Our Story
Choose Nature CIC (TA Badger Forest School) has evolved from its roots as a freelance Forest School established in Cornwall in 2013 by Claire Lefevre, to a merged, sustainable, and community-focused non-profit organisation.
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 and establishing a site at Cardinham Woods, near Bodmin.
Working with many local families, schools, charities and organisations; Badger Forest School has been a respected, pioneering and award-winning outdoor learning business.
Forming a Community Interest Company (CIC)…
A proud mum of a beautiful child who has a range of additional needs, Claire discovered first hand the problems faced by local families. She was inspired by the desire to overcome some of the inclusivity and accessibility issues surrounding educational and therapeutic support provisions.
In 2021, Choose Nature CIC was formed.
The Higher Wheal Martyn site, near St Austell, was acquired and began to be restored, renovated and developed - starting to provide Claire’s family and others with safe, sustainable and inclusive access to outdoor learning and therapeutic support.
The next chapter…
Since merging the original Badger Forest School and Choose Nature CIC in September 2023, the organisation has built on over a decade of experience delivering outdoor learning, therapeutic nature experiences, and support for vulnerable children and families in Cornwall.
We proudly have our two main sites, as well as continuing to build working relationships in other locations and with other organisations.
With community support, fundraising efforts, and consistently striving to be the best we can be, we are looking forward to the future where the outdoors and benefits of nature can truly be for all.
Take a tour of Badger Forest School…
Our Mission
To inspire lifelong learning, support connections to nature and strengthen communities
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 are helping to 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.
Izzey is also a qualified counsellor - Golowhe Therapy - offering bespoke counselling, walk and talk therapy, and ecotherapy sessions.
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.
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 relocated to Cornwall 7 years ago after a 35 year retail career working for a number of different companies, such as M&S, Fortnum & Mason, Tesco & Dobbies Garden Centres, based throughout the UK, Europe & Middle East experiencing the many different commercial, cultural, operational & people opportunities this offered.
Tim is now semi-retired, enjoying sharing & spending quality time with his daughter, Poppy & watching her grow up in the beautiful location that Cornwall is.
Poppy has been attending Badgers Forest School for over 5 years, joining every holiday session, where she thoroughly enjoys the opportunity, experiences & benefits that Claire & the team offer, allowing Poppy to develop her confidence, interaction, imagination & just getting ‘wet & muddy’, as any child does as part of their childhood.
When the opportunity arose to join the Board of Directors Team, because of how much Poppy has benefitted & enjoyed her time with Choose Nature, Tim wanted to support by volunteering, plus using his commercial knowledge & experiences to encourage & help the business grow benefiting the local community & many children within.
Our Coordinators
Claire also has two Coordinators to further support our projects, programmes and delivery.
Kym McGrath
- Nurture Programme Coordinator
Kym has been delivering group and individual sessions for Badger Forest School since 2016, having worked with Claire from 2013 to create sessions for home educating families. She now works as the Coordinator for our Nurture Programme, which supports the development and well-being of individual young people facing a range of challenges.
Kym has an ever-developing knowledge and understanding of children’s development and mental health, and extensive experience working with children across a range of provisions, and she brings these things to her roles within the organisation.
In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the wilds of Cornwall and the world with her three children.
Interested schools and organisations can email: nurture@badgerforestschool.co.uk
Joanna Arvour
- Community Engagement Coordinator
Jo has been part of our community for about 10 years! She joined our team officially in 2024 as our Community Engagement Coordinator. Her focus is to develop our community links enabling more people to access our varied activities and opportunities. Bringing people together to improve wellbeing and make the community a better place to live.
Jo says " it’s great to be back doing something I love, helping to create little bits of magic and harnessing the power of the community for the greater good"
Jo previously worked at Cornwall Wildlife Trust as Community Engagement officer for the marine team and Volunteer and Events Coordinator for Wildlife Watch. Prior to this she worked as a Play Therapist for 3- 16 year olds in schools and private practice.
Jo has a passion for Cornwall, nature and dark chocolate!
Interested in community events or volunteering? Do get in touch: badgercommunity1@outlook.com
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 are currently looking for one more director to join us - specifically with lived or firsthand experience of disability and/or SEND community. Could this be you? Contact us to find out more and how you can make a difference to the individuals in our community. Thank you.