Our Courses

We are working hard to finalise our introductory course programme. However, we don’t want to open it up for booking and then have to let you down. We hope to offer indoor courses from early autumn.

In the meantime, the listing below will give you a flavour of what’s to come. We can’t wait to welcome you to the Derbyshire Eco Centre again.

Countryside Skills - A supportive group for people with mild and moderate learning disabilities and their carers. Learn hands-on outdoor skills while helping to look after the Eco Centre site.

Countryside Skills - A supportive group for people with mild and moderate learning disabilities and their carers. Learn hands-on outdoor skills while helping to look after the Eco Centre site.

Dry Stone Walling Taster - A half day introductory course for anyone who wants to gain the basic knowledge and skills to repair dry stone walls. A practical session with added information on how to take the craft further if you wish.

Dry Stone Walling Taster - A half day introductory course for anyone who wants to gain the basic knowledge and skills to repair dry stone walls. A practical session with added information on how to take the craft further if you wish.

Dry Stone Walling - Level 1 - An accredited course for people wishing to expand on their knowledge and skills in the art of dry stone walling, with the possibility of a new career path, and culminating in a Level 1 test (DSWA/LANTRA)

Dry Stone Walling - Level 1 - An accredited course for people wishing to expand on their knowledge and skills in the art of dry stone walling, with the possibility of a new career path, and culminating in a Level 1 test (DSWA/LANTRA)

Dry Stone Walling - Level 2 - An accredited course to build on existing skills learned at Level 1, and to include the theory and knowledge to build a wall end (cheek end) and culminating in a Level 2 test (DSWA/LANTRA)

Dry Stone Walling - Level 2 - An accredited course to build on existing skills learned at Level 1, and to include the theory and knowledge to build a wall end (cheek end) and culminating in a Level 2 test (DSWA/LANTRA)

Creative Dementia - A creative approach to mind body connection supporting those with dementia and carers, exploring fun, mindful, creative activities to enhance wellbeing, joy and communication.

Creative Dementia - A creative approach to mind body connection supporting those with dementia and carers, exploring fun, mindful, creative activities to enhance wellbeing, joy and communication.

Nature Inspiring Art - Discover how to create art using materials found in nature, learn ancient paint making techniques and how to make your own art tools.

Nature Inspiring Art - Discover how to create art using materials found in nature, learn ancient paint making techniques and how to make your own art tools.

Time to rethink your garden? - Learn how to improve its layout and planting and how to draw up plans that you can use to turn good ideas into beautiful wildlife friendly reality!

Time to rethink your garden? - Learn how to improve its layout and planting and how to draw up plans that you can use to turn good ideas into beautiful wildlife friendly reality!

Natural Dyeing - This course is a hands-on introduction on how to create natural dyes, produce colourful textiles using natural materials, identify dye plants, mordanting, over-dyeing and tie-dye. Suitable for everyone who loves colour and fibre. No

Natural Dyeing - This course is a hands-on introduction on how to create natural dyes, produce colourful textiles using natural materials, identify dye plants, mordanting, over-dyeing and tie-dye. Suitable for everyone who loves colour and fibre. No previous experience necessary.

Photography - Introduction to black and white photography looking at the history and styles of photography, setting up shots and taking photos.

Photography - Introduction to black and white photography looking at the history and styles of photography, setting up shots and taking photos.

Gardening For Wellbeing - A supportive group for people who are feeling stressed and in need of some outdoor time. You’ll meet friendly people in a safe space and learn some handy gardening skills.

Gardening For Wellbeing - A supportive group for people who are feeling stressed and in need of some outdoor time. You’ll meet friendly people in a safe space and learn some handy gardening skills.

Beginner's Pottery - Suitable for beginners and those with a little experience. We will cover the basics of hand building and surface decoration in clay through a series of playful exercises and projects.

Beginner's Pottery - Suitable for beginners and those with a little experience. We will cover the basics of hand building and surface decoration in clay through a series of playful exercises and projects.

Textile Jewellery - Design, play and experiment with shape, texture and colour to create unique personalised jewellery of your choice, using fabric, threads, yarn, raffia, beads etc. Perfect for people who like to wear their art or try out new techni

Textile Jewellery - Design, play and experiment with shape, texture and colour to create unique personalised jewellery of your choice, using fabric, threads, yarn, raffia, beads etc. Perfect for people who like to wear their art or try out new techniques. No previous experience necessary.

Herbal Remedies - A fun and practical workshop to introduce people to using seasonal garden plants safely as medicines. Make a herbal ointment to take home.

Herbal Remedies - A fun and practical workshop to introduce people to using seasonal garden plants safely as medicines. Make a herbal ointment to take home.

Tree Identification - Enjoy a leisurely walk around the easily accessible paths from the Eco Centre and learn to identify the diversity of trees and shrubs to be seen.

Tree Identification - Enjoy a leisurely walk around the easily accessible paths from the Eco Centre and learn to identify the diversity of trees and shrubs to be seen.

Survival Training - No matter how well you are prepared, any situation could occur requiring you to take immediate action to protect yourself and others from danger.

Survival Training - No matter how well you are prepared, any situation could occur requiring you to take immediate action to protect yourself and others from danger.

Making things with Pallets - Pallets are incredibly versatile sources of wood and can be re-purposed in a great many different ways. Using a pallet breaker and simple hand tools, we’ll be making useful items from unwanted pallets.

Making things with Pallets - Pallets are incredibly versatile sources of wood and can be re-purposed in a great many different ways. Using a pallet breaker and simple hand tools, we’ll be making useful items from unwanted pallets.

Foraging - A day looking at nutrition and healthy eating, but focussed on cooking outdoors over an open fire. The day will start with an introduction and a foraging walk gathering some of the ingredients we will use.

Foraging - A day looking at nutrition and healthy eating, but focussed on cooking outdoors over an open fire. The day will start with an introduction and a foraging walk gathering some of the ingredients we will use.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Unfortunately, we are not open for bookings yet. We will open for booking courses once the lease has been finalised with Derbyshire County Council and we have a confirmed date for access to the Eco Centre

  • When we have opened and we have regular opening hours you will be able to pay in cash by coming up to the Eco Centre and booking with us there.

    Once open, the course bookings will also be able to be done online with online payments.

  • Having an account lets you manage your booking whenever is convenient for you e.g. to check the dates or times of the sessions or to cancel. You are able to see all the details for this course and any previous courses you have attended with us.

    It also allows us to contact you if something unforeseen happens and we need to reschedule a course or session.

  • You can enter any special requirements when you book. They are entered as part of the attendee details as the person booking isn’t always the person attending.

    We will check these when we receive your booking to make sure we can cater for your needs.

  • If you cancel your booking up to one month before your event you will normally receive a full refund less a small administration fee for each attendee. You can cancel your booking through your user account within the booking system. You can get either a refund payment or a credit to your account. After this time a refund is at our discretion.

  • Thanks for booking with us. We hope you have a successful time and that you enjoy your course at our venue. Please help to spread the word by giving us a good review. If you would like us to make improvements to our offer please get in touch directly.

    We welcome positive suggestions.

    We hope to see you again.tem description