‘Grief in the Garden’ Workshop 22/11/25 Carey’s Secret Garden
‘Grief in the Garden’ workshop at Carey’s Secret Garden on Saturday 22 November 2025
Join experienced Purbeck landscape artist Jessamy Hawke and acclaimed non-fiction author Georgie Codd for a restorative day at Carey’s Secret Garden (nr. Wareham, Dorset) immersed in nature, writing and painting; sharing space and time with others who know what it’s like to feel loss.
As part of a small and intimate group we will practice mindful painting and writing in a secluded, tranquil setting, enjoying access to beautiful spaces that are usually closed to the public – with non-pressured opportunities to talk and share with like-minded people.
This is a day for you to breathe and just be.
Our maximum group size will be 12, with all creative abilities welcome, including beginners. There will be no ‘right’ way to express yourself – we promise you can’t get this wrong. Nor will we ask anyone to share their work with others.
By the end of the day, you will take home your own self-made artwork, bringing together what you have experienced in the garden.
Your ticket includes:
• Entry to Carey’s Secret Garden, including access to parts of the garden that visitors don’t usually see
• Hot drinks and homemade cake provided by the Secret Salt Pig
• Six hours of peace, company and guided creative activities focused on mindful observation and reflection
• Exclusive use of Carey’s barn on the day, as well as its private lawn
• The use of cosy blankets and hot water bottles
• Paper and painting materials for your artwork
• A unique memento that you have created from the day
For £15 more, you can also join a communal lunch of vegetarian or vegan margharita pizza, made from organic ingredients and baked fresh in Carey’s wood-fired garden oven.
*ADVANCED BOOKING ESSENTIAL*
NOTE: Neither Jessamy nor Georgie has a qualification in counselling or other therapeutic processes. Their familiarity with grief comes from their own lived experiences, which they will reference as part of their introductions. Together with the group, their aim is to create a space for the Grief in the Garden group that prioritises community, mindfulness, confidentiality and creative self-expression.
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Ticket info:
Please add this item to your basket to purchase a workshop ticket. To add the communal pizza lunch option to your ticket, please click here and add to your basket too before checkout:
https://jessamyhawke.bigcartel.com/product/pizza-add-on
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Please read on for FAQs:
FAQs
Q: What do I need to bring with me for this?
You will need:
• An apron or other covering to protect your clothes from paint spatter
• Two clean jam jars
• A notebook or journal for writing activities
• Pen(s) or pencil(s) for writing
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Q: What should I wear?
Since the weather in November can be unpredictable, we recommend bringing warm clothes, waterproof shoes and wet weather gear. We plan to spend a good amount of time outdoors, as long as the weather lets us.
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Q: Do I need to be good at art or writing to do this?
We don’t believe in ‘good’ and ‘bad’ when it comes to painting or writing skills. Whether you have no experience, or feel pretty confident in either (or both) mediums, you’re welcome at Grief in the Garden.
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Q: I’d rather not talk about my bereavement with other people. Is this the right event for me?
We understand – and know through our own experiences – that grief is a highly personal thing, and feels different to everybody. It’s important to us that no one joining Grief in the Garden feels obliged to share anything they don’t want to. If you would like to come along for the mindful activities and say nothing about the loss that has brought you here, that’s completely OK with us. We will be creating a completely non-pressured environment.
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Q: What if I need space on my own on the day?
There will be points throughout the activities where those who wish to work in solitude can do so. If at any point you need some time out from the Grief in the Garden more broadly, or decide you need to leave Carey’s early, there will be no judgement. We will just ask that you let either Jessamy or Georgie know where you’re going so they can tell the garden staff in case of emergencies.
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Q: How accessible is Grief in the Garden?
Carey’s Secret Garden offers disabled access toilets, dedicated disabled parking areas and seasonal drop-off points for wheelchair/mobility vehicle users to get closer to the entrance. The barn where we’ll be based for the day has ramped access. If you have specific hearing or visual requirements please let us know in advance so we can make sure you have everything you need. More information about Carey’s and accessibility, including an accessibility guide, can be found on the garden’s website here:
https://www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk/pages/access-and-mobility?srsltid=AfmBOorYEcKLptSGwOnvRDsKVDZtkkPib8Al5bCQcwY6XWXBCSwrOnOc
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Q: How do I get to Carey’s Secret Garden?
Carey’s is located north of Wareham, Dorset, approximately 5 minutes’ drive (or taxi ride) from Wareham railway station, on the Weymouth to London Waterloo line. From Wareham, you can also reach the garden by foot or bicycle. More information can be found on the garden’s website here.
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Q: Can you cater for specific dietary requirements?
We can cater to most dietary requirements. Please share the details of what you need when you book so we can plan in advance with the Carey’s team. We have chosen to make all the food we provide on the day vegetarian, including vegan options as standard.
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Q: Can I bring my own food?
Carey’s Secret Garden has a policy of not allowing visitors to bring their own food into the walled garden. This includes the barn area we will be based in. If you need to bring your own food for dietary reasons please let us know, and we will pass this information on to the Carey’s team.
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Q: I can’t make the date. Will you be doing this again?
We have provisionally booked a second date for Grief in the Garden at Carey’s in December 2025, which will go ahead depending on the interest we receive. If you’d like to know more about this, please email us at [email protected] and we will be in touch with the details as soon as they’re available.
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Q: I don’t live near Dorset but would love to try this one day. Are you going to take Grief in the Garden anywhere else?
That’s what we’re working to, yes. If you’d like to be kept in the loop about other dates and locations, or want to suggest a garden that you think would be a great fit for us, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected]
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Q: I’d like to come but would struggle to cover the cost of the ticket right now. Is there another way I can take part?
If you’re struggling financially for any reason, but feel that Grief in the Garden is what you need, we may be able to offer you a subsidised space. Please get in touch with us at [email protected] and we can discuss the options.
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Q: Can I buy a place for someone as a gift?
If you’d like to book a place at Grief in the Garden for someone else, you’re very welcome to do so. We ask that you please let us know when you’re booking so we can send them a gift confirmation that doesn’t include your receipt. We would also ask that you check this person will feel comfortable joining us, since the topic of our workshop may be a sensitive one for them.
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Q: What is your cancellation policy?
If you book a ticket and later find you're unable to attend, we can offer a full refund up to 14 days before the workshop. Cancellations within 14 days of the workshop will not be refunded, but you can give your ticket to somebody else. If you choose to do this, or have any other cancellation queries, please let us know by emailing [email protected]
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Q: Where can I find out more about Jessamy and Georgie?
Jessamy’s website is www.jessamyhawke.co.uk She is also on Instagram at www.instagram.com/jessamydrewthat
Georgie’s website is www.georgiecodd.co.uk She is not on social media.
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Q: I have another question that’s not listed here. How do I contact you?
Get in touch with us at [email protected] One of us will reply between 1 and 3 days.