New Forest Wellbeing Group

Hello,
How about a gentle wander through some of the most beautiful parts of the New Forest, followed by Sunday lunch together afterwards at Careys Manor.
This one feels especially special because Careys Manor has very kindly opened Sunday lunch especially for New Forest Wellbeing and our community. It is not something they normally do, which makes this a really lovely opportunity. They are also giving us our own exclusive room and use of the veranda as well.
This is a lovely New Forest walk at a welcoming pace, around 5.8 miles, with beautiful views along the way. We walk together as a community, there is no pressure, no one gets left behind, and pace is not an issue. You do not need to be anything other than yourself. You come as you are, rather than trying to fit into what we think we should be.
What this is really about
New Forest Wellbeing is about kindness, connection, and building a real community. It is a safe, welcoming space where you can chat, listen, and just be. A simple walk and a few honest conversations can make a big difference, especially if you are feeling stressed or carrying a lot. If it is your first time, you will be made to feel more than welcome.
Sometimes what we need most is a few hours to step away from the noise, our phones, slow down, and feel part of something real. This is a lovely welcoming community with people from all walks of life, where you can come exactly as you are. Time and time again people leave feeling lighter, more connected, and better able to deal with whatever life is throwing at them. The challenges may not disappear, but creating a bit of space in nature and around good people can make a real difference and sometimes bring a different perspective.
Plan for the day
Arrival
Optional tea and coffee available at your own cost
A short talk, then we set off for the walk
Back for Sunday lunch afterwards at Careys Manor in our own private space, with use of the veranda as well.
To help everything run smoothly for the hotel and to make sure you get what you want rather than what may be left on the day, Sunday lunch will need to be pre-ordered.
Once payment has been received, please book your place on Meetup. I will then send you the menu when I receive it so I can get your pre-order.
Cost and booking
The cost for the event is £20 all in, which includes the walk and Sunday lunch. Any drinks are at your own cost. This is a subsidised price to support us and the community, and a really special price for what Careys Manor is kindly putting on for us.
Payment must be made in advance into the CIC bank account before you book your place on Meetup. Payment is non-refundable. Please use the date of the event as your payment reference. If you need the bank details, please message me.
This is all for the community
New Forest Wellbeing CIC is a not-for-profit. I keep events priced as low as I can, I do not take a wage from this, and any proceeds after costs go back into creating more community wellbeing events.
If you have not been before, have a look at our previous posts to get a feel for what the community is like and what people say about it. If you have been before, we are always really grateful for comments, as it helps other people feel more comfortable coming along.
With warmth,
Mark
New Forest Wellbeing CIC

Hello all,
We’re really excited to be bringing back another community camping weekend.

This is a chance to step away from the noise of everyday life and spend a weekend in nature with lovely people, meaningful conversation, campfires, barbecues and a really welcoming community.

This time we’ll be camping right next to Shaftesbury, in a beautiful countryside location with lovely views, great facilities and a peaceful feeling of being close to nature. It has showers, toilets and everything we need for a comfortable but still proper camping weekend.
One of the special things about this site is that it feels like you are away from it all, but you are still only around 800 metres from the famous Gold Hill in Shaftesbury. So over the weekend you can enjoy the campsite, the views, the fire, the community and also have the option to wander into one of the most beautiful little towns around.
There is hardly any light pollution there, so if we get clear skies, it should be a beautiful place to sit out in the evening, slow down and take it all in.
This weekend is about much more than camping.

It is about connection, wellbeing, kindness and giving yourself the chance to do something a little different. Sometimes the best things happen when we step a little outside our comfort zone, but with the right people around us.

So many people have come along to our community events feeling unsure and gone away feeling calmer, happier and really glad they came.
Some people have even said they thought camping was not for them, then came along, felt welcomed, made new friendships and left saying they could not wait to do it again.
That is what these weekends are really about.

You come as you are, not what the world expects you to be.
As a community, we help each other throughout the weekend, whether that is setting up camp, sharing food, cooking around the barbecue, sitting by the fire, having a conversation or simply helping someone feel at ease.
No one has to be anything other than themselves.

Important booking information
To secure your place, the cost for the whole weekend is £26 per person.
Please request the bank details and use the event date as your reference when making payment. Once payment has been made, please then book your place on Meetup.
This helps us cover the weekend and support future community wellbeing events. Any proceeds after costs go back into creating more community wellbeing events.
Please only book if you are ready to make payment, as I want to spend my time helping people and creating these events rather than chasing payments.

What’s included
Two nights camping in a beautiful countryside location
Showers and toilets
Communal barbecues both evenings
Campfire both evenings
A welcoming community experience
A Saturday community walk
Free time to relax, connect, explore Shaftesbury or enjoy the campsite
A chance to step away from the noise and be around kind, genuine people
Please bring your own tent, sleeping bag, food and usual camping gear. You can keep it as simple or as comfortable as you like.
A lot of people help each other out and there is usually a lovely community feel around setting up, cooking and sharing the weekend together.
You do not need to be an experienced camper. You just need a tent, a sleeping bag and an open mind.
Weekend plan
Friday
Arrive and set up camp
Relax into the surroundings
Communal barbecue together in the evening if you’d like to join us
Sit around the fire as the evening draws in
Time to chat, unwind and settle into the weekend
Saturday
Breakfast at your own leisure
A lovely community walk together in the morning
Back to the campsite afterwards
Free time in the afternoon to relax, spend time with the group, pop into Shaftesbury or do whatever takes your fancy
Communal barbecue together in the evening if you’d like to join in
Campfire as the sun goes down
Sunday
Breakfast at your own pace
A relaxed morning enjoying the site and the community
Time to pack down without rushing
A final bit of connection before we head home
This really is such a lovely opportunity to spend time in nature with good people in a safe and welcoming environment.
It is a chance to switch off a bit, connect more deeply, laugh, relax and maybe even surprise yourself.
If you’ve been thinking about doing something different, getting out into nature, meeting kind people or stepping a little outside your comfort zone, this could be exactly what you need.
I’d love to welcome you along.