BPhil Hospitality Management, Level 3 Forest School Practitioner, Level 6 Montessori Educator, Certified Forest Bathing guide
Val comes to Forest Bathing with over seven years of experience as a Forest School practitioner. Her experience has been guiding children and adults in forest craft such as knots, shelter building, lighting and extinguishing a fire safely, the skill of weaving willow and hazel, taking Maths, Arts, Science and Technology outside using natural materials.
Forest School/Outdoor Education teaches resilience, increases independence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences. At the heart of it all, is to be respectful to nature, to one another and to the surrounding environment. Val set up a Forest School business in England, after a relocation back to her hometown in West Cork, Val decided to channel her energy in a new venture as Vice Chair of Forest Bathing West Cork.
Following on from a Batchelor of Philosophy in Hospitality Business Management from University of Birmingham whilst living in Birmingham for over 20 years. Previous roles have been in finance recruitment for a FTSE 250 company, business development manager for a big organisation, bar and restaurant manager for a 300 seated premise.
Val is a qualified Montessori Educator which is all interlinked with the ethos of Forest School, where learning is learner led and the process of learning is by small achievable tasks.
Forest Bathing, accredited by Forest Therapy Institute is a natural link with Forest School and Montessori, where Val guides small groups of people to wander gently in a forest or woods, noticing the beauty in nature. Slowing down and simply being in nature, whilst immersing in the senses has a particular effect on the mind and body. Scientific and research studies on Forest Bathing has shown it soothes the nervous senses, slows the brain waves down, immune system is improved and increases creativity. From a social side, it is a beautiful way to connect with others, share thoughts and experiences.