1. Folly Wood A model of community ownership Seb Buckton, Ali Coles, Richard Keating and Jackie Rowanly

14. Good from Woods research What are the well-being benefits which stem from Folly Wood, specifically as a co-operatively owned and managed woodland? Answering this question will help us: Plan development at Folly Wood Encourage others to become involved Develop initiatives to involve non-members

15. Good from Woods research Questionnaire – on-line to shareholders, family and friends that visit the wood, and ex-members Focus groups – to explore some of the findings from the survey in more depth Art workshops – as another method, especially for children to express what they like about the wood

16. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings Completed by 39 respondents. 29 Folly Wood members, 6 family or friends, 4 ex-members. Most respondents over 40. 5 respondents were under 17.

17. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings Reasons for getting involved in Folly Wood rated from 1 (not at all important) to 5 (very important) 'to spend time close to nature' - 32% 'to invest actively in the landscape' - 39% 'to help look after a woodland' - 21% 'invest actively in the community' - 31%

18. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings 'Somewhere to take children' Highly rated by some but others rate as not at all important Reflects half the respondents were from families and half from couples or single people.

19. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings Moderately important: 'Somewhere to pick up some woodland skills' 'As a way of socialising' 'To give others the opportunity to enjoy woodlands' 'Somewhere to play'

20. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings <5 rated as important or very important: 'As a way of earning some sort of living' 'To collect firewood' 'To get involved as a volunteer'

21. Good from Woods research Nearly half of respondents gave additional comments on what else inspired them to get involved (see word cloud).

22. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings Half of respondents felt their hopes and expectations of being involved in Folly Wood had been met No respondent felt none of their hopes had been met.

23. Good from Woods research Questionnaire findings c. 75% visit the wood less than once a month, c. 50% visit less than once in 3 months So why have they joined?

24. Good from Woods research Focus groups: “I don’t really know everybody in the group, I don’t even know how many there are of us, but what is nice is to also think that you’re among like- minded people which is sometimes hard to find, especially as I think you get older.”

25. Good from Woods research Focus groups: “It’s the shared interest - you were talking about the pride of ownership, but the pride of individual ownership is about “my car is bigger than yours”, and that’s the complete opposite of what it seems to be about with Folly Wood.” “We bought in to something for ourselves, to own some land, but I don’t want to own a piece of land like that just for us because we don’t need it, and also because it’s a huge responsibility. So to have that responsibility shared between the 60 odd people is ideal.”

26. Good from Woods research “It’s nice to think that there is somewhere where I can go and just sit and be, and be quiet or join in with people without getting hassled by somebody coming and saying “oh excuse me but you’re not allowed to do that here” ”

27. Good from Woods research “I intentionally decided at the beginning that I couldn’t get involved on any other level at this point in my life, and that I wasn’t going to feel guilty about it. I’m very grateful that other people are doing it and I think I would like to do more, but I’ve got my own garden to manage and I hardly ever get out there.”

28. Good from Woods research “A lot of people had to get a significant amount of money together in a very short space of time – the structure had to demonstrate that you are a responsible organisation, you will use the money responsibly, you’ve thought about public safety and there were lots of different responsibilities that go with running this type of venture - I think its impressively done.”

29. Good from Woods research “To be sharing the wood is such a brilliant idea and opportunity, because we are part of the collective – the kids have the freedom to play, there are so many benefits at a variety of levels I can’t really list them all” “In terms of the model of managing the landscape: communities managing their own landscapes, I think it’s a fascinating model.”

30. Good from Woods research “It's quite a hopeful experience really. It was refreshing to come to something like this where you get 50 or 60 people who are just doing it, without creating unnecessary administration or hierarchies or silos or any of the stuff that you seem to get in other organisations, so for me it’s been quite a nice hopeful experience……”

31. Good from Woods research “It was on my bucket list, a bit of wood, you know, that’s what I’ve always wanted to have, and I couldn’t do it on my own, so it’s really nice to know it’s there and I’m part of it with the group.”

32. Photograph by Ruth Davey/Look Again