Wildwriting! Dorset encourages nature connection and creativity for inspiration, general wellbeing, and to open up possibility to new ideas by connecting to the natural world outdoors.
How to get involved
WildWriting! is a series of short, fun and accessible 10-20 minute activities for all ages and abilities, especially older people and anyone feeling isolated inside their homes. You can download to your device or print off WildWriting! activities as pdfs available below, plus watch the videos and listen to audio clips. All you need is access to a window, garden, or outdoor space, and a pen and paper. There are six workshops, released here weekly.
We'd love to see how creative you get so please send us your writing if you'd like to share it with artist Sarah Acton.
Some of you have put pen to paper and sent us your poetry, thank you. You can read the submissions in our news section.
This project is commissioned by Activate and run in partnership with Stepping into Nature.
The artist
Sarah is a landscape writer, poet, and creative facilitator who works with individuals and organisations across Dorset as Black Ven Poetry. Sarah frequently works with the Jurassic Coast Trust, Dorset AONB, Stepping into Nature, Alzheimer’s Memory Cafes, schools, museums and libraries to lead and develop social engagement and community projects connecting creativity and nature through poetry and writing/creative practice.
Poems for inspiration
Sarah Acton has selected some poems to help inspire you in your own wildwriting.
Fireflies in the Garden by Robert Frost
Daffodils by William Wordsworth
Listening to the trees by Mandy Haggith
The Song of Wandering Aengus by W. B. Yeats
The Blackbird of Glanmore by Seamus Heaney
The Dipper by Kathleen Jamie
Thrush by John Fuller
Weathers by Thomas Hardy
The Warm and the Cold by Ted Hughes
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Autumn by John Clare
The Seasons in North Cornwall by Charles Causley
Summer Dawn by Spike Milligan
Silver by Walter de la Mare
The Sun Rising by John Donne
Get outdoors
Workshop 1: Plants Insects, and Flowers
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 1: Plants, Insects and Flowers
Download the written PDF for workshop 1: Plants, Insects and Flowers
Workshop 2: Trees
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 2: Trees
Download the written PDF for workshop 2: Trees
Workshop 3: Birds
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 3: Birds
Download the written PDF for workshop 3: Birds
Workshop 4: Weather
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 4: Weather
Download the written PDF for workshop 4: Weather
Workshop 5: Seasons
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 5: Seasons
Download the written PDF for workshop 5: Seasons
Workshop 6: Day and Night
Listen to the audio clip for workshop 6: Day and Night
Download the written PDF for workshop 6: Day and Night
If you've taken part in one of the workshops, either by watching the video, listening to the audio or downloading the pdf, please take a few moments to complete our short survey.