The Sense and Motion Project is part of the larger Chances4Change portfolio and is BIG Lottery funded. The three year £200,000 project began in January 2008 and is being led by the Forestry Commission from the Micheldever Forest Office. The Project is initially focusing on three Forestry Commission managed woodlands in the South East: Basing Wood (Basingstoke), Stoke Park (Eastleigh) and Havant Thicket (Havant).
The Project has three primary outcomes:
Outcome 1 - Sensory movement in a ‘Tranquil Zone’
Away from crowds, noise and frenetic activity, the tranquil zone offers the older community, those returning to exercise, with physical and mental disabilities, recovering from surgery and suffering from depression, anxiety and tension, the opportunity for gentle walking, relaxation, and contemplation to increase mental well being. With enhanced natural features - wild flowers, a stream/pond, benches, habitats for wildlife – the zone will foster a sense of peace and tranquillity through increased sensory awareness.
Outcome 2 – Woodland Gym
Provision of an area that uses natural features - trees, stumps, hills, streams, dips, and installed structures - to be used as a gym for adults, natural play for children and an obstacle course for all ages. 
Outcome 3 – Forest Free Running
Free running (‘Parkour’/’the art of movement’) is a daring physical activity than involves using the surrounding environment to practise deft, agile movements – leaping, jumping, balancing, climbing and vaulting. Using the Woodland Gym as a practise area, and for beginners training, free runners can progress into the wider forest using its natural obstacles for physical fitness.
How you can get involved…
Our aim is to increase the recreational value of the woodlands and to create and encourage sustainable use of the woodlands by the local communities. We are therefore committed to providing opportunities for community involvement in the project. 
We will be offering a programme of activities to help people engage with the woodland in new and interesting ways. The programme is likely to include, amongst other activities, free running courses, woodland gym sessions, gentle group walking, yoga, natural play for kids, nordic walking, orienteering, Tai Chi, fun runs, family play days and discovery trails. There will be loads to choose from and activities will be advertised and updated on this website so pop back regularly to see what events are coming up.
There are other ways for you to get involved too. You may like to volunteer for conservation tasks or you might like to be involved in our public consultation. Whilst we will be offering a wide variety of opportunities to get involved if you would like to discuss any other ways for your family, friends, business or local school to take part in the project we would be happy to discuss your ideas.
Use the links below to get more information on what is happening in your local woodland.
Basing Wood also known as Carpenters Down (Basingstoke)
Havant Thicket (Havant)
Stoke Park (Eastleigh)
For more information on the Sense and Motion Project contact
Nayana Cintra on 01962 795079 or via email senseandmotion@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
