Shake Up Forest
Join us for a full day in nature to connect and share your experiences with other young adults with cancer.
Date: 19 September 2026
Different to our usual Shake Ups, this event is spent completely outdoors in the New Forest.
The day will be led by Layne Hamerston, our friend and colleague who is experienced in cancer rehabilitation, physical recovery and bushcraft skills. You’ll have a chance to work with him on fire building and learning to cook outdoors (depending on conditions on the day).
Everyone will meet at The Retreat New Forest, A35, Christchurch BH23 7EF – after that, we’ll be travelling into the woods!
More information about Shake Up Forest
What will I be doing at Shake Up Forest?
- 9:40 am – Arrive at location within the New Forest
- 10:00 am – Group introductions and going through the plan for the day.
- Rest of the morning – Fire building activities (depending on conditions), where the ultimate goal is to make our own lunch if we can!
- Enjoy lunch together
- Afternoon – We’ll venture deeper into the forest, getting a chance to decompress. Plus, there will be an opportunity to share stories with the groups about your experiences.
We ask that people commit to staying for the full day as the sessions are designed to build on each other throughout the day. There will be breaks and space available if you feel like you need a breather.
Who can join Shake Up Forest?
You are eligible to join if:
- you are currently aged 20-49
- you were diagnosed with cancer after the age of 18
How much does it cost?
Shake Up Forest is free to join, and all food and drink are included on the day.
Please note that we do ask for a refundable deposit of £25. If this is difficult to manage at the moment, there’ll be a spot on the form for you to indicate this. We’d never want finances to get in the way of you attending!
Where is Shake Up Forest being held?
The best address for Shake Up Fire is here: The Retreat New Forest, A35, Christchurch BH23 7EF. After everyone meets, we’ll be travelling into the woods for the day.
What will the facilities be like on the day?
As this is completely out in the wilderness, we will have very limited facilities for the day.
Ideally, participants will be up for a full day in nature (portaloos on site but not much else), whatever the weather, and feel up for exploring the forest.
If this isn’t for you, we have plenty of events and other ways to connect with other young adults with cancer, including our Shake Ups, networks and online programmes.
If you have concerns or questions about joining, you can chat to us about it – please email us at hi@shinecancersupport.org.
Where do I sign up?
Complete this form, and we will be in touch.