The Nature Effect is a catalyst for personal, professional and community transformation. We offer continuing professional
development and coaching to people and organisations in education and social change. We also offer retreats, weekend
workshops and on-going groups for people wanting to learn, grow, flourish, reflect and reconnect. We collaborate with
communities, schools and various peer groups.
Our ‘golden thread’ is explicit inspiration from the natural world – through nature metaphor, embodied
learning, time spent in the wilds, use of natural materials and creation of outdoor spaces and events.
We have a rich pool of associates skilled in these areas of work who are always cooking up new ideas, and we like to connect
them with like-minded colleagues, practical resources and methodological tools for effective working. We welcome contact
from potential new associates. We are largely based in Oxford City but our Associates work nationally and internationally.
Find out more about our work here
Latest News & Events
Florence Park Children's Centre Update
Over 70 local people collected outside the Florence Park Children's Centre last weekend. We were sad when the centre closed due to cuts, and we are frustrated that it remains closed to the community despite our best attempts to work with the City and County Council to find ways create something wonderful in its place. Many of the Nature Effect Associates live and work around this area. We worked with families when the centre was still open - focussing on developing the outdoors, mental health and wellbeing and connection to the beautiful park surroundings. The Nature Effect has twice put in bids to the County Council to take on the running of the centre - creating an Oasis where busy and stressed families and can eat, play, work and learn together. We want to include a children's nursery, an open access drop in space, a healthy cafe, a place for crafts as well as office space for community group and individuals. So far our bids have been 'deferred' and we are now supporting local charity Aspire http://www.aspireoxford.co.uk to take up the baton, and help us incubate a centre that is locally run and managed for the benefit of the whole community. We hope we may still realize our vision. If you would like to support this venture please email us, talk to your local councillor and sign this petition https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/support-the-proposal-for-the-oasis-at-florence-park-children-s-centre?bucket&source=facebook-share-button&time=1492617571
Action Learning Set Oxfordshire Women Leaders in Education, Arts and Sustainability
Annie recently facilitated a session at the wonderful She is Sustainable event with the City Council at the ECI Oxford University last month. She also works with groups of Headteachers and Social Entrepreneurs. Inspired by the transformational potential of this way of working, she is delighted to be working with Emmy of Ark T centre to offer a set for Oxford Women Leaders in Education, Arts and Sustainability.
For more info about the taster session on June 5th and booking details see here
A Sense of Place Being, Becoming and Belonging in the Early Years
We are really pleased to let you know about our latest publication. A Sense of Place - companionable adventures outdoors. It is the product of a project sponsored by the Oxfordshire Parenting Forum (OPF) and explores how a range of grandparents feel about their role and taking their children out in nature. You can get a free copy of the publication by going to this link: http://eepurl.com/KYdWn.
We are continuing to offer seminars and share the film made with Zoe Broughton about a project on the same theme of connecting with
children with Nature with a range of audiences. Much of it based on a project with practitioners and parents from Blackbird Leys Children's Centre last year. The framework and models of this work are being developed with colleagues nationally and internationally. The next seminar will be through Early Education on May 17th.
