Hi, here you can find details about what I do – if anything interests you, feel free to drop me a message

Outdoors

In nature – environmental walks & explore, stories, outdoor play & skills

I work with many people in nature, from simple story walks – seeing what we can discover on route, enhanced by stories and song, or being in a place to settle in and play, make fire, cook, whittle, find, create pattern, watch spiders scuttle and hear birds sing.

I can work with individual groups, schools, young in age or those who want to be more young at heart. Come and be in the green.

In schools – curricular-themed, season-appropriate outdoor activities for all ages

I mainly work in the school environment, providing themed outdoor activities which can be from 1 hour to all day sessions.

Middleton Park P7’s were inspired to create their own space tales, using findings from the wood: Middleton Park – Space Stories

School inservice days – fun, hands-on training to support staff to enhance their outdoor activities

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Woodside Primary staff enjoyed an in-service day of fun, exploring the local outdoors; their comments said it all…

Fun to be childlike… Explore yourself, freedom… Embrace nature – colours, light, wild, beautiful. Quiet, peaceful, safe, relaxing… New experience… Wilderness factor, fresh air. Teachers, PSA’s, nursery staff – all together… A willingness to work together, share ideas, teamwork/building… Enthusiasm, inspiration, fun, reduced fear, confidence

 And now… Eager to get outdoors with our children… Not so scary to take kids out of nursery as we have explored the area ourselves… How important outdoors is in enriching children’s learning

The outdoors provides so much: Linked to all areas of the curriculum… Useful activities to adapt to topic – ideas for games, activities How much learning opportunities are in one area… New knowledge and skills of using the outdoors to facilitate learning… Learned about nature.

Storytelling – telling a tale from eye to heart

Stories are everywhere, in the lines of a face, in a tumbled down home, in the shape of a cloud or sweet bird song.

Storytelling sessions – a warm circle of interactive sharing for youngsters, families, adults or all ages

Story topic projects – Scottish traditional, the natural world, environmental care – eg sustainability, climate care, historical, science

Storytelling training/creative writing/performance skills These can be live or on zoom sessions

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Apparently I’ve been telling tales since I was three and have never really stopped!

I’m happy telling to anyone who wants to be part of a story circle, from those who are barely walking to folk who prefer a seat! School groups – special needs included, teens, adults, prisons, libraries, it can be anywhere, indoors or outdoors.

I’m a member of the Scottish Storytelling Directory, http://www.tracscotland.org and am happy to travel to you! I am also involved locally with the university and local tellers.

I’ve worked in literacies project for many years, creating stories, projects, videos to support people to engage in history, their environment and their community in lively colourful ways. Here’s a film created over lockdown: https://youtu.be/0d9gedbkhMA

If you’re more interested in creative writing or performance skills, I’m happy to work with individuals or groups to support you onward.

Singing the song

In everyone there’s music and rhythm, but sometimes it’s trapped. What a wonderful feeling to be released to sing and enjoy music, especially with others. I love to sing Scottish traditional-style songs, as well as a few of my own!

Singing sessions – I support folk of all ages and in different settings to discover the fun and joy of singing. These can be live or on zoom sessions Singing performances – am happy to sing at ceilidhs, celebrations, events, festivals – a wee sang and a tale, unaccompanied or with clarsach – both live or zoom

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 Before lockdown I ran a regular ‘Sing for Fun’ group near Alford, where folk came together for enjoyment and in the process gained new skills and confidence and made new friends. Here’s hoping we can meet again…

If you’re interested in singing or playing music with others, check out Aberdeen’s Scottish Culture & Traditions online at: http://www.scottishculture.org/

Within education, songs can introduce, enhance and reinforce your topic – find a few examples of songs that are easy to adapt depending on what area you’re covering here

Felting

Felting workshops – for children or adults indoors or outdoors. Size of group to be determined on age group

Over the last while, I’ve come to love felting – both needle and wet-felting, needle felting is especially relaxing – tiny items to large, creatures, birds, bags, phone & spec cases… sooo much is possible! I’m excited and delighted that very soon I’ll be opening my own felt-shop, but meantime, if you’d like anything made, please get in touch below

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Coaching – your story heard

Coaching sessions – up to 6 sessions are recommended Performance/interview skills – 2 sessions recommended Please get in touch to discuss.

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My main reason for becoming a coach is because people’s stories are important to me. Coaching’s a way to help you achieve what you want, whether it is confidence building or support to reflect on your journey – personal or professional.

I’ve received coaching myself; in a world of rush and next thoughts, it’s a gift to have someone be in your space with you, hearing you and giving room for you to find where you’re at and where you want to go next.

As a storyteller, I can also support you with presentation, interview or performance skills, helping you work to your strengths and find ways to develop your confidence in other areas.