Wraxall Lodge donate £500 to Front Line Forest

Front Line Forest is a relatively new CIC set up to provide therapeutic mental health activities for current and former members of the blue light emergency services and armed forces personnel. All of their activities are based outdoors and take place across one site in Somerset in their woodland above Cheddar and another woodland site in the Forest of Dean.

The organisation was set up by Danny Toogood – a serving Avon & Somerset Police officer and a former Parachute Regiment member. Danny has first hand experience of the impact on mental health of regularly dealing with traumatic situations. He was a participant at Woodland Warriors (who Wraxall Lodge also supported last year)   Armed Forces | The Woodland Warrior Programme | Pensford  and in June 2022 set up his own programme.

The aim is to provide a safe space for first responders and military personnel to unwind, reflect, and prioritise their mental well-being. This is done by participants working in a woodland setting on conservation activities – building shared experiences, camaraderie and sharing those “campfire chats” with others who have also “been there” at the sharp end.  

Danny has trained as a Mental Health First Aider and provides that space where participants can allow their minds to step away from the constant pressures of their work and so find moments of peace and tranquillity.

Mark Wilcox, Charity Steward at Wraxall Lodge visited their Cheddar site – the picture was taken there. Danny has set all this up whilst still working full time and as an Army reservist. It is great what they have set up from a relatively small budget and the donation of £500 from the Wraxall Lodge brethren was very gratefully received. They are looking to expand the site gradually so more workshops can be provided.

You can read all about the programme at their website:  Front Line Forest C.I.C (frontlineforestcic.co.uk) . Also on Facebook (@front.line.forest) and Instagram (front_line.forest)