Woman's Weekly (UK)

In 2014, our lives changed forever

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i’ve got a question for you.’

I turned to my partner, Ian, certain I knew what he was about to say.

‘Yes?’ I whispered.

‘Do you want to buy a forest with me?’

Gazing at my handsome chap, I felt my face light up. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘I do!’

It was 2013 and after being widowed in 2006, I thought I’d never find love again. However, in 2010 when I was a nutritiona­l therapist, I met Ian, a graphic designer, during a networking event.

We’d both dreamed of a different life – away from our current roles – and, after getting to know one another, became firm friends. Three years on, we were head over heels in love.

When Ian, who’d worked with Cubs and Scouts in the past, found he could retrain in forest skills, he started imagining a different way of working – one where he could be creative in a new way. We both believe in the power of education, and love being outside, and gradually our idea for Forest Owl – our woodland school – was born.

In 2014, our lives changed forever. We married at a ceremony in Box End Park, Kempston, and launched fulltime into our new vocation. When our guests asked us what we wanted as a gift, we requested they buy trees for a woodland we’d chosen, just outside Grafham. Forest Owl Adventures was born.

Helping children

Now we spend our time outside, working with children on school trips, taking small groups through the forest after school, at weekends or in the holidays, as well as visiting schools during term time.

We see children grow in confidence and thrive in the natural environmen­t, and help kids who struggle to concentrat­e in the classroom to embrace learning in an unique way.

I’ve also started to run a grief recovery programme to help others get through bereavemen­t and rebuild their lives.

Life these days is very different

– and I am determined to make each day an adventure.

 ??  ?? For more info, go to forestowl.co.uk
For more info, go to forestowl.co.uk

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