What is Wild Mothers?
Wild Mothers is a wilderness therapeutic programme designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of mothers navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood. We invite you to reconnect with nature in a peaceful and private woodland, spending mindful hours outdoors as part of a small group of mothers. The three hour sessions are designed to allow space for exploring your experience of matrescence through group discussions, gentle therapeutic invitations, grounding exercises and meditation.
Who is it for?
Wild Mothers is suitable for mothers with pre-walking babies who are looking for a small, supportive and inclusive community where honest and raw discussion about the individual experiences of motherhood is encouraged. The sessions are designed in a way that enable mothers to come along with their babies but you are also welcome to attend without.
Please note that whilst there are therapeutic elements to this programme, Wild Mothers is not a therapy group. If you are experiencing mental health difficulties that are impacting your day-to-day life or if you are in a crisis, please reach out to your GP, a trained therapist or a mental health support crisis line here.
Who is behind Wild Mothers?
Wild Mothers is run by Dorka and Ellie, two mothers passionate about supporting other mothers.
I'm Dorka, a Forest School leader and wilderness therapeutic practitioner. I have a one year old daughter called Safi. Becoming a mother has been the most challenging experience in my life so far; connecting with other mothers going through a similar experience has been crucial for my sanity. Having benefitted from the power of peer support and the wisdom of other mothers, I wanted to enable others to have access to this as well. Wild Mothers combines two of my deep interests: nature and mental health.
I'm Ellie, a registered midwife and Professional Midwifery Advocate. I have a one year old daughter called Marianne. I have lots of NHS experience and now have a business offering gentle reflection sessions to help understand and process birth. I have been running a group called Cambridge Creative Parents where I fuse art with journalling to allow a creative outlet for parents to reflect on their experience of parenthood. I am very excited to collaborate on a new project with Dorka as I love supporting other mothers.
What previous clients have said
Sophie
Wild Mothers was such a warm, authentic and compassionate space in which to begin to process my transition into motherhood. I felt able to reconnect with more creative, mindful and playful aspects of myself and to allow challenging but important feelings to arise in a healing way. The sessions became the highlight of my week!
Tas
Each week it felt like the session was just what I needed and no matter how I arrived emotionally, it was always a positive experience. Wild Mothers is a wonderful space to be open about the challenges and emotions in motherhood.
Rosie
The Wild Mothers sessions were both a peaceful escape and a transformative liminal space that always shifted a negative mindset so you left feeling more capable. I was surprised how much the sessions positively affected me and helped me reset each week!
Key information
Where: Wild Mothers takes place in a private woodland on the edge of the village of Hardwick, about a 15-20 minute drive from the city of Cambridge. For those without a car, we try our best to find ways to carpool. Exact address will be shared with participants after sign up.
When: Wild Mothers is a six week long programme. Sessions will take place starting at 10am and finishing at 1pm each time unless otherwise specified. The dates for the next programme are: Thursday 30 July, Thursday 6 August, Thursday 13 August, Thursday 20 August, Thurday 27 Augut and Saturday 5 September.
Cost: £250 which includes six three-hour sessions and coffee, tea and snacks.
How to sign up?
Step 1: Fill out our entry form here and let us know you are interested by sending us an email.
Step 2: We will email you with further instructions and information.
Any questions?
Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions:
wildmotherscambs@gmail.com Dorka - 07821818555 Ellie - 07432035117
Wild Mothers is affiliated with the Baby Village in Cambridge - a community offering connection, support and space for mothers navigating early parenthood. Find out more here.
