What We Offer

At Welcome to the Lion’s Den in Wigan, we provide bushcraft sessions that put the person taking part at the centre of their learning.

Through practical outdoor activities, we support confidence, emotional regulation, communication, resilience and independence. Sessions give people time to explore, make things, work through challenges and enjoy learning at their own pace.

Practical Outdoor Learning

Activities can include:

• Den building — exploring ideas, solving problems and working together.

• Fire lighting — practising preparation, focus and safe decision-making.

• Outdoor cooking — taking part in practical tasks and enjoying food prepared together.

• Woodland tasks — developing useful skills through hands-on activities suited to the individual.

We recognise effort and progress, whether someone is trying an activity for the first time or becoming more independent.

Who Are Sessions For?

We welcome children, young people and adults, including autistic people, people with ADHD or learning difficulties, and young people involved in the youth justice system.

You do not need previous bushcraft experience. We welcome people from all backgrounds and work with individuals, families, schools and services to understand what support is needed to take part.

Before sessions begin, we discuss each person’s needs, interests, communication preferences and any access or safety requirements. This helps us plan suitable activities and support.

More Than Learning Bushcraft Skills

Georgia’s Approach guides how we deliver every session. We begin by building a connection, listening to the person’s voice and recognising their strengths.

For children, this means involving them in choices, noticing how they communicate and adapting activities around their needs. The same respect for individual choice and pace applies to adults.

Alongside practical skills, we offer opportunities to recognise feelings, ask for help, take a break and try a different way when something is difficult. Calm encouragement and clear, caring boundaries support learning throughout the session.

Sessions That Fit the Individual

We plan sessions around the people taking part and the support they need. Activities, pace, breaks and the level of guidance can be adapted following a discussion with the individual and, where appropriate, their family, school or supporting service.

Together, we agree what they would like to work towards. This might be feeling more comfortable alongside others, communicating a need, trying something new or completing a task with greater independence.

At the Lion’s Den, everyone is treated with dignity and respect, with time to learn, room to be themselves and encouragement to grow.