Our team

Learn a little about the people who lead, develop and deliver our inclusive wellbeing services.

Interested in joining us?
Explore employment, volunteering, student placement and Director opportunities with Mud Pie Explorers.

Join our team

Nickie Corr Founder & Managing Director Nickie founded Mud Pie Explorers in 2011 and has over 25 years’ experience creating inclusive support for children. Her background spans the women’s refuge sector, education, research and outdoor practice. Expertise: SEND and inclusion · Trauma-informed practice · Safeguarding · Service development Qualifications: BSc Sociology with Psychology · MSc Housing Studies · Level 3 Forest School Leader	Colleen Gough Services Manager & Deputy Safeguarding Lead Colleen established Mud Pies Newport in 2022 & now oversees service delivery across Mud Pies. Her experience spans primary education, Forest School & outdoor pursuits including bushcraft, archery & high ropes. Expertise: Service delivery · Outdoor learning · Safeguarding · Mental health first aid Qualifications: Degree in Documentary Film & TV · Level 3 Forest School Leader · Level 2 Outdoor Learning · Archery GB Instructor ·Introductory BSL	Tor Hands Volunteer Coordinator Tor recruits and supports Mud Pies volunteers using a person-centred approach that recognises individual strengths and needs. She previously managed large volunteer teams for Run 4 Wales and a National Trust campsite. Expertise: Volunteer development · Inclusive recruitment · Project management Qualifications: Master of Business Administration · IOSH Managing Safely · PRINCE2 and WCVO training
Clare Haughton Inclusive Wellbeing Lead & Designated Safeguarding Lead Clare brings 17 years’ experience in childhood education, including 10 years in management and extensive experience in teaching outdoors. As our Designated Safeguarding Lead, she supports safe, inclusive practice across our services. Expertise: Child development · Safeguarding ·Communication support Qualifications: Degree in Childhood Studies · Early Years teaching qualification · CACHE Level 3 Child Development · Level 3 Forest School	Zak Musa Inclusive Wellbeing Lead Zak first attended Mud Pies as a child in 2011, later becoming a volunteer and then a team member. He leads several sessions including our Dungeons & Dragons groups, using collaborative play to support communication, participation and problem-solving. He also has experience teaching contact sports to disabled children. Expertise: Games-based learning · Child- led decision making· Communication Qualification: Level 3 Sports and Fitness Coaching	Rachael Pouncett Family Support Worker and Admin (incl medical lead) Rachael supports children and families before, during and between sessions. She is passionate about children’s wellbeing and the role of play, nature and relationships in supporting regulation, connection and participation. Expertise: Family support · Children’s mental health · Communication · Nature connection Qualifications: Level 2 Children and Young People’s Mental Health · Makaton Level 1 · Playwork Level 1 ·FS Level 3 in progress
Georgie Mavrakis Inclusive Wellbeing Lead Georgie brings over 20 years’ experience across education, conservation and community wellbeing. As a teacher and former London Wildlife Trust manager, she has supported children, disabled young people and diverse communities to access nature, develop autonomy and participate in their own way. Expertise: Child-led learning · Nature and wellbeing · Inclusion Qualifications: MSc Education for Sustainability · PGCE with QTS · Level 3 FS ·Restorative Practice training	Sam Armstrong Inclusive Wellbeing Lead Sam brings experience as a Park Ranger and a strong knowledge of wildlife, growing and practical nature-based activities. She supports children to explore, participate and build meaningful connections with the natural world. Expertise: Nature connection · Citizen science · Growing · Outdoor learning Training: Forest School Level 3 in progress · OPAL Citizen Science Leadership · Beekeeping and fermentation training	Nic Pretious Inclusive Wellbeing Volunteer Nic is passionate about the role of nature in wellbeing and is developing her experience of supporting children outdoors. She also volunteers with an adult nature-wellbeing group, where she helps facilitate grounding, creative activities, nature crafts and woodwork. Expertise: Nature connection · Creative activities · Group wellbeing Training: Level 1 Forest School · FS Level 3 in progress
Ruby Luscombe Inclusive Wellbeing Volunteer Ruby is studying Psychology and brings experience supporting children through nursery work, creative activities and widening-participation programmes. Her strong interest in art helps her create accessible opportunities for children to explore and express themselves in their own way. Expertise: Psychology · Creative expression · Early childhood · Widening participation Qualifications: Psychology degree in progress · A Levels in Fine Art	Xander King Inclusive Wellbeing Practitioner Xander first attended Mud Pies as a child, later becoming a volunteer and then a paid team member. He supports our weekend sessions including Dungeons & Dragons groups and Campfire Council, helping children communicate, navigate conflict and influence the development of Mud Pies. Expertise: Play-based learning · Youth participation · Communication · Conflict resolution	Carolyn Watkins Placement Student Carolyn brings 25 years’ experience in primary and SEND settings, alongside 10 years leading outdoor clubs and extensive school governance experience. She is completing a placement with Mud Pies as part of her professional development. Expertise: SEND · Child development · Youth work · Outdoor learning Qualifications: Degrees in Childhood Studies and Early Years · JNC Youth Work · HLTA · Level 4 SEND Diploma · CACHE Extended Diploma · BSL Levels 1 and 2
Emmeline Petite Occupational therapy student placement	Donna Jones Placement student	Adele Masztalerz Health and Safety Director Adele provides strategic oversight of health, safety and risk management across Mud Pies, with particular expertise in countryside settings. She supports an approach that is risk aware rather than risk averse, enabling children to explore and take developmentally appropriate risks safely. Expertise: Health and safety · Countryside risk · Governance · Safeguarding Qualifications: Chartered Fellow of CIEH and IOSH · IOSH Counter-Terrorism and Martyn’s Law Certificate
Damon Lisseman Finance Director Damon has supported Mud Pie Explorers since its beginning and previously led many of our woodland groups. He combines a practical understanding of our services with financial oversight, helping ensure the organisation remains sustainable and well managed. Expertise: Financial management · Organisational sustainability · Outdoor delivery Qualifications: AAT Level 3 Bookkeeping · Part-qualified ACCA · Level 3 Forest School Leader	Donna Hewitt Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Director Donna brings more than 25 years’ marketing experience to Mud Pies, supporting how we communicate our purpose, reach new audiences and demonstrate our impact. She is passionate about children having opportunities to play, explore and build a meaningful connection with nature. Expertise: Marketing · Communications · Audience engagement · Governance Qualifications: Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing · Immediate Life Support · Safeguarding	Mandy Collier-King Safeguarding Director Mandy has supported Mud Pies since the beginning. She brings over 25 years’ experience in education, including leadership as a SENDCo and maintained nursery school headteacher. Expertise: Safeguarding · SEND leadership · Educational policy · Governance Qualifications: MA Raising Achievement in City Schools · PGCE · BA English Literature · NPQ Senior Leadership ·DSL and Safer Recruitment training