In the third of our 'Meet the Director, posts, we meet another relative new addition, Clare. Clare brings not only expertise in outdoor education and forest schooling, but also boundless energy and enthusiasm! Here's what she had to say.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Hello, I'm Clare (aka Belle) and I live in Renfrewshire with my husband and our African Land snail 'Sid'. I am a qualified forest school instructor and specialist in therapeutic play. I've been working with young people for all my professional life working within drama, forest schools and play. I am trained in complex and trauma-informed backgrounds. I have a ridiculous obsession with Lego and frogs which only grows more intense as I get older. I love nothing more than pond dipping with a class or climbing a fabulous tree. My favourite colour is green. no yellow. no pink hmmmm... I like rainbow colours and if I could be any dinosaur it would be a brontosaurus. What drew you to become a Director for Green Aspirations? I've been bringing school groups to sessions at Green Aspirations for six years and I love to see the young people develop in the outdoors. I have developed too! Many a spoon has been carved and a mallet made on site. By joining the team, I hope to bring new ideas and develop new activities for children and adults. The Director group is a great group of people from different backgrounds and experience. They are friendly and welcoming, and we can have a giggle around the fire pit.Â
What do you do as a Director? I have over 15 years' experience working in education and connecting outdoor pursuits to the Curriculum for Excellence, so I can bridge the learning that happens outdoors to the experiences and outcomes expected through that curriculum. We all know the benefits of learning outdoors and I feel we need to help others boost their confidence and self-esteem. Being a Director also allows me to be part of a creative, problem solving team that is definitely encouraged to put our imaginations to work!Â
What do you get out of being a Director? I get to work with like-minded people and brainstorm new ways of planning, doing and reviewing! Occasionally there are biscuits! Decent biscuits with chocolate. I feel that I get friendship out of being a director. Over the years it has been great to grow in friendship with a lovely group of leaders who all care about the environment and sharing knowledge.
What's your favourite aspect of Green Aspirations' work, and how do you think it might develop in the future? The first thing that jumps to mind is the Spoon Hoolie! It's an epic weekend of fun, craft and camping. I hope that it grows in size and shape to become a national household event in the future. I think that Green Aspirations works well with school groups and I would like to see more business generated by helping schools and groups enjoy the outdoor space.Â