Join us for a day of reflection, connection and collaboration with other climate groups across the region!
Forest of Collaboration:
A day for climate action groups in North Yorkshire - Hosted by Community First Yorkshire's Village Green project and facilitated by Where the Mind Grows
Friday 11th September - registration open until Monday 31st August 2026
Join us for a facilitated day in nature, bringing together climate action groups from across North Yorkshire to reflect, connect, and share what's working.
Think of it as an 'away day' for your community group. A chance to step back from the day-to-day, celebrate the work you're already doing, and spend time with others doing similar work across the region , for support, ideas, and joyful connection.
We'll spend the day thinking of ourselves as a forest - each group its own small ecosystem- coming together as part of something bigger. It's not about how much you know; it's about what emerges when we share and reflect together, with Nature as our co-facilitator for the day.
Shaped around your priorities, the day's activities are designed to leave you with new insight, hope, and ideas.
You already know, from the work you do, that we can't take action alone. This is a day for collaboration and community.
Join us for a day of reflection, collaboration & action
Where?
Little Seed Field, near Ripon a private woodland in Nidderdale and Where the Mind Grows 'HQ'
When?
Friday 11th September 2026 10:00am–4:00pm (arrive from 9:30am for refreshments)
Who is it for?
We are offering up to two places for members of local North Yorkshire climate action and green action groups. By invitation. With a maximum of 24 places available.
Facilities
The session runs across an indoor barn space and outdoor nature areas, with toilets, changing facilities, and a quiet space for faith or sensory needs. Free parking, a plant-based lunch from a local Yorkshire business, refreshments, and all activity resources are included.
Co-create the day
When you register for this event, you'll be asked a few questions to help co-create the day. This helps cultivate an experience that focuses in on what's most important to climate groups across the region and where your group need space to nurture and reflect. Ahead of attending you'll the receive an outline of the day based on the collective needs, and desired focus of those who are attending.
To register for a place and help create a vision for the day, please complete the short registration form below.
Please note we only have spaces for a maximum of two members from each group to support the diversity on the day.
Your Facilitator for the day
The day will be held by JK (Jennie-Kate) McQuinn of Where the Mind Grows. JK is an experienced coach and facilitator who works with groups and teams to learn with Nature. Not just in it, helping people connect with the strengths already present in their work and each other.
She is regenerative and trauma-informed in her approach, essential approaches for organisations and groups dealing with the poly-crises. With a focus on helping to cultivate inclusive, psychologically safe spaces for groups and teams navigating the complexity of purpose-led work. JK has worked with organisations ranging from grassroots community groups to global businesses, and co-founded the regenerative business leadership programme Think Like A Forest supporting businesses to evolve beyond sustainability and aspire to be aligned with all life.
Where the Mind Grows is a member of the Better Business Network, the Organisation of Responsible Business and the Association of Sustainability Practitioners, and a signatory of the Better Business Act ensuring they don’t just share regenerative insight and approaches but act on it themselves too.
JK hosts the climate coaching alliance meetings in Yorkshire and also launched Yorkshire Nature Practitioner Network earlier this year. Understanding that community and collaboration are integral to the change and cohesion a brighter future needs.
Well-being is at the core of all the focus at Where the Mind Grows, not just human health but the more than human world too, working with Nature to support a healthier, more resilient future. Seeing ourselves AS Nature once again.
A beautiful Nature connected venue to convene together
Join us for this free event
What we hope you'll take away from the day
Feel energised from the time and space to reflect on your groups work, away from the day-to-day
Create connections with other climate groups across the region.
Opportunities for collaboration and inspired ways of taking action.
A chance to explore ideas and solutions to real-life challenges for your group or yourself.
A space to talk openly about staying resilient in work that can be demanding.
Ways to enhance your well-being to support the work you do, which can sometimes feel heavy or hard.
Grow your understanding of regenerative & living systems approaches.
Fresh ideas and inspiration to share or sow with your wider group
The benefit of time in and alongside Nature, for well-being and inspiration.
Sound like an opportunity?
Why your attendance is a valued opportunity for us all:
When we think of a group as a living system (like a forest) we start to see how much individual and collective ideas matter. A forest thrives on feedback and collaboration, adapting and growing to sustain a healthy ecosystem. Diverse groups work the same way.
This day is about embracing the local and regional perspectives of those already working with and for climate in your community.
It isn't about having all the answers, telling each other what to do, or doing and giving more. It's about recognising the value your attendance already brings; the life experience, knowledge and imagination you carry, and what that cultivates together.
We know stepping away for a whole day feels like a big ask when your time is already precious. This day is designed to give time back, not take it. A chance to rest, reflect, and return to your group with fresh energy, ideas and connections.
From groups we've run before, we've seen how a collaborative "forest" approach genuinely enriches the wider work we all do in and for climate, Nature and community.
The day is rooted in reciprocity, mutual respect and curiosity. Funded, with lunch included, so the only thing you need to bring is yourself.
About Village Green Project
Village Green weaves climate conversations into the activities people already enjoy — arts, sport, youth programmes, outdoor events and community projects. By making climate action welcoming and accessible, we aim to inspire more than 8,000 people to build sustainable habits, reduce energy use and lower their carbon footprints.
Alongside community activities, they are supporting the VCSE sector to strengthen its environmental sustainability by:
Creating practical resources and toolkits
Sharing best practice across the region
Amplifying the voice of the sector
Connecting organisations with strategic partners and policymakers
Reducing organisational emissions
Supporting groups to meet sustainability funding requirements
Join us for a day of collaboration, reflection, knowledge exchange and well-being in and alongside Nature.
Express your interest in attending the event and register above before Monday 31st August 2026 by following the link above
Answer a few questions to help us curate the day to your needs and focus. You'll receive confirmation of your attendance soon after registering and further welcome email to help you get there and find out about the agenda on the day.
The session has a limit of 24 people attending - with a maximum of two people from each group please - to allow for the diversity on the day.
