
So here we are, December the 21st, Midwinter or the Winter Solstice when he earth tilts away from the sun for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and daylight hours are at their shortest. It is a time to rest and recover, to share the stored harvest with family and friends and a time to reflect on the past year.
Here at COOPT, our team are all volunteers who give their time freely to bring their shared knowledge and wisdom of working in nature to our various events and activities.
We all have families, friends, work and other activities which take our time and energy but we are passionate about encouraging and supporting those of you who want to take your practice into the outdoors in a way that is safe for both your clients and yourselves.
Looking back over the year it's been a busy one for us. As well as bringing you our courses and events, we've given time to planning and reviewing their content so we keep abreast of current initiatives and research, meeting with other like minds to keep our network growing and participating in our own professional development.
This year we've run our successful and highly acclaimed BAPT endorsed Certificate of Best Practice in Out door Play Therapy course both online in the early part of year and face to face in the Autumn at Ide near Exeter whilst in the summer we held another Campover at Path Hill Outdoors in Goring Heath, Oxfordshire.

We have already started planning our calendar of events for 2025 but are now taking a break to rest and recuperate and spend time with our families and friends. But before we go, we'd like to draw your attention to some early events.
Free online networking events
8th Febuary (am) - Our own Molly Hopkinshaw will talk about Bringing the Outdoors Inside.
1st March 9.00am - Anna Charleston and Nur Heitz, Registered Play Therapy Supervisors at Rev Bill Crews Foundation in Sydney will speak about their work helping children from indigenous and refugee communities impacted by trauma. Anna and Nur have recently completed our certificate course and are keen to share their experiences of working outdoors.
Online Certificate of Best Practice in Outdoor Play Therapy
Wednesday evenings, 6.00 - 9.30pm. "3rd and 30th April and 7th and 14th May .
Make a note in your diary NOW and we will send a reminder with registration details during the week beginning 6th Jan.
Wishing you a happy and restful Yuletide and a healthy and adventurous 2025.
