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Paula Harvey - Founder
Paula has been in childcare for over 12 years, most of which at Archway Children's Centre. During this time, she completed a level 3 advanced Forest School leaders' course, which enabled Paula to become the forest school lead for the centre. Paula and the team delivered fun and educational forest school sessions to a small group of children and introduced family sessions, these sessions proved to be successful. The idea for setting up Urban Forest - now Urban Forest Tribe CIC came from these families and their children; their feedback was extremely positive and gave Paula the foundation to make Urban Forest possible in 2019. Paula has a strong passion for working with children and adults, the great outdoors, and supporting the next generation to develop a keen interest in the natural world. She has seen first-hand the many benefits working outdoors gives children and adults.
Since going freelance in September 2021 and Urban Forest Tribe becoming a Community Interest Company in 2022, Paula has taken the opportunity to collaborate and work alongside other outdoor facilitators, rangers, schools, organisations, charities, and professionals whom all share the same vision of helping make the world we live in a greener, healthier, and wilder place.
Paula is also a London National Park City Ranger.
Charlotte Pearson - Director
I’ve been a qualified teacher for over 20 years, committed to creating stimulating learning environments which prioritise play, creativity, and storytelling. I’m also a Forest School leader and really enjoy providing a safe and nurturing space where learners can freely explore, take risks, be curious, and learn more about the natural world. It’s a wonderful feeling to see someone’s confidence, well-being, and self-esteem grow when they are given these opportunities to really slow down and take time to discover what interests them in the natural world. I have a great deal of experience working with children with a wide range of learning styles and needs, having taught in specialist SEND schools as well as mainstream settings.
Gemma Bruno - Director
Hey, I'm Gemma and I'm thrilled to be part of this awesome team! As a trainee forest school leader, I help Paula with teaching kids about nature and how to connect with it on a deeper level. I'm also a neurodiverse conservationist with a creative perspective on environmental protection. I'm all about promoting inclusivity and diversity in our conservation efforts, and I believe that my perspective helps us achieve that goal.
On top of all that, I'm a digital ninja and I love finding ways to use technology to make our work even better and connect with other nature lovers. I'm excited to be taking on new challenges and making a positive impact on the world.
I am also a London National Park City Ranger.
Claire Hall
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Claire has been working with Paula and the team since spring 2021. "It is so rewarding to see the difference a natural environment provides the children. My own children attend Paula's after school club and as a parent, I see first-hand the positive impact the club has on both their mental and physical health". Claire has worked across early years and KS1 within a local primary school.
Susana Almeida-Fairclough
Susana has worked in childcare for over 10 years as a childminder and within nurseries. "It’s such an amazing feeling seeing the progress children make especially outdoors and knowing you have contributed to that". Whilst working at a local nursery Susana was lucky enough to attend forest school sessions. "It was so heartwarming to see children exploring and learning about the world they live in whilst having fun".
Susana holds a Cache level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education and is currently studying for her BA/BSc (Honours) Open Degree.
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