Life is about connection - to each other, to nature and to ourselves, and I am passionate about facilitating that.
I'm happiest outdoors, whether that be breathing in an expansive view from the top of a hill, singing around a campfire, up to my neck in an icy river or foraging for wild greens in the woods and hedgerows. I had put that part of myself away for too long, buried in corporate and family life, but now I'm setting it free.
I realised that I had deferred to others for their practical outdoor skills and became determined to address that, for myself and as an example for my young daughters. And so in recent years I set course on a path of personal development, and as I tugged gently on threads of interest, surrounded by incredible people I met on the path, my horizons and senses creaked wide open.
Learning bushcraft from John Rhyder (former head instructor for Ray Mears) and Phil Brooke at the Woodcraft School in Sussex opened my eyes to the wonders of our woodlands, native plants, and trees; and foraging with the wonderful John Wright at River Cottage inspired me to learn more about the abundance of wild food in our landscape. I deepened my green woodworking skills at London Green Wood - a fantastic co-operative in Hackney - and learned from Kara Moses and Robin Bowman how to deeply connect with trees. I undertook a Lowland Leader walking qualification with Wild Heather in Berkshire and absorbed outdoor first aid with Andy Sullivan at ELST.
Eventually, those threads of interest led me to The Old Way, a transformative course spanning four seasons in Devon's woods, rivers, coast, and moor. There we immersed ourselves in the ways of our ancestors but in a modern context, living lightly as a tribe and as part of, not distinct from, nature; feeding ourselves from the abundance all around us, preparing and enjoying communal meals around the campfire accompanied by crafting, song and stories. We learned to follow the rhythm of the seasons, to feel more and think less, and to build ropes of connection with everything around us. I am so grateful to The Old Way community and they are a huge part of my inspiration for starting Joyful Outdoors.
I hold the following qualifications/ memberships, have enhanced DBS, maintain public liability insurance and subscribe to a leave-no-trace philosophy:
Relevant qualifications:
Other courses attended:
Extract from Talking to the Wild by Becky Hemsley
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