities like Forest Therapy, crafts, physical challenges, and yoga. Alongside individual sessions, we support community groups like Pennine Domestic Violence Partnership and run popular holiday clubs, enrichment days, and team wellbeing sessions.
2. Tell us about you and/or your team.
Eight trustees head the organisation, with Adam Waterman, Kay Valentine, and Nicola Simpson running the day-to-day operations and sessions. Our session delivery team includes current teachers, ETAs, and experienced/qualified craft practitioners, specialists, and coaches. A special mention must be made of our team of volunteers who keep so much of our provision serviced and running smoothly.
3. What makes you and your business unique? What are your specialties?
With our sessions being hosted within a 30-hectare ancient, deciduous woodland, we are one of only a handful of similar services in the UK. Beneficiaries highlight the importance of sharing time around the campfire and value being under no pressure to engage with anything more than the tranquillity of the woods.
4. What is your biggest business achievement to date?
We continue to grow year on year, proud of our trading/grant ratio of 70/30, and have been recipients of ‘Start Up of the Year’ and finalists for the category ‘Environmental Social Enterprise’ with Social Enterprise Yorkshire & Humberside.
5. How long has your business been trading?
We were constituted in 2017 and began trading in earnest in 2019.
6. What is your favourite thing about living in Yorkshire?
To be honest, the people and their warmth.
7. When you are not at work where is the one place you love to visit?
My only personal complaint is that we’re largely landlocked from the coast!
8. Please make us aware of any services or promotions you would like us to share within the article.
We’re currently running a variety of sessions, including holiday clubs, wellbeing/team building, crafting, and supporting our community-based partners.
Follow Eden’s Forest CIC on social media @edensforestcic or visit them in Honley to discover more about their valuable work in the community!
You can find them here...
