Meet the Team | My Site

Meet our FABulous team:

Mud Pie Explorers Manager Founder and Managing Director nickie@mud-pies.co.uk I started Mud Pies in 2011 after working in the women’s refuge sector and a short stay in mainstream education. I became a qualified Forest School Leader in 2013. I’ve loved my 25+ years of working with children with additional needs, including academic research into the needs of traumatised children. I am wholeheartedly focused on creating play based opportunities for connecting children with nature, communities and their authentic selves.	Mud Pie Explorers Deputy Manager Deputy Manager lucy@mud-pies.co.uk Child empowerment through emotional intelligence is my passion & nature is my hearts’ home. So, Forest School ticks my boxes. I’ve been a leader since 2019 & have a background in youth work, early years, 121 and running projects. All of my practice is trauma informed, I pull knowledge from a life of personal development & research into healing mind, body & soul. This included courses such as CBT counselling, dance movement therapy, holistic therapies + more!	Mud Pie Explorers Director Director I’ve always been passionate about children playing in nature and spent many happy days with my children playing in the woods. I try to get out amongst the trees everyday, theres nothing better. When I found out that Mud Pies were looking for a new Director, I jumped at the chance, its amazing to hear about how the team are impacting lives everyday.
Mud Pie Explorers Director Director I work in health and safety with a focus on countryside settings. I am passionate about children getting out into nature, not only having a fantastic, healthy time but learning important risk management skills. I absolutely love the ethos of Mud Pies and being part of the wonderful team.	Mud Pie Explorers Director Director I am really proud to say that I’ve been part of Mud Pies since the very beginning, in 2011. As a teacher of 27 years and sharing Nickie’s passion to get children outside and exploring, becoming a Director at Mud Pies was an easy decision for me. Watching the company grow and fulfill our original intentions to bring nature to as many children as possible, has been a real honour. Mud Pies does something that no other Forest school company does…	Mud Pie Explorers Outdoor Learning Support Outdoor Learning Support I am a serious Bushcraft enthusiast! I have been a Scout leader for 15 years and I love being outdoors, especially going hammock camping underneath the stars 🙂 Working alongside kids is extremely important to me especially due to the lack of caring male role models in many children’s lives.
Mud Pie Explorers Forest School Leader Forest School Leader and Newport Site Manager - colleen@mud-pies.co.uk I came to Mud Pies through a childhood spent living in a treehouse and a career in outdoor activities (high ropes, archery). In the spring of 2022 I started Mud Pies Newport so Wales can have some Forest School love too!	Mud Pie Explorers Forest School Leader Forest School Leader - I joined the team in 2020 when I decided to get my Forest School Leader qualification. I grew up in the countryside so I always had plenty of space outside to play and explore, and I know it had a great positive impact on me. I wanted to help provide a space where children can have similar experiences that I had as a child and them feel connected to their environment.	Mud Pie Explorers Trainee Forest School Leader Trainee Forest School Leader I have worked with young people in the outdoors since 2018, teaching about bushcraft and our environment. I believe a sense of connectedness with nature is fundamental to both our mental and physical wellbeing. Forest schools offer an amazing opportunity for children to not only learn about the natural world, but to also grow socially and emotionally. I feel very lucky to be able to work with Mud Pies and provide young people with this kind of learning experience.
Mud Pie Explorers Outdoor Learning Support Outdoor Learning Support I’m a Volunteer with an absolute passion for Children’s wellbeing. I have been assisting with our SEND and preschool groups for over a year. I’m continually amazed with the magic that Forest school brings. Seeing the children develop resilience, confidence and making such a strong nature connection brings joy to my heart.	Mud Pie Explorers Outdoor Learning Support Outdoor Learning Support My journey with MPE started back in March 2018. I love nature, am a qualified wildlife conservationist (BSc Hons) and an animal lover. I hope to inspire our little Explorers to connect with nature, feel the benefits it provides, help them gain transferable skills, and get the most of their time outside. Some of my favourite activities to do with the kids are bug hunting in the meadow, look for wild animals prints, explore the woods and making fire!	Mud Pie Explorers Forest School Leader Forest School Leader I’ve been working with Mud Pies since qualifying as a Forest School Leader in 2020. I’ve worked with children, young people and families for 20 years and love spending time outside so this job is perfect! I love cooking on the fire, woodland crafts and am always on the lookout for the elusive woodpecker in the woods.
Mud Pie Explorers Outdoor Learning Support Outdoor Learning Support I grew up enjoying playing in nature, especially climbing in trees and doing hands-on investigative exploration. I am currently training in rock climbing and wrestling, then in my spare time I help out with FS groups, which I really love!	Mud Pie Explorers Forest School Leader Forest School Leader jess@mud-pies.co.uk With 10+ years of Forest School and alternative educational experience; holistic, child-centric learning with an added pinch of un-schooling is what I’m about! Allowing children the space to investigate their true self through PLAY; especially outdoors, in these times of technological-based life.	Mud Pie Explorers Forest School Leader Forest School Leader Being outside, connecting and learning about the natural world is my happy place. My passion is to help more people find their happy place in nature. I am a strong advocate for getting more people outside (both adults and children) and I feel grateful that my hobbies and passions in life also happen to be my job! I started my forest school journey in 2019 and since then haven’t looked back.
Mud Pie Explorers Outdoor Learning Support Outdoor Learning Support Finding my happiest childhood memories beginning in the forest, building shelters and observing wildlife, taking this love from my youth into teaching is a lifelong ambition – a dream coming true working with Mud Pies! Starting my journey as a children’s party host, leading my magical jungle inspired decor company ‘Fizzy Forest’ running from 2012 into my latest youth project ‘The Pollinator Parade’ buzzing from 2020.