About us
Instinctively Wild began life in 2008 as Borders Environmental Education Services (BEES) a social enterprise. Originally we started out with Saturday clubs and summer camps at Harestanes in the Borders. As time went on we attracted people’s attention and started to get approached by a whole range of organisations. Such as the NHS, Local Authorities, Third Sector organisations and grant funders. We set up and ran working conservation holidays on the Northumberland Coast and ran workshops at the Greenbelt festival, We worked with Concordia to have a team of International volunteers spend three weeks with us.
In 2014 we rebranded and changed our name to Instinctively Wild. In 2015 we changed from a charity/not for profit company to a Community Interest Company. This gave the opportunity for some long term volunteers and leaders to become Directors and have a direct influence of the direction of Instinctively Wild.
Over time we have become specialist in a number of key areas; Eco-therapy, Forest School delivery and Corporate days out and team building. We just totally love what we do – making a difference in the world through a connection with nature is awesome! Instinctively Wild is a social enterprise that’s as much about people as it is about nature.
We hope you would like to be a part of that journey too, either as a client, volunteer, leader or Director. So reach out and make contact – we would love to hear from you.
Pete Carthy, Founding Director
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/peter-carthy-4669a644
Pete Carthy grew up in the countryside near Blackpool and describes himself as “the champion tree-climber in the local area”.
Pete has worked as a teacher for twenty two years. While working at Niddrie Mill Primary School, he began running Forest School and eco-schools projects. He also set up a link with Ukuruni Primary School in Kenya, focusing on curriculum development and skills around gardening, growing food, and the use of energy.
Eventually, he decided that to realise the projects he was passionate about, he would need to set up an environmental charity. With grant support from Scotland UnLtd, Borders Environmental Education Services (BEES) became reality in 2008. Since then it has changed name and more recently changed legal structure. “We are evolving all the time,” says Pete.
Pete is inspired by the work and words of John Muir, especially:
In addition to qualifications in Bushcraft and Forest Schools, he has a BSc in Geology from Sheffield University and a PGCE from Bradford College.
Pete still works in Education as a Social and Complex Needs teacher, using his skills to best advantage – working with some very vulnerable children and young people.
Graeme Drever, Director
Graeme was brought up in the Scottish Borders and has always enjoyed “The Great Outdoors”. He was a Patrol Leader in the Scouts, enjoys fishing and took part in The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
Graeme visits Australia/New Zealand every year, where outdoor activities and extreme sports are a way of life and recently did the tree top challenge in Australia.
While doing a degree in computing studies Graeme realised that his main interest was in people and volunteered for Instinctively Wild in 2013. He is now a Level 3 Forest School leader.
Graeme is enjoying the diversity of work as a Director, Project Leader and Volunteer Coordinator. “Working together in natural surroundings makes social interactions much easier and its great to see people get a sense of achievement and a real positive experience.
“Nature has a way of leveling the playing field so no matter what social background you come from, everyone is on the same level.”
Graeme recommends that people volunteer for Instinctively Wild as it has greatly expanded his horizons.
Daru McAleese, Director
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/daru-mcaleece-6b7a9019
Daru joined Instinctively Wild in 2010 when seeking a way to share his knowledge about nature and, in so doing, “hopefully helping to play my own small part in turning the tide of our collective disconnect from nature.”
“I heard about Forest Schools… and wondered if this would be a good approach for me to follow”. However, until seeing an advertisement for Instinctively Wild, Daru did not know how to go about funding Forest School training.
Through the BEES – Volunteer Development Programme, Daru received the full complement of training which included Forest School Level 2 and 3. Daru has used this training on projects varying from children’s activity weeks to eco-therapy with New Horizons and the NHS.
For Daru, “There is no way that I could be doing the work I am doing now without having completed the Forest School Level 2 and 3 training.”
Off-project, Daru has become an integral part of Instinctively Wild. In 2011 Daru successfully applied for a Vodafone World of Difference Grant which he used to conduct research used to secure future funds. Daru was also Instinctively Wild’s Volunteer Coordinator from 2013 to 2015.
“There are so many moments of meaning for me: promoting outdoor learning, helping develop autonomous individuals, offering positive experiences to communities… I feel I cannot describe or grasp them all.” Daru is a fully trained Level 3 Forest School Leader, visual artist and professional storyteller. He is registered with the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s Professional Directory of storytellers, and performs across the UK in many settings for children, families, young people and adults. He also has almost 20 years’ experience in most areas of social care, including autism, learning disabilities, mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction issues, young people and homelessness.
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