Welcome to The Wild Wood Art Installation
for Men's Mental Health month
A revolutionary creation crafted by us — and brought to life by our community
The Wild Wood Connection Project
Installation Overview — November 2025
In November 2025, in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Month, we created an art installation to raise awareness of the challenges men face. It was lovingly crafted by the men who have joined our sessions throughout the year, alongside the children of Holy Trinity Primary School, who wrote heartfelt messages of gratitude to the men in their lives. These messages were displayed as wooden leaves hung upon the tree — each one a small act of love and recognition.
How the Installation Was Experienced
🌳 1. Listening to the Stories
Surrounding the tree were twelve cedar stumps, each carrying a QR code.
Visitors were invited to scan the codes with their phone cameras to hear personal stories shared by men from our group — honest, moving, and deeply human reflections of pain, resilience, hope, and healing.
🌰 2. Leaving a Golden Acorn
Visitors were encouraged to take a golden acorn and place it in the holder at the base of the tree for a man in their life.
This offered a quiet moment for gratitude, love, or remembrance.
Our Mission
Our project acts as a pressure release valve — offering a safe, non-judgemental space for men to talk, listen, and support one another before challenges become crises.
We meet twice weekly, every Monday and Wednesday from 6:15–8:00pm in Stratford-upon-Avon.
By coming together, we strengthen mental wellbeing at its roots — nurturing connection, preventing breakdowns, and saving lives.
We were proud to have had the support of The Samaritans and Mind for this installation.
If you are experiencing distressing thoughts or feelings, please reach out through the support links provided. You are not alone.
If you’d like to join one of our weekly gatherings, please visit our Contact Page and send us a message.
We’d love to welcome you to the woods
The Giants Last Stand
The cedar stumps, which encircled the centrepiece tree, were sourced from a truly majestic giant in Barford. Many of you will remember the iconic cedar that once graced the corner of Barford village by the old Post Office — a landmark of quiet strength and beauty. Tragically, after a long and noble life, the great tree fell in November 2024.
Thanks to its generous owner, Tim, a few of its stumps have found new purpose, forming part of our art installation. Having grown up with that tree as a constant presence in my life, it was an honour to give it one final journey — a continuation of its story, now rooted in ours.
Our official opening day!
We were truly taken aback by the incredible turnout for our official opening ceremony. The sun was shining as the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon, Dani Hunter, joined us to cut the ribbon, alongside representatives from Mind and The Samaritans — whose presence we were deeply honoured to have. Several local men’s groups also came together, standing united in support of men’s mental health.
