Workshop: An Introduction to Fungi and Community Care
This discussion-based, creative workshop will introduce the basics of mushrooms, including what they are and what they do within our ecosystems. We will demystify the phrase “the wood wide web” to explore how fungi connect with plant roots in awe-inspiring networks. We’ll look at our homemade Walworth Garden compost to understand basic processes of decomposition and recycling. To bring together our learnings from the day, we will then mindfully collage together on themes of fungi and care.
This session is ideal for anyone who wants to learn more about fungi, deepen their connection with the forest floor or be awe-inspired by the hidden life beneath our feet. All are welcome, whether you are completely new to fungi or want to deepen your pre-existing connection with mushrooms. The session will also be an opportunity to ask all the questions that you have about fungi that you didn’t even know that you had!
Together we will explore:
An introduction to mushrooms and what they are
The different roles of fungi within the ecosystem
The “wood wide web” - connections between fungi and plant roots
Basic soil science of composting and decomposition
How mycelial networks relate to community care
You will leave this session with a collage piece related to fungi and the natural world, as well as a newfound understanding of and appreciation for the “wood wide web”
Please feel free to bring along any photos of mushrooms that you have encountered for discussion, sharing or identification with the facilitator.
Meet Maymana
Maymana is a community gardener, forager, activist and researcher based in south London. She regularly facilitates herbal medicine, plant storytelling and fungi walks to share her knowledge about the natural world and its potential for healing. In 2020, Maymana founded @fungi.futures on Instagram, a space to map radical alternative futures led by our fungal ancestors. Her award-winning research on how mycorrhizal networks can be used as a metaphor for mutual aid is available to read here.
Price: £85/ Free for Southwark residents
Free places are available for Southwark residents aged 19+. To check whether you are eligible, please click here.
To claim your free place, click ‘Book Here’ below, and enter code ‘SOUTHWARK’ under ‘Redeem Coupon’.
You will then be charged a £10 deposit in order to claim your place, but this will be refunded to you after you attend the workshop.
Please note that you will be required to fill in a Southwark Council form, including some personal information, in order to confirm your place on a workshop, which will be sent to you via email. Your place will not be confirmed until this has been completed.