Our Workshops
We Offer a Range of Workshops to Meet Your Needs
Growing Horticultural Workshop
Our horticultural workshops offer gentle, hands-on experiences that support wellbeing through meaningful time in nature. In a calm, inclusive setting, participants learn practical growing skills while building confidence, routine, and connection with others.
Activities follow the seasons and can include seed sowing, propagation, bed preparation, mulching, composting, watering routines, and harvesting. We teach natural, low-impact methods such as no-dig growing and companion planting (sometimes called companionship growing) to strengthen soil health, encourage biodiversity, and support pollinators and wildlife.
Sessions are beginner-friendly and can be delivered as standalone workshops or as a structured programme.
Equine Therapy Sessions
Our equine-assisted sessions are ground-based experiences designed to support wellbeing in a calm, supportive outdoor environment.
Working alongside horses encourages focus, confidence, communication, emotional regulation, and trust.
Sessions are structured, accessible, and suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
They can be delivered on their own or paired with horticulture for a balanced wellbeing day.
Nutritional Workshop
Our nutritional workshops focus on practical, achievable steps towards healthier eating and wellbeing.
These sessions connect food, mood, and everyday routine — helping participants build confidence with simple, nourishing choices.
Topics can include seasonal eating, low-waste food habits, basic cooking skills, food storage, and using fresh ingredients in affordable, realistic ways. Where appropriate, we link the learning to what’s being grown, reinforcing a “grow–prepare–eat” journey that supports long-term lifestyle change.
Repair and Reuse Workshops
Our mechanical volunteers run friendly, beginner-focused workshops that help people maintain and troubleshoot common garden tools and machinery — promoting a repair-and-reuse culture that saves money and reduces waste.
Workshops may include basic checks and maintenance (where appropriate), safe handling, end-of-season care, and common fault-finding.
Participants can sometimes bring their own equipment for guidance, and we’ll always be clear about what can be covered safely in a workshop setting.
Recreational Workshops
Sometimes the best wellbeing support is simply having fun with others. Our recreational workshops are friendly, low-pressure social sessions designed to reduce loneliness and build connection through enjoyable group activities.
Sessions can include social games, gentle sport and outdoor activities, music-based sessions (rhythm, singing, beginner-friendly group play), and seasonal nature activities such as harvesting, gathering, and beginner-friendly foraging.
Activities are flexible and can be adapted for different ages, abilities, and group goals — including youth groups, scouts, sports teams, and community organisations.
Support and Funding
Your support helps NOC keep delivering inclusive workshops and practical community activity.
Donations make a direct difference — helping with tools, materials, transport, and running costs.
We also run a small number of paid services and workshops, led by volunteers, to generate income that helps keep the project going.