New Forest Wellbeing Group

Hello all,
We’re so excited to be bringing back our 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 and a really welcoming community.

This time we’ll be camping at Purbeck Valley Farm, which is honestly one of the best campsites I’ve ever been to. We’ve been there before as a community in the past and it really is a special place. The campsite overlooks Corfe Castle; the views are incredible and the whole setting feels peaceful, spacious and a world away from the rush of normal life. The sunsets and sunrises there are absolutely incredible.

One of the lovely things about this site is that it still gives us everything that matters about a community camping weekend, but with a few extra comforts too. There are hot showers, sinks for washing up, proper cleaning areas and porcelain toilets. The owner is kindly allowing us to camp there in tents and camper vans, but it is not yet open to the public for tent camping. So although it is a proper campsite, it should still feel peaceful, relaxed and close to nature.

There is still very little light pollution there and when the skies are clear the stars are amazing. I’ve seen shooting stars there before and it really is one of those places that helps you 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. So many people have come along to things like this feeling unsure and gone away feeling calmer, happier and really glad they came.

As a community we help each other throughout the weekend, whether that is setting up camp, sharing food, 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 weekend is £25, which really is an incredible price for two nights in a place like this.
Please request the bank details and use the event date as your reference when making payment. Once that has been done, 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 rather than chasing payments.

What’s included

• Two nights camping in a truly beautiful location
• Hot showers
• Sinks for washing up and proper cleaning areas
• Porcelain toilets
• Campfire in the evening
• Communal barbecues
• A welcoming community experience
• A community walk around Corfe Castle and along the coast with views of Brownsea Island
• Free time on Saturday afternoon to relax, explore and enjoy the area

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 from 2.30pm onwards
• Set up camp
• Relax into the surroundings
• Communal barbecue together in the evening if you’d like to join us
• A short walk around the location
• Relax together around the fire as the evening draws in

Saturday

• Breakfast at your own leisure
• Community walk around Corfe Castle and along the coast, with beautiful views including Brownsea Island in the distance
• Back for lunch
• Free time in the afternoon to relax, explore Corfe Castle or enjoy the surroundings
• Lou and I will probably be hopping on the beautiful steam train from Corfe Castle to Wareham in the afternoon, and you’d be more than welcome to join us
• 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, the views and the community
• No rush to leave, we can stay until later in the day

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 or meeting kind, genuine people, this could be exactly what you need.

I’d love to welcome you along.