The course structure is really well thought out, and the lesson planning and equipment and supplier list incredibly useful and easy to follow. Loved the way the course material has been written for the age group and the hands-on activities are very varied and inventive. Really brilliant to have the folder, USB and legal side also. Hugely appreciated.
Sophie (2023)
The fact that it was so hands on, it was really inspiring and how it was taught was an excellent no-nonsense approach. I have learned new skills and I feel excited to go out and teach the JHC.
Thalia (2023)
It was great to feel the excitement and learn as our inner 8-year-old. I honestly don’t see where this course could be improved on. I only have good things to say about it. Mel is such a fantastic, engaging teacher. She was so patient with all our questions, even when we rushed ahead asking questions that would be answered on the next page. The handouts are so concise. The activities are perfect. It’s exactly what I hoped it would be. I cannot wait to start teaching!
Zoe (2023)
The entire week was so much fun! I absolutely loved it. I especially loved all of the activities where we were foraging outside. I also loved all of the herbal preparation making, the folklore and anecdotes, the crafts, the label making (who knew it would be so much fun) and I even enjoyed the ‘Boring admin bits’ (Mel’s words not mine). The admin bits were really useful, as they gave us the chance to go through all of the scary bits around teaching the course. It also gave Mel the opportunity to share with us her experiences of teaching the course which was really useful. It was an amazing week. I learnt so much about herbal medicine that I didn’t learn on my degree. I felt it really inspired and sparked my passion for herbal medicine preparation making again and have since been making lots of balms and creams. The way that the course was taught it felt as though we had actually completed the JHC ourselves which was just magical as it makes it so much easier to get participants and I don’t fell as if I missed out as a child because I’ve done it too. It was so so good to do this in person with other herbalists and actually make all of the preparations as we have had a run through ourselves, which makes me feel better prepared. Mel couldn’t have done any more for us! Any queries that we had she researched and got back to us. It was more like a retreat than a course and the surroundings were just beautiful. Something for us newly qualified JHC Leaders to aspire to.
Chantal (2021)
Mel’s zest and enthusiasm for her course shone through - she shared so much knowledge whether it was about plants, remedies, children or logistics and it was all relevant, interesting, sometimes entertaining and I just learned so much from her. The course has been well designed so that the children are gradually building on their knowledge base of plants and remedies and along the way are being introduced to the likes of plant life cycles, the importance of bees and so much more. Our JHC leader’s Handbook was really a labour of love. It had so much information for every individual lesson plus templates for letters, risk assessment forms etc etc. Mel also attached a memory stick with all the templates so it will be easy for everyone to just print the paperwork off when needed. 5+ stars for definite
Davina (2021)
For me, the best part of the course was Mel’s ability to make the herbs so interesting, her passion is very obvious and this makes it all so much easier to learn and remember. The interactive part of the course is amazing, students are encouraged to join in and are offered roles each session, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and cannot wait to start teaching.
Janet (2022)
Seriously, it was amazing. The delivery of the course was superb, the pace and inclusion of all the herbalists there was great. The content inspired and excited me to go out there and set up the course! The making of everything was just so exciting. I learnt so much, laughed lots, played and reignited the enjoyment of herbal medicine at its simplest yet effective ways. Thank you.
Kate (2021)
The whole thing was amazing from start to finish. The surroundings were brilliant and the EcoPod was perfect. Mel tapped into our inner 8 year old - she even changed her voice when she was running through the lesson, talking as she would to her Junior Herbalist group. I love making herbal products and the whole week was spent making herbal products, with a huge bag of goodies to bring home. There is so much information in the folder, lists of equipment needed for each lesson, all the relevant points to be made to the children and lots of little titbits to keep the children interested.
Liz (2021)