Supporting mums at High Lodge

Supporting Mums at High Lodge

In partnership with Forestry England, Sound and Ground has been creating a welcoming space where local women, especially new and expectant mums, can reconnect with themselves and each other.

Since 2022, founder Nicky Dorrington has delivered forest bathing, sound baths and yoga sessions designed with a simple goal: that everyone leaves feeling better than when they arrived. Some of Nicky’s work is deeply personal and is inspired from her own experiences.

“My own journey through pregnancy, birth and postpartum were not the easiest and one thing that stood out to me at the time was the lack of support available in the community. There is a famous saying that it takes a village to raise a child, but like many new mums, I have no family close by which meant it was a lonely and isolating time.”

While online classes offered some comfort, real connection was missing and it was this experience that sparked a commitment: to build an inclusive, supportive community where mums could feel seen, understood and uplifted.

The need for this support is clear. Research from This Girl Can found that 57% of pregnant women and mothers with children under one have felt excluded or unwelcome when trying to be active.

Nicky broadened her training to be a pre and postnatal yoga specialist with the mission to provide dedicated sessions to those that provide others with something she missed out on. With support from Forestry England, Sound and Ground has so far supported 45 mums through pregnancy yoga and seen more than 80 at postnatal sessions. With many of these expectant mothers continuing their movement journey seamlessly through one of life’s biggest transitions. 

Participant Megan, who attended both pregnancy and postnatal classes, describes the impact:

“When I found out I was pregnant, I wanted to stay active to help with labour and recovery. When I saw Nicky was offering pregnancy yoga at High Lodge, I jumped at the chance.”

She recalls how the peaceful forest setting brought instant calm and how the sessions offered her warmth and reassurance on difficult days.

“You feel loved and welcomed into a space that is truly yours.”

The support extends far beyond the mat. From baby massage guidance to hypnobirthing techniques and gentle sound relaxation, Nicky’s sessions are carefully designed to nurture both mum and baby. Megan continued into mum and baby yoga when her daughter was just seven weeks old.

“It gave me confidence to exercise both myself and my baby. I truly believe the early movements helped her develop and blossom. When you’re pregnant or a new mum, you can feel lonely, with Sound and Ground, you feel part of something special.”

Not only has there been a benefit directly from the sessions but friendships have formed and extended sessions for walks and talks have been created. Meet-ups now happen regularly beyond class time and more and more of these Mums have become Forestry England members, allowing the forest to become a regular part of their lives and a outdoor space that feels safe and part of their journey.

Hosting the sessions at High Lodge has only strengthened that sense of belonging. The accessible facilities, welcoming café and forest surroundings remove many of the common stresses new parents can face.

Nicky holds the session in Oak Lodge, a studio space at High Lodge where trees and daylight are visible from every angle. A chance to be amongst nature all year round yet still be in a warm and cosy environment. There are evening sessions as well, which offer a magically unique opportunity to be at High Lodge ‘after hours’ . The space glows with soft lighting and nothing else matters in that moment.

What began as one mum’s response to her own challenges has grown into a vibrant community and a ‘village to raise a child’. For many local families, it’s making all the difference.

To find out how you can get involved - Pregnancy and Post Natal Yoga - Sound & Ground