Louise Participant Engagement Coordinator - Norfolk Expand Louise joined the Green Light Trust in 2021 as Participant Engagement Coordinator for Norfolk. Prior to this, Louise worked in Higher Education for over 16 years in a managerial role supporting students with all aspects of learning and teaching at the University of East Anglia. Louise has also worked as a Resettlement Worker, working with individuals to reintroduce them into the community and to sustain independent living. She loves running and being outside in the fresh air and has taken part in a number of races on behalf of various charities.
Kerry PEC Administrator Expand After working in the Civil Service for the past 28 years, supporting people on their journey through the welfare system, Kerry has joined GLT as the PEC Team administrator. Kerry is also a volunteer committee member at the local gymnastics club, and her interests include Zumba, walking and getting away in her caravan.
Lindsay Administrator Expand Lindsay joined Green Light Trust in 2009 as Forest School Administrator, after taking a career break to raise her two children. During that period, she was involved with the Lawshall Primary School in various roles, including PTA Treasurer, fundraising for events, helping with the gardening club, and assisting at Forest School sessions in Frithy Wood.. Lindsay is responsible for all the admin for Forest School and other educational courses; administration and promotion.
Alicia Finance Assistant Expand Prior to working for Green Light Trust, Alicia worked for Suffolk Libraries which has given her a strong sense of why community projects are so important for mental health and wellbeing. As an AAT Qualified Bookkeeper, Alicia has played an integral part in the running of a successful small business with her husband for the last 30 years. Her passions are dance, art, walking in the countryside with her Cairn terrier and relaxing with a good book at the end of the day.
Sheena Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Sheena has a background in teaching with over 30 years’ experience working locally as a Nursery and Primary School teacher. Recently stepping away from the classroom to train as a Level 3 Forest School Leader with the Green Light Trust, Sheena used this time to gain experience with us as a volunteer. Having joined our staff in April 2019, Sheena is excited to be following her passion for nature and to explore its positive impact on learning and well being.
Emmie Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand With a BA hons in Creative Art Therapies in Education, and a Forest School leaders qualification, Emmie has held a variety of roles working creatively with adults and young people. Emmie has experience in basic forestry management, coppicing, for basketry or sculptures, and maintaining and creating trails. She has also planted small woodlands, willow Hazel copses, food forests, wildflower meadows, created wildlife ponds and edible landscapes in urban and rural settings. As well as working for Green Light Trust Emmie runs her own company - Muddy Fingers Environmental Arts which holds numerous creative workshops and happening spaces. Emmie lives in a ‘tiny home’ created entirely by herself and her partner out of recycled materials.
How do I book a place on Forest School Training? Are you ready to book a course with us and become forest school trained? Find out how: Expand Visit our Book a course page for full details of upcoming courses, eligibility requirements, prices and how to book.
Do you have a list of recommended books to read prior to the course starting? There's many books we recommend reading before attending a Forest School course with us. Find out which ones: Expand Yes there will be a list of recommended reading in your joining pack. Many of the books can be borrowed from your local library, and can often be purchased second hand.
Do I have to book the First Aid training with the Green Light Trust? First aid training is a crucial part of being a forest school leader. Book your training with us today. Find out all you need to know: Expand You can choose to obtain your qualification elsewhere as long as it is a certified 16 hour Outdoor First Aid qualification. We do however recommend our training provider, as they have many years of experience in both Outdoor First Aid and Forest School delivery.
By what dates do payments for the FS training courses need to be made? When do payments need to be made to secure your place on a Forest School training course? Find out. Expand A deposit of £100 is required to secure your place on booking. Payment in full will need to be received at least 6 weeks before the start of your course.
Are there any extra costs involved for handing in late of Forest School assignments? All you need to know about becoming a Forest School leader, we've got your questions covered. Expand Costs will be charged for work that exceeds the deadline, unless the extension has been agreed with GLT. £25 per unit for over 4 weeks £50 per unit for over 6 weeks. More information can be found in the terms and conditions in your information pack.
Are fires allowed in public spaces? Part of caring for the environment includes responsibility and knowing what you can and cannot do. Expand You will need to have specific permission from the Landowner or Council to have fires on site, and you will need to check your insurance cover.
I would like to become an independent Forest School practitioner - how do I go about finding a site to run my sessions? Expand We recommend contacting local schools to see if you can work with their children and use their grounds; or local landowners, councils or the forestry commission. It may also be useful to get in touch with your local Forest School Association Group - FSA Norfolk, FSA Suffolk or FSA Essex.
I intend to operate as a freelance Forest School practitioner - what are the chances I will be able to find work? Expand Forest School is an ever growing National and International movement, joining as a member of the Forest School Association you will have access to all the job offers and other Forest School opportunities. https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/fsa-affiliated-groups/
When will the observation of our Forest School session take place as part of the training process? Expand Once you have completed Unit 4 (Forest School Guide) and it has been passed by the tutors, you can plan your six pilot sessions. You can then book your tutor observation visit, this will be on your 4th, 5th, or 6th session. If you attended a Spring term course for example, then you should aim to run your sessions in the Autumn term of the same year.
What do you need to see when you come out to our Forest School session for the observation? Expand We will need to see: Insurance: site and personal DBS number 16 hour Outdoor First aid certificate Your First Aid kit Risk assessments: site, daily, individual (if applicable)
Where do we stand legally if we were to run Forest School sessions before we are qualified? Expand You cannot call your sessions Forest School until you are qualified. You can name your sessions something else for example; Outdoor Learning, but please check your insurance as most insurance companies ask for the qualification, especially when having fires.
Can I hand deliver my assignments to The Foundry in Lawshall? Expand Yes. Assignments can be posted or hand delivered. If posting please send recorded delivery to ensure they arrive safely. Our office is open Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm.
If I am booked onto a course, can I transfer to another? Expand Yes depending on availability, extra costs may incur. Please speak to Lindsay in the office.
What is the margin allowed either side of the word count when submitting assignments? Expand We allow 10% either side of the stated word count on Forest School assignments. Please try not to go over the maximum number of words.
Claire Whittenbury Expand Claire Whittenbury first worked with Green Light Trust in 2018 to help share Bryony's Story, and since then she has helped communicate key messages through video. She understands the aims of the organisation and the sensitivity needed to work with individuals who have suffered challenges. Claire works with organisations and people who are making a difference. Her main focus is supporting them with visual communications and helping to raise awareness of their work, or raise funds so that they can continue to do that work. She works strategically and creatively to produce short videos and deliver assets for campaigns or help communicate specific issues to funding bodies, donors and other supporters.
Why do I need an additional Outdoor First Aid training qualification if I already have the Paediatric? Expand You are required by Open College Network accrediting body to complete a 16 hour Outdoor First Aid qualification. This will be specifically tailored for a Forest School context and situations that might arise within the woodland. The Paediatric is only 12 hours in total and does not cover specifically outdoor scenarios.
Can you recommend an Insurance company specifically for Forest School? Expand For anything Forest School we recommend Birnbeck Insurance Company: https://www.birnbeckinsurance.co.uk/commercial-insurance/forest-school-liability/
Can I book on a CPD course without being Forest School trained or in the process of training? Expand Yes, our CPD courses are open to all.