One Wild Night brings 100 women together at Nell Bank
Nell Bank’s first women’s outdoor wellbeing weekend has been hailed a huge success, with proceeds supporting the charity’s mission to give every child a first experience of nature.
One hundred women spent Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September at Nell Bank for One Wild Night, travelling from across the north of England to take part in the charity’s first wellbeing weekend for women.
Over 24 hours, attendees enjoyed bushcraft, forest bathing, foraging, nature photography, orienteering, Reiki and a drumming circle. The evening featured a feast of Himalayan curries cooked by Nabin Maharjan, followed by a sound bath under the trees. After a night under canvas, Sunday began with sunrise Pilates, a woodland walk to Ilkley Lido and an outdoor swim.
Proceeds will support Nell Bank’s core work. Since 1977, the centre has given children their first taste of nature and now supports 24,000 children each year, many from communities with limited access to the outdoors. As Nell Bank approaches its golden jubilee next year, events such as One Wild Night help sustain that mission.
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."
Workshops were led by Nell Bank’s team and partners including Get Out Moor, Synergy Body & Mind, Rooted & Wild, Rich Bunce Photography and Loud Minority Samba Band. Unity, a female-owned gym in Embsay, delivered Sunday’s Pilates, Bootcamp and Run Sessions.
Dan Goodey, CEO of The Nell Bank Charitable Trust, said: "Nell Bank is usually a place where children come to learn, explore and build confidence outdoors, so it was wonderful to see the site transformed for One Wild Night. The event was a huge success with people feeling comfortable, relaxed and excited to be part of something new. The women who joined us experienced exactly what we try to give the children who visit Nell Bank, the chance to enjoy themselves while learning, and to feel the wellbeing benefits that come from 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 will be announced in due course. Women can register their interest at own.nellbank.org.
