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The Nature Connects Team
Sarah Witts
Nature, health and wellbeing practitioner & Co-Founder​
Sarah has had a deep love for the natural world since childhood.
However it was when she discovered the science of nature connection 10 years ago that this relationship really became one of healing, connecting and reciprocity.
Through years of experiential learning and reflective pratice via many different models and immersive experiences a desire to support others to connect became increasingly important.
In 2020 she embarked on a Foundation in Ecopsychology and nature based practice with the Natural Academy.
This gave her the skills, confidence and competence to set up Nature Connects CIC (natureconnects.org) in Cornwall at the same time.
She is now studying the Advanced Pathway in Regenerative ecopsychology and nature based practice which she will complete in 2025.
Over the last 4 years Nature Connects has supported hundreds of people to develop and deepen their relationship to nature and to recognise they are part of it.
It has been an honour to witness and support so many transformative experiences that have impacted on people and planet’s health and wellbeing during this time.
One Health- We ARE nature
Victoria Meincken
Early Years Nature Leader
Vicki has a warm and grounding attitude, her passion for Nature and wide knowledge of foraging and culinary skills are always inspiring. She has a qualification in early years education and is working at a forest school.
A lifelong interest in experiential education and the different ways we learn and grow combined with a down-to-earth manner make her ideal company when out in the wilds!
We are delighted that Vicki has joined us in being a third director of Nature Connects and are so proud of her continuing seeking of personal and professional development as she completed the Foundation in Ecopsychology and Nature Based practice in 2023.
Debbie Leigh
Nature, Health & Wellbeing Practitioner ​
Debbie completed the Natural Academy Advanced Pathway in Ecopsychology and Nature Based Practice in 2024. She considers herself a biophiliac - with a “love of life” - a term that was created to suggest that human beings have an instinctive love for the natural world that has been engendered by evolution to help us survive (Earthday.org). She feels a soulful calling to ever deepen and make known that instinctive love, considering it a guiding and comforting force when change comes calling. “With a weaving of my past experience and participation in womens’ circle, climate change activism, nature based workshops, bushcraft, permaculture, community building and my own therapeutic journey though significant life events I find that little holds more potency, beauty and richness than witnessing, supporting and being alongside fellow human beings reflecting and connecting in the wild outdoors.”
Phoebe Riordan
Kids club leader and forest school assistant
Phoebe is an enthusiastic kids club leader, and forest school assistant. She has a love for the great outdoors, and healing of all kinds.
She has worked with several mainstream primary schools supporting tutoring and outdoor learning. She can support dynamic learning needs, and has worked with home ed groups, forest school nurture sessions, and busy holiday clubs. She sometimes supports the Woodland Wellbeing Programme in Praze.
Phoebe has a nurturing and approachable energy and outside of her work with children is a professional massage therapist and yoga instructor.
Here at Nature Connects, we know that the future needs to be one which reconnects us to nature so that we can step into a future of sustainability, health and happiness.
Through exploring natural space, we guide people to sow their own seeds, to grow their sense of belonging in nature and foster a deeper relationship with themselves and the world around them.
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Our work is supported by the Natural Academy who our team have been trained by.
We are also part of the Nature and Health Practitioners Network based in the West of England where we meet regularly to discuss areas of relevance to our sector including quality standards, evaluations and continuing professional development.
Nature Connects CIC and Greenwood Music CIC lead on the Kernow NHP where we are working towards a One Health strategy for Cornwall.