Seeking people/groups in Bristol to help a 70 year old get back into bushcraft

[Monchy]

Hi all,

I have joined as have been helping with the Marmalade Trust (a Bristol based charity that helps lonely people) and speaking weekly to a 70 year gentleman who used to do a lot of bushcraft. He is ex military and despite some mobility issues is keen to help out if he can. He would love to attend a group to pass on his experience (or just be around) and tells me his dream is to once more have a night under the stars! So, I am after advice and contacts for local groups/people in Bristol who may be able to help him.

He's a lovely bloke who has been hard hit by the isolation of Covid lockdown and has lost a lot of his confidence. With luck, meeting people with a shared interest will really help him.

Thanks

 

[Toddy]

Hello @Monchy, and welcome to BcUK.

I don't live in the area and can't really help that way, but if you can find some way to get him internet access, a way for him to join the conversations, here and on Facebook, then it might make things easier for him. At least he'd find like minded stuff to read, conversations to add his tuppence ha'penny worth to, seasonal inspiration, and contacts beyond his present isolation

M

 

[TeeDee]

I would suggest giving the Ex-Bootie who owns and runs Hidden Valley Bushcraft a call. - Seems a really nice approachable guy and I'm sure would accommodate another ex-servicemans request.

Bushcraft and Forest School | Bristol | Hidden Valley Bushcraft

Providers of outdoor education and quality recreation. We are a bushcraft company and forest school based in Pensford, Bristol. www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk

www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk

https://www.youtube.com/c/HiddenValleyBushcraft

 

[Buckshot]

There's a bushcraft club in Wiltshire that meet regularly.
search for them on Facebook

 

[Monchy]

Hello @Monchy, and welcome to BcUK.

I don't live in the area and can't really help that way, but if you can find some way to get him internet access, a way for him to join the conversations, here and on Facebook, then it might make things easier for him. At least he'd find like minded stuff to read, conversations to add his tuppence ha'penny worth to, seasonal inspiration, and contacts beyond his present isolation

M

Thanks for this. Unfortunately he is very poor with IT which severely limits any interaction he can have. It would make such a difference to his life if he was able to use a computer. And, of course, almost everything is online or on an app now which further limits his isolation.
All best

 

[Monchy]

I would suggest giving the Ex-Bootie who owns and runs Hidden Valley Bushcraft a call. - Seems a really nice approachable guy and I'm sure would accommodate another ex-servicemans request.

Bushcraft and Forest School | Bristol | Hidden Valley Bushcraft

Providers of outdoor education and quality recreation. We are a bushcraft company and forest school based in Pensford, Bristol. www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk

www.hiddenvalleybushcraft.co.uk

https://www.youtube.com/c/HiddenValleyBushcraft

Lovely stuff, thanks so much for this. Really appreciated.

 

[Madriverrob]

Slightly off the Bushcraft theme but is there a "Mens shed " in your area ?? would open a door to male companionship and I'm sure has some elements of craft / bush craft /self-reliance /preparedness .....

Home | Men's Sheds Association | UKMSA

We support Men's Sheds Association in the UK. Men's Sheds are community workshops where men can create converse and connect.

menssheds.org.uk

 

[Tengu]

That sounds fun.

Its a shame he doesnt use IT; there are so many isolated folk these days, the Internet wold make such a difference to them

 

[Madriverrob]

Age UK ( and lost likely other organisations )offer IT training courses for seniors ......

Computer training courses - IT training services | Age UK

Find out about training courses for older people on computers. Age UK computer training courses explain things clearly in plain English to help you get online.

www.ageuk.org.uk

 

[Monchy]

Slightly off the Bushcraft theme but is there a "Mens shed " in your area ?? would open a door to male companionship and I'm sure has some elements of craft / bush craft /self-reliance /preparedness .....

Home | Men's Sheds Association | UKMSA

We support Men's Sheds Association in the UK. Men's Sheds are community workshops where men can create converse and connect.

menssheds.org.uk

Thanks for this - it's a great suggestion. I'll make some enquiries. Cheers

 

[Monchy]

That sounds fun.

Its a shame he doesnt use IT; there are so many isolated folk these days, the Internet wold make such a difference to them

I agree, I have to tell him how to Google things! There is so much help out there that he cannot access (at present). I'll also suggest he has some Age UK computer training.