My passion to become a Forest School Leader was ignited through my work in horticulture with young adults with learning disabilities. Once introduced to the Forest School concept I was immediately drawn to the ethos that puts the individual firmly at the centre of the process and the benefits that this brings. Led by my passion and determination I qualified as a Forest School Leader in 2018 and have run groups at Hilsea Lines since then. In 2021 I co-founded Portsmouth Forest School CIC with my partner Alison. Our mission is to get people of all ages outside enjoying the natural world and observing the flora and fauna on their doorstep. I decided to become a social enterprise because I want everybody to enjoy the benefits that nature can offer.

Children these days don’t spend as much time outdoors with the freedom to roam that I had as a child. Through my Forest School sessions I want to rectify this and encourage children to get outdoors and experience the joys of the natural world around them. I want to improve their health, promote their happiness, and help them learn new skills. I want to see them gain in confidence, become independent, enjoy a sense of achievement, and gain the ability to become more resilient. However, Forest School and being in the outdoors doesn’t just benefit children, it benefits everybody. Now that I’ve started my Forest School CIC, I’m looking to recruit adults, children and their families who share these goals and want to learn, grow, and develop with me, whilst enjoying the great outdoors.

To develop my Forest School skills and knowledge, alongside running Portsmouth Forest School, I worked part time as a Deputy Director at Chichester Forest School and Itchen Valley Country Park delivering Outdoor Learning and Forest School to children and young people of all ages. I also have a 20-year history working in social care with a variety of client groups with additional needs. I am a member of the Forest School Association and attend regular training events and skill sharing events for my personal professional development. I am Qualified in Outdoor First Aid and have an enhanced DBS certificate.