Meet our Therapeutic Forest School & Outdoor Wellbeing Practitioner (Project & Co-design Lead)
Sophie’s work is rooted in the belief that playful, therapeutic experiences in nature can support healing, connection, and healthy development for children, families, and communities. Her practice weaves together the delivery of nature-based programmes, co-design and community engagement, and the development of community-focused projects across Jersey.
An experienced and qualified Forest and Beach School Leader with a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies, Sophie brings over 16 years of practice alongside children and families within Jersey’s education and charitable sectors. Her work is informed by the understanding that nature-based, relational experiences can create powerful spaces for wellbeing and growth—particularly when shared across whole families and communities.
Alongside her work through Nature Base, Sophie facilitates co-design working groups, supporting communities and organisations to explore needs, ideas, and aspirations, and to shape inclusive, meaningful approaches to shared spaces and projects.
A Certified Outdoor Mental Health Practitioner and Eco Therapist, Sophie brings a trauma-informed and therapeutic lens to all areas of her work. Her practice is underpinned by extensive specialist training, including a Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders (with a focus on supporting children with additional needs in Forest School settings), Nature Circles training, Forest Minds training (supporting nature-based mental wellbeing and cognitive skills development), and The Therapy Adventure Intensive Well-being training, supporting children and young people with complex emotional wellbeing and mental health challenges.
Sophie is committed to ongoing professional development and reflective practice. Alongside CPD in Sand Play and Reflective Community Storytelling, she has recently completed a Certificate in Adult Mental Health and Well-being for Outdoor Leaders, including a license to practise Woodcraft for Well-being.
At the heart of all Sophie’s work is a commitment to coming alongside children, families, and communities in inclusive and relational ways—creating space for play, connection with nature, and a strong sense of belonging.
Meet the Family
Nature Base is a small, family-rooted practice with a strong commitment to supporting families and communities through nature-based outdoor experiences.
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Ian, Sophie’s husband normally helps during the weekend and Bank holidays. Ian has experience in various areas as alongside his primary job he’s also worked as a Sessional Youth Worker for over 10 years with the Inclusion Project; working with children and young people with additional needs.
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Faith and Finn, Sophie’s children will often be around at our Family Woodland Sessions; helping out or playing in the mud! Faith is normally seen in her Hi Vis jacket helping at the ‘Pop up’ sessions and particularly likes to help with Story or Song time
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Sophie’s eldest Claudia can be spotted helping during some of the holiday sessions or at the end of a session relaxing in a Hammock. Claudia has loads of varied experience; from leading youth work on a French campsite to using some of her creativity skills from her degree in Acting.
Meet some of our Volunteer Team
