Lewisham · southeast London
Whittling and spoon carving classes in Lewisham and southeast London. Learn safely, outdoors, in your local park. No experience needed.
Is this you?
You'd love to try whittling but don't know where to start. Or you want your child to learn a real skill, safely, outdoors.
How a session works
Carving and wellbeing
Carving is slow and steady. Your hands are busy and your mind gets quiet. It's good for children and grown ups alike.
For adults, it's a calm break from busy lives and screens. For children, it builds confidence, helps them regulate, and shows them they are capable and trusted.
And it all starts outdoors, with wood from the trees around us.
Safe from the very first cut
Whatever your age, you learn the safe grips first and build up from there. Children wear a cut resistant glove on the hand holding the wood. Everyone learns to manage risk, not just follow rules.
Made by hand
Every spoon starts as a branch. These were all carved by hand, with a knife and a hook knife.
Courses
Not sure which one suits you? Send me an email and I'll help.
Next date
A calm half day of whittling outdoors. Adults only, no experience needed, and you take home what you make. Wood and tools included.
11:45am to 2:45pm · bring a packed lunch
The orchard, Wildcat Wilderness. Gate next to 53 Riverview Park, SE6 4PL
£30 · only 6 spaces
Learn knife safety, how to read the grain, and carve something useful. A calm, mindful few hours outdoors.
Half day, 3 to 4 hours · £50 per person · min 4
Learn side by side, and look after each other safely as a team.
Ask for dates
Just you, or bring one or two friends.
Half day, 3 to 4 hours · £200
Ages 7 and up, for up to 6 children. I bring tools and wood.
From £300
After school clubs, holiday clubs, and term long Forest School for EYFS, SEN and SEMH groups.
Ask for a quote
Carving together, away from the screen.
Ask for a quote
About me
I've worked with children in southeast London since 2015, many of them from inner city homes with little time in nature, and many with additional needs. I believe time outdoors builds resilience and self worth.
Green woodworking is my own craft too. I carve spoons, and I love teaching adults just as much as children: complete beginners, friends, families and teams.
For schools
Forest School is a long term, child led way of learning outdoors. Meaningful change takes time, so for schools I run programmes over a whole term. Looking for a one off carving session instead? See the courses.
Sustained engagementWeekly sessions build trust, skills and real, lasting change.
Child led discoverySessions follow the children's curiosity. I facilitate, the child leads.
Real craft, real toolsUsing a knife or saw safely is proof to a child that they are capable and trusted.
Plans that adaptA technical challenge when focus is high. A calm sensory task when a group needs to settle."The goal is not just to enjoy nature. It is to feel at home in it."
Case study
Weekly sessions in the school's nature reserve and woodland, for very different groups.
ReceptionTurning observers into participants. Children investigate the forest floor and the sky, linking classroom learning to the world outside.
Sensory supportConnection beyond words. Calm, predictable sessions for children with profound learning needs, at their own pace.
Nurture and SEMHBuilding resilience through shared craft. Tool work and fire lighting build self esteem and help with social boundaries.
Curriculum outdoorsMeasuring timber, tracking rainfall, asking why birds sing, and inventing stories about the creatures in the leaf litter.Questions
No. Complete beginners are very welcome, and all tools are provided.
Yes. Everyone learns the safe grips and clear rules first. Children start with a peeler, wear a cut resistant glove on the hand holding the wood, and only move up to a knife when they're ready. I'm a qualified Forest School leader with an Enhanced DBS, full insurance and Outdoor Paediatric First Aid.
Children need to be 7 or older. Younger and keen? Perfect, come back in a year or two!
In local parks across Lewisham and southeast London. For parties and team days, I can come to you.
Long trousers and closed toe shoes, always. Other than that, dress for the weather: layers in winter, and something you don't mind getting a bit messy.
A bit of rain won't stop us. We have a shelter to carve under, so we carry on. If there's thunder or lightning, we'll stop and rebook for another day.
Sessions are a half day, 3 to 4 hours, with wood and tools included. Group sessions are £50 per person (minimum 4). One-to-one afternoons are £200, and you can bring one or two friends. Birthday parties start from £300 for up to 6 children.
Yes. Send me an email and I'll put together a quote.
Free download
Four safe grips, the parts of a knife, and safety tips. Perfect after a session, or before your first one.
Contact
Parents, schools and organisations are all welcome. Whether it's a quick question or a longer chat about a custom programme, just get in touch.
I work across Lewisham, Hither Green, Catford, Brockley, Ladywell, Lee and nearby. Further away? Get in touch and we'll see what's possible.