My name’s Ruth and I’m a biophiliac
Not as weird as it sounds, you may be one too and if you’re not, I’m here – as your Nature Connectedness Guide and Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner – to help you become one!
It’s a Greek-derived word meaning “love of life or living systems”. As human beings, we’re intrinsically part of, and innately drawn to seek a connection with the natural world around us to thrive. And in nature is where I thrive best.
I grew up on the Wirral peninsula, playing out from dawn until dusk; climbing trees, splashing in streams, stirring rose petals with a twig in a bucket of water to make ‘perfume’!
But when I grew up, I grew away from nature as so many of us do and I no longer felt like ‘me’. I didn’t know why at the time, just felt inside a niggling tug that something essential was wrong in my life for many years.
Something had to change. And if you want change, you must make change. So, I did.
A light bulb moment of serendipity led me to university as a mature student to study a degree in Outdoor & Environmental Education and qualify as a Mountain Leader. I took a leap and followed my heart and my instincts; sold up, packed up and moved up to the Lake District.
Immersed in the majestic mountain landscapes of sparkling lakes, swooping valleys and magical woodlands; snow, sunshine and rain (more rain than sunshine) my body and mind let out a huge metaphorical sigh and I knew I had come home to the natural place I (and all of us) belong.
I spent 12 years working for conservation charities in the Lake District on projects that look after the spectacular landscapes and on landscape engagement – dreaming up and delivering ways to ignite and inspire people’s fascination for, and understanding of, the natural world. I led visually impaired people on mountain walks; set up the Young Rangers Scheme for the Lake District National Park; volunteered for upland path repair and maintenance, dry stone walling, tree planting and woodland management and much more.
I went out into the fells, mountains, and lakes. I hill-walked, kayaked, swam, cycled, ran. I really took notice of the landscapes and wildlife around me, and I came to realise that being outside in nature, doing and breathing and seeing, made me feel good, in mind and body and spirit.
And I wanted to share with other people what had been life-changing for my physical, mental and spiritual health so I carried on learning.
I am now qualified as an Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Practitioner and am about to start studying to become a Wilderness Psychotherapist.
I firmly believe that age is no barrier to learning, change and personal growth.
Nature changed my life. It can change yours too.
My Qualifications & Training
- NATURAL WELLBEING GUIDE/OUTDOOR EDUCATOR - BSc (Hons) Outdoor and Environmental Education (First Class)
- ADVANCED WILDERNESS THERAPEUTIC PRACTITIONER - Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches
- MOUNTAIN LEADER - MLTUK Mountain Leader Award
- NATURE CONNECTION GUIDE - Certificate in Nature Connectedness
- FOREST BATHING GUIDE - Diploma in Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing)
- CUMBRIA DARK SKIES AMBASSADOR
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- Rescue Emergency Care Scheme Outdoor First Aid Certificate
- Level 2 Award - First Aid for Mental Health
- Level 3 RLSS National Water Safety Management Programme
- Certificate in Team Leading Principles
- Managing Risk and Nature Experiences for Dementia
- Member of the Institute of Outdoor Learning - Association for Outdoor Therapy