Following a successful pilot, people are being invited to sign up for more free woodland training courses with Tir Coed in Pembrokeshire.

Tir Coed is a charity that looks to unlock the potential of woodlands to provide a community facility, educational and health activities, and to create job opportunities for disadvantaged individuals in rural Wales, with the aim of making positive lasting change. The project is funded by the National Lottery.

There will be an introductory five-day intensive course at the end of January. This will be based near Maenclochog and introduce basic tool skills and safety awareness. It is hoped that many of the participants will choose to progress onto the accredited 12-week course.

The 12-week course will start in February. This will run two days a week (provisionally Wednesdays and Thursdays) and be based in a woodland at Scolton, outside Haverfordwest.

Through the course, participants will build a round house while working towards Agored Cymru units and developing a host of new skills and experience.

There will be other courses running in other parts of the county later in 2018 and in 2019.

Advance booking is essential and priority will be given to people out of work or who may need some additional support. Help can be made available with transport and care costs to those who need it.

If you or someone you know may be interested in taking part in either training course or would like more information, please get in touch with Nancy Hardy, the Pembrokeshire mentor, on [email protected] or 07476899544.

Tir Coed also organises bespoke activity sessions for groups of people who want to enjoy the natural environment and the woodland. Sessions provide various activities such as greenwood craft, foraging, conservation and Forest School. Activity sessions are free, open to groups of all ages and ability, and are particularly aimed at groups who provide support services. If you are interested in a group activity session, please get in touch.