The Outdoors Group Podcast
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This podcast is a call to arms to get children and young people outside again. Each week 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 an integral part of learning to creating accessible outdoor spaces, from nurturing the next generation of environmental warriors to encouraging risk taking.
50 Episodes
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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 delighted to be joined by two of our tutors from The Outdoors School. Woody and Hannah both began their teaching careers in mainstream schools before coming to work in an outdoor school with a radically different approach to education. They chatted to us about what drew them to a career in education, what their experiences of mainstream education are, and how that differs to what they’ve found at The Outdoors School. We talked about the positives and challenges of adopting an outdoor learner-led, project based approach and how constructivism works in practice! It was a really interesting and fun conversation to have and we think, a fantastic way to finish the fourth season of The Outdoors Group Podcast!
In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Royal Army Staff Sergeant Nathan Jones. Nathan joined us to talk about his new venture, Discover A Guide, an online community that connects instructors with those new to outdoor adventures. We discussed why he wanted to create this resource, his experience of instructing outdoors and some of the benefits of partaking in outdoor adventurous activities that he sees through his work both with his military colleagues and with civilians. If you’re interested in finding out more, either as an instructor looking to get listed or someone looking for guidance with an adventure or new hobby, head over to www.discoveraguide.com
In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of visiting three of the sites of The Outdoors School to talk to some of the learners there. The Outdoors School is our special independent school that runs outside, all year round, on four sites in Devon, for autistic learners and those with SEN (Special Educational Needs). We chatted about what they thought about the school, how it differs from other settings they’ve attended, what they like about learning outdoors and their ambitions in life. It was so much fun to record and I loved having the opportunity to hear what the young people we work with had to say. We hope you enjoy this special episode!
In this episode we were delighted to be joined, once again, by one of our directors Tom Lowday. This time, he came with his ecological hat on to talk about the rewilding and sustainable woodland management work that is taking place on our largest site, on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon. We talked about orchards and apples (extensively!), woodland management techniques, therapy cows and biodiversity uplifts. It was an enjoyable and interesting conversation and hopefully those listening will feel the same!
It was such an absolute delight to go for a stroll by the canal in Exeter with Robin Harford in this episode! Robin, the man behind the well known Eat Weeds website, joined me to discuss foraging, Ethnobotany, plants as medicine and food and so much more! We discussed why the stories behind plants are so important and need to be told, how those listening can dip their fingers into finding food in the wild where they live and even dabbled in a little bit of politics! It was such an interesting and thought provoking conversation to have and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed being part of it. To find out more about Robin’s work, make sure you visit www.eatweeds.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 delighted to be joined by Annkatrin Hendry, a small scale grower and outdoor educator. She came to talk to us about The Landworkers Alliance, the work she does with children and teachers, her own personal growing space, a recent arts council funded project she was involved in and the thread that ties all her ventures together. It was a hopeful and interesting conversation where we discussed how important it is to empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to protect the world around us and to continue the movement for land justice and greener growing practices. You can find out more about some of the things we talked about at: www.landworkersalliance.org, www.growingdevonschools.org and https://youtu.be/MCEHwNejVGE?si=5pT5UL2SS248mDKJ.
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 Alistair Whitby, Project Officer at the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust. He joined us to discuss an amazing project, in which they took on the mammoth task of rerouting a Sussex waterway called the Broadwater Brook. We chatted about the logistics of such a huge task, how they engaged with and up-skilled the local community and the incredible changes they saw in the waterway and the surrounding environment as a result of the project. It was a fantastic conversation that really highlighted the power of communities working together and provided a brilliant example of people and planet working and living together in harmony.
In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Nick Murphy, Head of Forest School at The Outdoors Group to talk all things Forest School! We chatted about the six principles of Forest School, why it’s such a counter cultural approach to working with children, it’s benefits for both attendees and practitioners and some of Nicks favourite moments from working in the woods over the last decade. We had an absolute blast recording this episode and hope that you enjoy listening to it!
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 so privileged to talk to one of the world's most respected explorers, Jim McNeill, and Lucy Reynolds who is joining him on his next adventure. We discussed what Global Warrior UK does and why it's so important, their upcoming Resolute Expedition, climate change research, citizen science and a whole lot more! It was an absolutely fascinating conversation and we were so grateful for their time. You can follow them on instagram at @icewarriorjim and @oceanwarriorlucy, on youtube at @globalwarrior and for those of you based in Devon, you can find details of their upcoming talk in Totnes on 22nd July here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/putting-a-better-finger-on-the-pulse-of-the-planet-tickets-666391955277
In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Matt Lewis, Engagement Manager at Paignton Zoo. We borrowed him from a busy zoo full of teenagers to discuss conservation, their approach to education, inspiring young people, and why they kept their workshops outdoors after covid. We had a fantastic time chatting and hope you enjoy listening as much as we did having the conversation.
In this episode, I was delighted to visit The Husbandry School in South Devon to join one of the founders, Carole. We settled on a sunny veranda to discuss the principles of the ancient tradition of husbandry, how their project has grown over the years and their approach to working with young people with special educational needs. It was a beautifully thoughtful and gentle conversation and we hope that you enjoy listening as much as we did being there. You can find out more about what they do at www.husbandry.co.uk.
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