About

At EarthCraftuk we have over 15 years experience delivering a variety of nature based programmes including: Forest School Leader Training, Woodland Skills Continued Professional Development Workshops, school visits, youth accredited engagement programmes and experiential Forest School programmes; witnessing first-hand the transformational effects experiences in the natural world can have on the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all participants, and the fulfilling career paths it can often open up for adult participants. 

At a time when we on average spend 90% of our time indoors, our work at Earthcraftuk is driven by the evidenced impact of being in nature. Green spaces promote physical activity, social interaction, exposure to sunlight and reduced pollution, which all boost health in various ways, including reduced levels of stress and anxiety, aided sleep and a feeling of connectedness with the world, and one another. 

We have trained over 400 participants on Forest School qualification programmes; worked with a number of community groups; supported school and youth experiential and accredited programmes and also developed a Campfire Management Award for Kent County Council and now also working with Veterans on our Health & Wellbeing programme called Veteran Trees

We are very grateful to use stunning private woodland owned by the Dawes family of Mount Ephraim Gardens – a philanthropic family who support our mission.

Our Team

Clair Hobson

Clair Hobson is a qualified Adult Education Lecturer and Trainer; Level 3 Forest School Leader and Trainer. Clair has extensive experience in the nationally recognised Forest School qualification training and assessment process, and also comprehensive indicative training content having steered the national working group for the revision of the Open College Network West Midlands Forest School Suite of qualifications which went live in 2018 and have now been adopted by many other awarding organisations. 

Clair was a founding voluntary Board Director of the Forest School Association from 2012-2014. Clair was also the founding Chair back in 2012 of the FSA Kent & Medway local group with the purpose of connecting members of the Forest School Association together who are living and working in Kent & Medway.

Clair speaks regularly at conferences and events on the philosophy and ethos of Forest School across the UK and Europe.  

Scott Woolsgrove

Scott Woolsgrove is a qualified NCFE Advanced Bushcraft Instructor covering Natural History, Bushcraft and Survival Skills, Woodland Crafts, Bushcraft Leadership and Instruction. Scott is also a Level 3 Forest School Leader and Trainer, a GNAS Archery Leader and has further qualifications in Basic Expedition Leadership, Remote Response, Paediatric First Aid and Outdoor Food Hygiene. 

Scott is also an accomplished knife smith, designing and creating handcrafted, bespoke bushcraft knives and also teaches his craft to participants on 1:1 workshops.

Scott leads on our Forest School site consultancy and installations, having transformed many school grounds and woodland settings with stunning rustic and beautiful structures working organically with the setting. Scott holds the NPTC 30 & 31 Chainsaw Operators Certificates.

Sarah Blake
Outdoor Food Safety Trainer

Sarah has extensive knowledge of food safety training, with over 30 years experience. She first began delivering food safety training in 1988! She’s also worked more broadly in the food Industry including the inspection of food premises, food laboratory work and in teaching food technology in schools.

Sarah specialises in ‘Food Safety in the Outdoors’ with a programme she initially developed with Lantra Awards. Sarah offers training for the Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering (Outdoor Emphasis) and has been delivering this programme for EarthCraftuk for the past 6 years.

Scott Smith
Outdoor First Aid Trainer

Scott Smith, formerly a member of the Parachute Regiment and Special Forces Support Group has been teaching outdoor first aid for over 25 years and is a member of the Expedition Care Program faculty of outdoor first aid instructors and HSE approved first aid trainer. Scott owns ADTREX, a small Kent based company providing DofE expedition programmes and adult training to DofE leaders, supporting schools, groups and individuals across Kent and the South East.

Scott is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a fully qualified International Mountain Leader and is the South East of England representative for the British Association of International Mountain Leaders. Scott has lead over 30 international expeditions and many more across the UK as well as completing a number of solo expeditions including a 800 mile crossing of the arctic wilderness of Alaska.