The Outdoors Group Podcast
The Outdoors Group Podcast is a call to arms to get children and young people outside again. Each episode, we’ll be talking to a different guest about different aspects of the outdoors covering a wide spectrum of topics from forest school provision to the importance of play, from making outdoor education and integral part of learning, to creating accessible outdoor spaces, from nurturing the next generation or environmental warriors to encouraging risk taking.
You can find us on all major podcast platforms and we would love it if you would give us a listen!
In this episode, we were delighted to be invited to visit The Bioasis, which we found at a top secret location in the South West of England. We were met by the Director Adrian Ferraro to explore this beautiful patch of the world and talk about the experiences they offer to young people. The Bioasis runs immersive residential adventures, with a focus on climate change and looking after the world we live in. We discussed why they’ve taken such a different approach to residentials, the purposeful work those visiting engage in and the wider context of how this sits within the climate anxiety that many young people suffer from. It was a really interesting and engaging conversation and we hope that you enjoy listening just as much. If you’d like to find out more about what they do at The Bioasis, head over to https://www.thebioasis.com to get started!
In this episode, I was delighted to be joined, once again, by the headteacher of The Outdoors School, Robyn Vincent. For those new to us, The Outdoors School is a unique completely outdoor special school based across 4 sites in Devon. It offers a project-based learner-led educational approach to autistic young people and those with special educational needs. This was Robyn’s second appearance on the podcast and this time, she was talking to us about the growth that The Outdoors School has seen over the last 4 years. We discussed how it’s grown, how her role as the headteacher has changed and what her dreams and aspirations for learners and staff alike are. It was a lovely opportunity to reflect on the last four years and to look ahead as we enter our fifth academic year and it’s always a pleasure to spend some time talking to Robyn.
In this episode, I was delighted to be joined by not one but three of my esteemed colleagues to discuss journalling. Our Welfare Officers Rowan Pring and Pete Shepherd were discussing it from a therapeutic perspective and our Director Shev Pring added an educational view point about using learning journals. We discussed the practicalities of what journalling is, why it’s a helpful practice and they shared top tips for how to get started. We also investigated the intersection between the journal as a learning tool and the journal as a therapeutic tool and explored the premise that perhaps they are actually one and the same. It was an insightful, light and useful conversation and as always, a pleasure to facilitate. Rowan mentioned towards the end of the conversation that she has Long Covid and, amongst other designs, she has created two beautiful journals specifically designed for people with Long Covid, that you can find out more about here: https://www.calmertides.co.uk.
In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Abel Pearson, one of the directors at Glasbren. Glasbren is a not-for-profit community land project in Carmarthen, Wales. Over the last 5 years they have been engaging with their local community to grow and deliver over 4000 veg boxes through their Community-Support Agriculture veg box scheme and recently have become the new custodians of a National Trust farm, Parc yr Arglwydd (Lords Park). We talked about where Glasbren originated and what it stands for, dived into biodynamic and no dig farming and discussed their plans for their new home. We explored the power of community and discussed the importance of accessibility in this inspiring and nurturing conversation. It was such a pleasure to have this time to talk to Abel and we hope you enjoy listening to it just as much! To find out more about the amazing work they’re doing, visit www.glasbren.org.uk or follow them on instagram at @glasbren.
In this episode, we were delighted to visit The Baby Room in Exeter to talk to one of its founders, Jen Harris. The Baby Room is an amazing venue and resource for families in Exeter and the surrounding area, offering (amongst other things!) breastfeeding support, real nappy consultation and hire, baby sling consultation and hire and inclusive support for families. At the cornerstone of this Community Interest Company, is a deep founded commitment to reducing waste and making environmentally (and wallet!) friendly choices. They were the best perfect people to talk to about Plastic Free July, real nappies and how to tackle the amount of plastic that we face in our daily lives. Jen had some fantastic tips for those wanting to make changes as well as some interesting thoughts on waste, nappies, and the importance of community hubs like this for families. It was a really interesting conversation to have and hopefully might be useful to some of you thinking about waste this Plastic Free July! To find out more about what they do at The Baby Room, visit https://thebabyroomexeter.co.uk.
In this episode, I’ve passed over the hosting hat once again to our Head of Forest School and Training, Nick Murphy. This is the second episode in which Nick is talking about the realities of running Forest School provision in mainstream schools and this time, he’s joined by local freelance Forest School Lead, Ali Taylor. Nick and Ali had a fantastic conversation in which they talked about the benefits of running Forest School sessions, the limitations he might face, and dug into a wider discussion on the importance of child-led, unstructured time outside. It was such a delight to be a fly on the wall throughout this conversation and we hope that you enjoy listening to it!
In this episode, it was such a delight to talk to founder and Director at Thoughtbox Education, Rachel Musson. She invited me to her little patch of heaven in Totnes and we sat down to talk about what Thoughtbox Education does, their brand new Triple Wellbeing project and the holistic approach she takes when it comes to education. We also delved into her very interesting journey to where she finds herself today, her unconventional (and very successful!) business style and her passion for what she does. It was an inspiring and nurturing conversation, one we didn’t want to end! We hope you enjoy it just as much and if you’d like to find out more about the work they’re doing, please visit www.thoughtboxeducation.com
In this episode we were delighted to be joined by Tom Walmsley from the Ministry of Eco Education to talk about sustainability in education. We discussed what the Ministry of Eco does, why embedding sustainability into education is so important and the influence that children can have on the adults around them in making choices and driving changes to help with the climate crisis we find ourselves in. It was an absolute pleasure to record this outdoors in the beautiful grounds at Dartington and we hope you enjoy listening just as much as we did having the conversation! To find out more about the Ministry of Eco Education, visit www.ministryofeco.org
In this episode, I was so delighted to have the pleasure to visit The Apricot Centre in Totnes. Mark and Hannah gave me a warm welcome (and a delicious lunch!) and we had a fantastic conversation finding out about the amazing and varied work they do on their beautiful site. We chatted about regenerative farming, outdoor well-being, the gut microbiome and so much more. It was a really interesting and engaging conversation and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed having it. For more information about The Apricot Centre, you can visit www.apricotcentre.co.uk
In this episode, we were so delighted to talk to Devon based artist, Joe Webster. Joe is a landscape graffiti artist who works almost exclusively outdoors, mark making in harmony with the elements and whatever Mother Nature throws at him! We spoke about why he works outdoors and the challenges that brings with it, his favourite spaces to paint, advice for those looking to develop their artistic practice and why it’s important to focus on the process rather than the product. You can find out more about him at www.joewebsterart.com and look at his upcoming workshops at www.cornwallartschool.co.uk
In this episode, we were so delighted to talk to Devon based artist, Joe Webster. Joe is a landscape graffiti artist who works almost exclusively outdoors, mark making in harmony with the elements and whatever Mother Nature throws at him! We spoke about why he works outdoors and the challenges that brings with it, his favourite spaces to paint, advice for those looking to develop their artistic practice and why it’s important to focus on the process rather than the product. You can find out more about him at www.joewebsterart.com and look at his upcoming workshops at www.cornwallartschool.co.uk
In this episode, I was delighted to visit the beautiful Tucketts Farm, in South Devon to talk to part of the management team about what they do on this gorgeous riverside site. Rob and Kim joined me to talk about regenerative farming, the compassionate approach they take to working with animals, off grid life and the exciting new artistic venture that they’re undertaking. It was a warm, fascinating conversation and we hope you enjoy listening to what they had to say! You can find more about the farm on instagram at @tucketts_farm.
In this episode, we were delighted to be joined once again by Beverley Garland from The Outdoors School to discuss the alternative approach that we take to Key Stage 4 provision. We discussed the rationale and theory behind taking a learner led and project based approach and how it works in real life. It was a really interesting conversation and really highlighted how this stage of education can be approached in a different way to that predominantly seen in mainstream education.
In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Maria and Harry from Right to Roam, an organisation campaigning for a Right to Roam Act in England “so that millions more people can have easy access to open space, and the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that it brings.” We discussed the history of the right to roam; how the Land Reform Act in Scotland is working out, why land access is so important, the legalities of trespass, and how we can get involved in the movement. It was a really interesting and thought provoking conversation and we hope that it inspires you to explore the land on your doorstep a little more! You can find out more at www.righttoroam.org.uk or on instagram at @right.2roam
In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Lars Atkins, who has recently completed a fairly phenomenal ascent of one of the Alp’s most treacherous mountains, the Matterhorn. We discussed what keeps him returning to the mountains, how to persevere in the face of adversity, and the amazing charities that he was fundraising for. Whether you’re a keen climber or outdoorsy person or just an armchair adventurer, this was an interesting and enjoyable conversation that we’re sure many of you will enjoy listening to! If you would like to help Lars get to his goal of raising £7,000 you can do so over at www.gofundme.com/f/Climbing-the-Matterhorn-for-MacMillan. He was raising money for MacMillan and RNRMC and was supported in his training by www.eliteoutdoorfitness.com and you can find him on instagram at @thelarsypan.
In this episode we were delighted to be joined by Craig Vincent, the Head of Teaching and Learning at The Outdoors School. He took an hour out of his jam packed schedule to talk to us about the innovative curriculum that we use at the school. We explored what constructivism actually means, trauma-led learning, our unique three-stage curriculum, and the importance of setting learners up for a life of loving learning. It was an insightful and informative discussion and we hope you enjoy listening! For more information about our school, head over to www.theoutdoorsschool.co.uk
As we approach a decade of delivering Forest School Leader Training, we thought we’d sit down with our Lead Trainer, Neil Martin, to discuss the course. We chatted about exactly what it involves, why people choose to do this training, and his experience of working with hundreds of people over the years to get them started on their Forest School Leader journey. As always when talking to Neil, we had great fun and hope that you enjoy listening as much as we did being in the woods recording this! If you’d like to find out more about the training we run, head over to www.outdoorsgroup.co.uk/training and maybe we’ll see you in the woods before too long!
In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Andy Dunstan and Dawn Williamson from the Wheeled Access Group in Devon. WAG work with the Moorland Guides group to develop routes on Dartmoor that are accessible to people using mobility scooters and also lead guided walks on these routes. We chatted about how the group formed, and their experience of discovering and guiding accessible routes over the years. You can find out more about the Dartmoor Walking Festival and where to find them over at https://moorlandguides.co.uk/dwf/!
In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Claire and Kate, two home educating parents who have 30 years and 6 kids worth of experience between them! They joined us to chat about why parents may choose to home educate, how it works in practice, and the challenges and highlights that their home education journeys have presented so far. We talked about some of the most commonly asked questions such as how do you make sure your kids socialise, what do you do about exams, and how do you know what to teach! This is a really interesting and potentially useful conversation for anyone wanting to know more about home education, particularly those considering it for their own children.
In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Dr Naomi Fisher, an independent clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. Naomi specialises in trauma, autism, and alternative approaches to education. We had a fantastic conversation discussing everything from the psychology of learning to the importance of play, from what motivates young people to learn to the value of video games. This is a must listen for parents and educators alike, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we did having the conversation. Naomi’s new book ‘A different way to learn’ is out later this year so do check that out once it’s released.
In this, the first episode of our third series, we were delighted to be joined by Sam Kendall, Head of School Learning at the Eden Project. Sam chatted to us about the mission of the Eden Project, the educational work they do, their story based approach to education, and the what and why of their new programme for Early Careers Teachers. It was a fascinating and engaging conversation to have and we hope you enjoy listening to it just as much as we did!
I was delighted to be joined once again by our well-being officers, Rowan Pring and Pete Shepherd, for a conversation that left me feeling encouraged and sustained for the dark wet evening I went out into. The overarching theme of our discussion was self care and being kind to yourselves as we navigate a time of year which many people find challenging. They offered some practical tips and advice at how to protect your mental health as well as plenty of reassurance about feeling a bit slower at this time of year. A gorgeously gentle and warm listen that we’re going to recommend to everyone this month!
In this episode, I was joined by Tash Furmidge and Tim Dexter from Asthma and Lung UK to talk about air pollution, it’s links to climate change and their Clean Air Champions scheme. We discussed what air pollution is, the dangers it causes, and what can be done to lessen the impact of it. For anyone interested in finding out more about anything we spoke about, please head over to their website at www.asthmaandlung.org.uk
It was a pleasure to be back in the cabin at Exmouth again to join Head of Forest Schools at The Outdoors Group and master crafter, Nick Murphy, to talk all things spoons. He told us about how he came to carving spoons, his relationship with crafting and his mental health, the concept of slojd and how the spooning community influenced all of this. It was a warm, insightful and cheering chat and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording it. You can check out Nick’s spoons on instagram at @murphys_spoon.
In this episode, I sat down with two members of staff from The Outdoors School to discuss the why, what and how of project based learning. We discussed what it can look like in practice, talked about real life projects they’ve recently facilitated and shared some top tips for those listening. We also touched on the concept of self directed learning and the importance of nurturing life long learners with a thirst for acquiring new knowledge and skills. This is a fantastic episode for anyone working in education, whether you’re a teacher, home educating parent or working in education within another capacity.
In this episode, I was joined by Molly Mary Simmons, a Cornish based forest school leader and the woman behind Where Wildlings Flow. We discussed her journey to Forest School, how she found her Forest School Training course, how she’s using those skills now and her love of archery and wolves! Full of whimsy and joy, this is an uplifting and inspiring episode, guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
In this episode, I was delighted to be joined by the man, the legend, that is Neil Martin. Neil is our lead trainer at The Outdoors Group and storyteller extraordinaire. Neil has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to storytelling and he was good enough to share some of it with me as we discussed the relevance storytelling still has, how to reach children and adults of all ages and explored some tips for those wanting to give it a go themselves.
In this episode, I was joined by the Headteacher of the Avanti Hall School in Exeter, Phil Arnold, for a conversation about the place of outdoor education and Forest School within mainstream schools in the UK. We discussed what outdoor education means to different people, the challenges teachers can face in facilitating it, the benefits it can have to students of all ages and it’s place in a post-covid world.
In this episode I was delighted to be joined by Michael James, author of Forest School and Autism, and Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming. We discussed the benefits of Forest School for neurodiverse children and young people, the similarities between good Forest School practise and good autism practice, the biggest myths about autism that they wanted to dispel and why the outdoors is so important to them.
In this episode, I’m joined by the headteacher of The Outdoors School, Robyn Vincent to talk about taking a different approach than the mainstream narrative when it comes to both education and parenting. We discussed what authenticity means in this context, how to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in and follow your own path and the importance of leading by example for both adults and children around you. A fantastic listen for both anyone working in education and for parents, grandparents and carers.
In this episode, I talk to Pete Shepherd and Rowan Pring about the therapeutic benefits of spending time outside. Both Pete and Rowan are trained counsellors with a wealth of experience and a passion for the outdoors. We discuss, among other things, the benefits of taking therapy outside for both adults and children, how to access these benefits in an urban environment, and in a non-therapeutic context, how being outside can positively impact our stress levels, mental health and well-being.
In this episode, I’m joined by one of our company directors Tom Lowday, to talk all things play related! We discuss what real, spontaneous play looks like, the benefits of it for children and young people, how it can be used as an educational tool and how it can equip children with the building blocks they need to develop key social and emotional ‘soft’ skills. We focus particularly on play in an outdoor setting and look at how the natural world can provide a rich, inspiring backdrop for children’s play.
In this inaugural episode of The Outdoors Group podcast, I’m joined by one of the company directors, Shevek Pring to talk about his experience of outdoor education and its place within the national school system. We delve briefly into a history of education and discuss what education needs to look like in order to facilitate learners with the skills they need to be happy, successful and productive members of society in years to come.
Want To Be A Guest?
We’re all about community and connection here at TOG. Our ears are always listening and our doors are always open. If there is something you’re passionate about and you’d like to give it a platform, or think you could add your voice to our conversation and would like to appear as a guest on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you!
Simply drop our host Hannah, an email on [email protected] with your idea and she’ll be in touch.
