Mindy

My name is Mindy Pickering and I’m passionate about encouraging all children to enjoy outdoor play. I have seen through my work and with my own children how essential contact with nature is for their all round development. My Forest School journey started over 10 years ago, I worked very closely with children and I could see very clearly how much the outdoors affected them; They were calmer, more focused and engaged.

It was obvious to me that being outdoors had huge emotional health benefits as well as encouraging appreciation and responsibility for the natural environment. In the current technological environment children seem to be losing touch with nature and I feel it is important to do something about this now, to get children outside and let nature work its magic.

I am a level 3 qualified Forest School Leader and Early Years Teacher with first class honours in Early Childhood Studies (BA). I have worked within childcare for over 23 years and have had experience with children with special needs. I have an outdoor first aid certificate, am fully insured and have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate (DBS).

In my Forest School work I have provided sessions for primary schools, nurseries, children’s centres, home educated children, pre-schoolers and child minders.

Linny

I'm Linny, and I'm pretty keen on being outside. I've tried out various careers in my time, farming to film-making, and (sticking with the 'f's) I am now a Level 3 trained Forest School Leader. I started volunteering with Mindy 6 years ago, and have seen how much my own daughter benefits from time at Badgerwood.

I trained with the Forest School Learning Initiative in Winchcombe and have also completed an outdoor education training with Devon based organisation Wildwise. I'm a passionate believer in the positive effects of spending time in nature, and the earlier you start the better!

I also work with home educated children in Stroud and will soon be starting a weekly woodland well-being group for adults.