Hi, I'm Anne
I work as an ecotherapy practitioner, supporting people to find calm through connection to nature. I can usually be found walking through mud, swimming in cold water and having fun in the green spaces in and around my city.
My own childhood was mostly spent in wellies, playing with mud and sticks and making daisy chains. I am a bit older now but still love these simple things.
Keep reading below for more information about my story.
"PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL"
MAYA ANGELOU
My Story
I spent more than 35 years working as a nurse and midwife, listening to the experiences of people of all ages, including expectant and new parents. Parenting classes and wellbeing education were the part of my job I was the most passionate about, in particular supporting parents to grow into family life together. Connections to my own children grew stronger in the natural world and I now regularly take my grandchildren to forest school and local green spaces. This has fueled my passion to support calm through nature connection, beginning even before birth.
Working in indoor healthcare settings convinced me that the traditional consulting room environment could have an impact on therapeutic relationships, healthcare and wellbeing support. I have sought training and professional development opportunities, which have allowed me to experience the benefits of green wellbeing settings; I am proud to be a member of the College of Medicine and Integrated Health, the organisation which first introduced social prescribing.
Partnerships with like-minded practitioners and organisations are central to everything that our team offers and I deeply value our collaborations. As a graduate teacher, practice facilitator and mentor, I have supported the learning and development of NHS professionals, a wide range of healthcare students and wellbeing practitioners. I seek to promote and provide self-care in green places for professionals at every opportunity.
My Skills, Training and Experience
Outdoor Wellbeing Training
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Certified Forest Bathing Guide (Nádúr Centre for Integrative Forest Therapy)
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Certified Forest Therapy Practitioner (Nádúr Centre for Integrative Forest Therapy)
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2 Day Outdoor Pursuits First Aid training (ITS)
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'Think Like a Tree' design course
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'Think Like a Forest' regenerative business training
Qualifications and Training
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Mental Health First Aider (MHFA)
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Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Studies (University of Derby)
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Professional Graduate Diploma in Education – PGDTLLS (University of Derby)
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Mentorship, Learning and Assessment in Practice (University of Nottingham)
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Aromatherapy diploma (ITEC)
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Holistic Massage diploma (ITEC)
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Pregnancy Massage (Gateway)
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Infant Massage (University of Nottingham)
Experience
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35 years' nursing and midwifery practice in hospital and community settings
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Clinical education roles held within NHS and university settings
Professional Memberships
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Member of the College of Medicine and Integrated Health
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Member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists
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Member of the Derbyshire wide GreenSPring , Green Providers Alliance for Green Social Prescribing
Awards
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Federation of Holistic Therapists Excellence Award for 'Green Therapy Business of the Year', Winner 2020