Self-Sufficiency Day, York, U.K.

Welcome to our new Self-Sufficiency Day full of talks and practical workshops to help you upskill to downshift...

Whether you want to future-proof your family against shortages or learn some skills to help you lead The Good Life, there are many reasons to become more Self-Sufficient.

Make, grow and forage your household essentials, become self-sufficient in health, food, light, heat and more.

Join Wild Harvest School in Spring 2026, as we bring traditional rural skills to the city centre.

• Permaculture - Growing Sustainably
• How to make Light
• How To Make Natural Toiletries
• Wild Medicines
• Wild Food Foraging
• Growing/Harvesting/Preparing Willow for Fuel and Weaving

• Making a base map of your growing space, whether you have a balcony or an acre garden together we will make it more efficient.
• Rag Rugging - make a sample square so you know how to do it again at home and turn all your old clothes into cosy rugs.
• Toothpaste Making
• Beeswax Candle making to accompany the talk about alternative fuels and wicks that can be used to create light.
• Have a go at weaving willow: a communal fence or mini baskets.
• Butter Making
• Short foraging talk covering advantages, cautions including the law, examples, health benefits and more.
• Maybe a bit about pet sheep, lanolin and raw fleece peg loom weaving 'have a go sessions'.

Spark:York17—21 PiccadillyYorkYO1 9PB

Google Map Link: https://goo.gl/maps/7aQK9p7PHVERjGPg6

Sunday 29th March 2026

11am - 5.30pm

Wild Harvest School have been teaching self-sufficiency skills for nearly twenty years as one of the longest serving schools in the UK. We have taught on Escape to the Country, Countryfile, ran workshops for Country Living Magazine, been in Landlove, Crafts Beautiful, and regularly featured in the Yorkshire Post rural life magazines.

Based from our tipi site sustainable education venue in the rural outskirts of York the school began with founder Di, a mother of three and teacher, living off-grid on the moors. Using what was around them to provide for much of their household needs.

Info: Listen to the Sustainable Growing talk to understand how to work with Nature to maximise yields, then get to create a base map and permaculture design of your garden.

Info: Learn about the many uses of willow in self-sufficiency and have a go at weaving a fence and basket - in communal projects.

Info: After this session you will be able to make rugs at home using your old clothes.

Info: Listen to the talk about what you have around you; in the wild, your garden and kitchen cupboards that you can make toiletries from. Have a go at Di's toothpaste recipe.

Info: Discover how to make candles from some unusual 'stuff' that is all around you. What do Lard, a mop head, childrens crayons, and nettle stems all have in common.... - they can all give light in a power-down situation!

Info: Our butter churns get passed around as each of you stirs some love into the making of this essential food stuff. Butter is then made into pats so each guest gets a little pat to take home.

Info: A talk and some demos on Foraging Wild Food - covers the law and safe I.D processes that you should not begin foraging without.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SPARK York, 17-21 Piccadilly, York, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Get App