Getting to know you

Author Jo Scofield is passionate about getting children and their families out into the great outdoors to learn and play, whatever the weather

Which explorers inspire you?

All explorers – anyone interested in exploring the natural world around them. And this doesn’t have to be up a mountain or in a remote place. Children are often the best explorers if given the space and left to follow their curiosity. They can spend hours exploring a corner of the garden, a woodlouse home or tiny wild places.

What was your plan B career-wise?

Photography.

Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?

Nothing, we all have too many possessions and can live happily without any of them.

Theme song for your life?

Always look on the bright side of life... I am a worrier so I need to be constantly reminded.

Last meal on earth?

Pancakes cooked on an open fire on the beach, while watching the sun set over the sea, served with wild foraged berries and wild honey. Washed down with a local cider.

Dream dinner party guests?

The Wild Things from “Where the Wild Things are”.

First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?

Buy a piece of magical woodland by the sea and set up some wild schools.

If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you’d do?

Stop the internet, make everyone go camping for at least a week where you have to cook your food over a fire, or make a new rule that every teenager must spend six months after leaving school volunteering for a wildlife trust, conservation or environmental charity.

Favourite holiday destination?

Tiny remote island in Greece where we live very simply, off the grid, no electricity, composting loo, no cars etc.

What was the last book you read?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, to my niece.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hot cross buns.

What makes you happy?

Going on long walks in the countryside with only the dogs to talk to. Lying down under an ancient tree and getting lost looking up into the leaves.

What makes you sad?

When I see children outside on their phones and their parents doing the same, not noticing the world around them, hours wasted on social media.

If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?

I’m happy in the present, we are very lucky to be born at this time, where medicine is very good and we haven’t yet completely destroyed our wonderful diverse planet.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

You are going to get loads of advice, ignore it all and follow your instinct. Whatever you are happy doing is right. This advice came from my midwife at the delivery of my first baby.

What do you do to unwind?

Painting and drawing, sitting outside and trying to capture a moment and slowing down to notice the details.

Happiest memory?

There are too many, probably wonderful times when the children were young... full moon night walks shadow dancing, laying fairy night light trails on a deserted beach at night, sitting around campfires telling spooky stories...

And most embarrassing?

Having my second baby at home and then coming out to the whole street outside cheering!

What are you proudest of?

My children who have all grown up into wonderfully wild individuals and are now teaching me things every day.

Who do you admire most?

People who don’t feel they have to conform and take up every opportunity to have wild adventures. There are no excuses not to do things in life.

Tell us a joke?

Ask Alexa – I’m going outside!

If she had to eat one food for the rest of her life, Jo would opt for the delicious hot cross bun.