Our Story
Badger Forest School was established in 2013 by Claire Lefevre. Based at Cardinham Woods and a learning partner of Forestry England, Forest School and outdoor learning was introduced to a number of local schools and families.
Choose Nature CIC was then created in January 2021 with the intention to be a non-profit organisation. Reaching out to vulnerable children and families and continuing to support our Cornish community.
In the beginning there was Claire…
Having left career as a primary school teacher in mainstream education after 13 years, Claire went on to form Badger Forest School. Claire passionately believes in; connecting people with nature and each other to build a better future. Understanding the need for a holistic and nurturing environment to build self esteem, confidence and well being was always and still is the driving force. Claire reacted quickly to the growing need for giving people positive experiences in nature and established trusted relationships with other organisations, including being in a learning partnership with Forestry England.
We strive to provide children with experiences that encourage confidence, self esteem, independence and ready to take part in lifelong learning. This is done through small achievable tasks and developed over regular sessions. We strongly promote appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment throughout the seasons, using all their senses, learning to respect and care for the environment.
We are passionate about hands on learning, giving time to explore, experiment, take risks, work as a team, taking part in team challenges as well as individual. We allow time for children to take part in child-initiated play and learning to encourage decision making and promote positive wellbeing.
We play games to teach children to understand boundaries and set standards of behaviour, to work cooperatively in groups and to respect each other. We encourage positive relationships between all participants, modelling positive reinforcement, praise and feedback.
Badger Forest School is now an award-winning and respected local business working with many local families, schools, charities and businesses.
Forming Choose Nature CIC
Claire is inspired by the desire to overcome some of the inclusivity and accessibility issues surrounding educational and therapeutic support provisions. A proud mum of a beautiful child who has a range of additional needs, she discovered first hand the problems faced by local families.
Passionate and dedicated to providing her and others with safe, sustainable and inclusive access to outdoor learning and therapeutic support. Claire is perfectly placed to continue building Choose Nature and its links to the community.
Our Vision
To allow everyone the opportunity to connect with nature and their community.
Our Values
Respect ourselves, each other and the environment.
Promoting compassion and empathy with ourselves, each other and the environment.
Care, protect and encourage responsibility of our natural world.
Our Board of Directors
Alongside Claire we have a board of directors that help bring Choose Nature CIC’s Vision to life.
James O’Sullivan
James is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience working with many different business owners across a wide variety of different industries and sectors. He set up his own sole practitioner firm in 2015 and enjoys the flexibility this gives him to have a better work/life balance, whilst still providing a high level of service to his clients.
James has worked with Claire and Badger Forest School since its inception in 2013 and was very pleased to join the board of Directors at Choose Nature CIC in 2021. He is passionate about the countryside and the physical, mental and emotional benefits that spending time outdoors brings, and is proud to be involved with this important work.
Ysella Wood
Ysella (also known as Izzey) has been integral to the development of Badger Forest School since it established all those moons ago! From being a volunteer, to leading groups and sessions, she is now thrilled to now be an Executive Director of the CIC. You can find her leading Holiday Clubs, parties, family events and private sessions; overseeing our fabulous volunteers and mentoring our team; whilst on a more strategic level, coordinating site development projects and writing funding bids.
She is also a qualified counsellor (Golowhe Therapy - www.golowhetherapy.co.uk). She enjoys walks with her dog and exploring new places, listening to birdsong, and being outdoors in all seasons - be it on the beach or in the garden.
She looks forward to meeting you all in nature soon! Or you can get in touch via hello@choose-nature.co.uk
Kate O’Sullivan
Kate is a qualified Life Coach and is also the owner and joint managing director of communications agency, ADPR. With over 20 years’ experience, Kate is passionate about helping businesses and individuals to grow and succeed through the power of communications and has worked alongside many different companies ranging from global organisations through to SMEs, start-ups and charities.
Under Kate’s ownership, ADPR has won multiple industry awards including Outstanding Small PR Consultancy, Best Consumer Relations Campaign, Best Arts, Culture or Sports Campaign and Best Apprenticeship Employer. She was also named in South West Business Insider’s prestigious 42 Under 42 feature showcasing the region’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs under 42 years of age. Kate lives in rural Somerset with her husband, daughter and two dogs, and is passionate about the benefits of being in nature. www.adpr.co.uk
Ellie McEwan
Ellie is a Forest School Leader with a background in Early Childhood Care and Education, Montessori Pedagogy, Local Authority support for Early Years and Ofsted Early Years Inspection management.
Ellie’s involvement in Badger Forest School started in 2015 when she started bringing her daughters to Badger Cubs sessions. In 2017 she started her training as a Forest School Leader and worked for Badger Forest School until she left to go home to Ireland in early 2023. Ellie had become an integral part of the team, co-ordinating the Nurture Program as well as leading sessions for children in the program.
Ellie now lives in Co Mayo, Ireland close to where she first developed her love of the outdoors. She has established her own Forest School on her own land, outreaching to primary schools through the Irish Heritage Council. Ellie also volunteers on the Irish Forest School Association ACORN Committee.
Ellie continues to support Badger Forest school through her advisory support to the team and strategic decisions.
Tim Fisher
Tim is our newest director and we look forward to sharing more information with you soon!
We are looking for one more director to join us - specifically with lived or firsthand experience of disability and/or SEND community.
Email us to find out more!
Where Next
Our aim hasn’t changed. Our passion hasn’t dampened. In fact, with the challenges of the last few years the need for our services has only increased and we will do our absolute best to ensure we are able to help as many individuals and families as we can.
We will continue to build and strengthen ties with the community, including with our volunteer community sessions, open days and collaborative events.