About Sound in the Woods
Sound in the Woods unites two of the most powerful forces for promoting wellbeing and happiness: Creative music making, and beautiful natural spaces. We help people unplug and recharge, connect with what’s real, and find their natural pulse.
Our work is guided by the belief that, like nature, creativity belongs to everyone and that when we’re being creative together and feeling safe, our best selves step forward.
Our mission, vision and values
Mission
Our mission is to foster creative music-making in nature, building community and wellbeing through immersive musical woodland experiences.
We envisage a world where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging in nature, with confidence in their creative power and their ability to connect and create with others - leading to happier and healthier people, communities, and natural spaces.
Vision
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Feeling safe is fundamental to our ability to connect and create. Establishing trust and a shared sense of support allows people to be themselves and perform at their best.
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Everyone has intrinsic value, and no one is more or less important than anyone else. We honour each person’s unique perspective, ensuring that every voice is equally valued and vital to the success of the whole.
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Everyone should be able to fulfil their unique creative and expressive potential. Our work is designed to thrive on diversity of experience, and flexible enough to cater for people of all backgrounds, identities, circumstances, ages, and stages.
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Human beings are hardwired to cooperate, and when we connect, we become greater than the sum of our parts. Individual contributions, when connected and celebrated, lead to a sense of collective achievement that doesn’t happen when you’re working alone.
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Creativity is part of human DNA, one of our greatest superpowers, and a fundamental human right. Our work is committed to helping people reclaim and reinforce their creative spark and celebrate it as a source of constant strength and joy.
Values
The Sound in the Woods crew
Meet the team behind Sound in the Woods; a group of dedicated professional musicians and practitioners with over 100 years of collective experience across the music industry, community music, and arts and cultural sectors. Each session is supported by two music facilitators, alongside members of our hospitality team, who make sure we’re all well-nourished through our on-site canteen.
Siggy
Siggy is a community musician and avid woodsman. For over 20 years, he worked at Bristol Beacon, leading on strategic change projects and inclusion and access initiatives. He set up Sound in the Woods because he wanted to help more people experience the transformational power of creativity with others in the outdoors.
Tara
Tara is a professional musician, music teacher and vocal coach who is currently on the pathway to completing her Level 2 Qualification in Sound Healing with the International Sound Healing Academy. Tara has used music to create meaningful connections for most of her life through performing and teaching music in various environments including special schools, care homes and in community settings.
Alex
Alex is a neurodivergent musician with over 20 years of experience as a performer, composer and producer. Alex has worked and collaborated with PJ Harvey, Charlotte Harding, Charles Hazlewood and the British Paraorchestra, the Terra Collective, Bibio, Dubkasm among others. As an advocate for inclusive non formal music education Alex has devised, delivered, coordinated and managed music making projects for all ages and in many different settings, Alex is also a HCPC registered music therapist.
Anna
Anna Gibson-Hart is a Community Musician with Pakistani and Mauritian roots. She spends her time playing and teaching music with people aged 3, 103, and everyone in between. Anna has a background in supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing through Social Prescribing and other projects. The role of music in bringing people together to create community is what drives her in her work.
Patch
Patch (Jon Patchitt) is a Bristol-based musician and community facilitator who believes in the power of music to bring people together. Through his work with Bristol Beacon he runs creative music sessions with disabled and care-experienced young people, helping them find confidence, connection and their own creative voice. He also writes and produces dub reggae with his project Pana Dub, drawing inspiration from sound system culture.
Jenny
Jenny loves live music and the outdoors. Exploring the countryside in her campervan, sitting round a campfire and heading off to festivals is her happy place. She recently completed an Ayurveda wellness course in Kerala, India - which sparked her interest in wellbeing, and exploring different ways of connecting with ourselves and the natural world.
Mike
Mike is a Bristol-based music facilitator who has over 10 years experience working with adults, family units and young people. He is passionate about creating safe spaces where people are able to express themselves freely and realise their musical potential. Outside of music Mike loves cooking, going on long walks and a great cup of coffee.
An invitation
Sound in the Woods is an invitation to slow down, make something together, and experience a different way of being in the world. It happens in a day, but the effects can last a lifetime.