One hundred women travelled to Nell Bank in Ilkley for the charity’s first outdoor wellbeing weekend, with proceeds supporting its work to give children their first experience of nature.
The One Wild Night event took place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th September, bringing women from across the north of England together for 24 hours of outdoor activities, wellbeing sessions and time in nature.
Participants could take part in a range of activities including bushcraft, forest bathing, foraging, nature photography, orienteering, Reiki and a drumming circle.
The evening included a feast of Himalayan curries cooked by Nabin Maharjan, a friend of Nell Bank who is originally from Nepal, before a sound bath took place under the trees.
After spending the night under canvas, the Sunday programme began with sunrise Pilates, followed by a woodland walk to Ilkley Lido and an outdoor swim.
Many of the workshops were led by Nell Bank’s own team, alongside partners including Get Out Moor, Synergy Body & Mind, Rooted & Wild, Rich Bunce Photography and Loud Minority Samba Band.
Sunday morning’s Pilates, Bootcamp and Run Sessions were delivered by event partner Unity, a female-owned gym based in Embsay.
Nicola Holmes, event organiser at Nell Bank, said:
“One Wild Night was created to give women the chance to pause and reconnect with themselves, with nature and, most importantly, with each other.
“Seeing 100 women come together, laugh, learn, share experiences and support one another was incredibly special. It felt like the beginning of something bigger.”
Proceeds from the weekend will support Nell Bank’s core work.
The centre has been providing children with opportunities to experience nature since 1977 and now supports around 24,000 children each year, including many from communities where access to the outdoors is limited.
With Nell Bank approaching its 50th anniversary next year, the charity says events such as One Wild Night help support its work towards ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the outdoors.
Dan Goodey, CEO of The Nell Bank Charitable Trust, said the event had been a “huge success” and provided an opportunity to see the site used in a different way.
He said the women who attended experienced some of the same benefits that Nell Bank aims to provide for children, including the opportunity to enjoy themselves, learn and experience the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.
Attendee Nicola Akers said:
“I’ve never been to such a unique event.
"There was something really special about being surrounded by so many women who were all there for different reasons but shared the same wish to connect, have fun and spend time outdoors.
“I left feeling energised, inspired and part of a community.
"I'm already looking forward to the next one.”
A date for the next One Wild Night has not yet been announced, but women can register their interest to hear future updates.
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