In collaboration with the charity Migrant Help, the Surrey Hills National Landscape has brought together a group of displaced families to reconnect through powerful woodland experiences in the beautiful Surrey Hills. This included a day-long kite-making event delivered by Hedges & Hurdles Country Skills & Crafts, an organisation with expertise in running heritage skills activities.
The day was not just about crafting kites. It became a celebration of heritage and togetherness, offering these families an opportunity to engage in traditional cooking over a fire – an experience many of them had not enjoyed for a long time.
The aim of the session was to welcome these families into the Surrey Hills and help them feel a sense of safety and belonging, to protect the stunning landscape that brings peace for so many people. The day also gave a chance for the families to connect, forming new bonds that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Participants of the day shared their feedback.
“The various activities which we have done were amazing and enabled us to utilise our hidden skills. Honestly, after almost 18 years I tried to make a big Pakistani-style kite which was fabulous and worked.”
“Thank you to everyone who prepared this program for us. It was good, especially for the children, to enjoy a day outside the hotel and the repeated environment here, to experience playing, doing group work and having fun.”
Lorraine from Hedges & Hurdles Country Skills & Crafts said.
“We were delighted to welcome 16 families to our outdoor woodland studio on a lovely sunny day. The team enjoyed engaging with everyone, demonstrating heritage skills, and creating memories everyone can cherish. Surrey Forest School invited the youngest of the children into their space whilst the older children and adults joined Lizzy and I in making Kites and Willow Crafts. Both men and women joined Debbie in cooking up a delicious tagine with couscous and salad for lunch while others chatted while cooking flatbreads on an open fire. We learned that this was the first time the families have had the opportunity to cook for themselves since coming to the UK, something most of us are lucky to do every day, this was a humbling experience.
The afternoon was filled with more joy, Paul demonstrated how he cleaved chestnut stakes and enjoyed a game of cricket with some of the group too. We made some beautiful Flower Crowns which I believe are proudly displayed in the hotel rooms where the families are living, they were very proud of their creations. The grand finale was kite flying, despite the lack of wind, we enjoyed the thrill of launching our kites into the air. Thank you to the Surrey Hills National Landscape for making this event possible.”
We have continued our partnership with Migrant Help, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a visit to the Surrey Hills Wood Fair. The event provided a full day of exploration, celebrating woodland heritage, music, adventure, and more.
Looking to the future, Surrey Hills National Landscape is collaborating with Surrey’s Down to Earth team to create planters for the families’ outdoor spaces. This upcoming initiative will teach the families how to build their own planters and give the opportunity to experience the joys of growing their own food.
Humaira, Community Liaison Coordinator at Migrant Help said.
“When I first heard of the kite-making event, I thought it would be perfect for the families. All of them have so many creative skills that they are unable to use in the hotel but coming out to the Surrey Hills and making kites, cooking food, playing cricket and making headdresses gave them the opportunity to showcase their skills and remind themselves that they are more than just asylum seekers. A lot felt like they were back in their home country, making kites with friends and cooking with family, so it truly gave them a sense of peace and joy.
It was so refreshing for all of us to see nature at its peak and seeing the families connect with nature, walking on grass barefoot, going on long walks and seeing the views. Many of them are in constant stress and anxiety but almost all came back to me and said this day gave them a chance to forget about their worries, to be with nature and feel calm.
I am so grateful to Lorraine (Hedges and Hurdles), Rob (Surrey Hills National Landscape) and the whole team for together organising these wonderful events. I cannot wait to collaborate on further activities and to continuously improve the lives of these families.”
This program is a testament to the power of nature, culture, and community coming together to provide a haven of safety, belonging, and joy for families who need it the most. This project is part of a wider programme connecting underserved communities with nature, supported by DEFRA. See our current projects here.
Watch our short video here.