A Relaxed Morning of Forest Bathing, Connection and Wellbeing at Cusworth Hall

Our August Charity Hub networking event took place today at Cusworth Hall, and it was a very different kind of morning for us.

With the event taking place outdoors and temperatures reaching around 30°C, we knew the morning needed to feel calm, relaxed and manageable for everyone attending. There was plenty of water on hand, and the focus was on creating a space where people could connect, take part and look after themselves in the warm weather.

The session was hosted outdoors with Lou from Inner Sunshine, who led attendees through a Forest Bathing experience designed to support relaxation, wellbeing and connection with nature.

A Different Kind of Networking Event

The Charity Hub events are usually built around conversation, collaboration and shared learning. This event still had all of that, but the setting gave it a different feel.

Instead of staying inside a meeting room, attendees had the chance to slow down, step into nature and connect in a more relaxed way. For charities, CICs, community organisations and local partners, this kind of space can be incredibly valuable.

So much of the third sector is busy, pressured and people-focused. Many of the people in the room spend their time supporting others, solving problems and responding to need. Taking time to pause, breathe and be present is not always easy, but it matters.

Forest Bathing with Inner Sunshine

Lou from Inner Sunshine guided the group through a Forest Bathing session, helping attendees explore how spending time in nature can support mental health and wellbeing.

The session included simple grounding exercises, moving meditation and a sensory journey through the sights and sounds of the natural environment around Cusworth Hall.

It was a gentle reminder that wellbeing does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes, even a short amount of time outdoors can help people feel calmer, more focused and more connected to themselves and those around them.

Networking While Walking

The session finished with a relaxed networking walk, where attendees continued their conversations while collecting natural items that stood out to them along the way.

These items were then added to a Journey Stick using coloured yarn. Each stick became a small personal reminder of the walk, the environment and the importance of nature, wellbeing and self-care.

It was a simple but meaningful activity, and it created a different kind of conversation. People were able to talk while walking, reflect while making something, and connect in a way that felt less formal than traditional networking.

Looking After People in the Heat

With the weather being so warm, we were also mindful of keeping people comfortable throughout the morning.

Hosting outdoor events during hot weather takes a little extra care. Water, shade, suitable clothing and space to pause all matter, especially when people are spending time outside.

Thank you to everyone who came prepared, took care of themselves and helped make the morning feel relaxed and enjoyable despite the heat.

Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us

We would like to say a huge thank you to Lou and Inner Sunshine for leading such a thoughtful and grounding session.

Thank you also to everyone who attended, took part, joined the walk, made a Journey Stick and helped create such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Today was a lovely reminder that networking does not always have to look the same. Sometimes, the best conversations happen when people are given the space to slow down, step outside and connect in a different way.

The Charity Hub exists to bring good people together, and today showed that connection can happen in many forms.

Together, we achieve the unachievable.