Who are we?
W.I.L.D. is a community interest company that has been created out of our love of nature and the desire to share this passion with local communities.
W.I.L.D. was founded by Gill Sisson and Linda Brown. We live in Glasgow and have one of the most beautiful and undiscovered parks on our doorstep to use, Linn Park Local Nature Reserve, a grand title which is fully deserved!
As Forest School Practitioners we can teach skills to anyone who comes to our sessions, focusing on how the park can be used for their own benefit and in turn how we can benefit nature. We inspire local people to use the park more, learn how they can conserve it, whilst connecting with nature and each other.
We work with Friends of Linn Park (see Love Linn Park on Facebook) and the South Area Countryside Ranger for the City Council who both work tirelessly in aiding this wonderful Local Nature Reserve. W.I.L.D. is also registered as a Local Area Improvement Volunteer Group with Glasgow City Council Environmental Task Force.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a long term learning process that offers all participants regular opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment. lt takes place throughout the year, encompassing the changing seasons.
Sessions are led by qualified Forest School leaders, who support opportunities to play, explore and take supported risks in nature.
Forest School promotes well-being through all layers of holistic development. Physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional, social, and the connection to nature. It is a learner centred process, and sessions are tailored to each individuals needs, interests and inspirations. Leaders observe, reflect, and plan the programmes, being flexible in their approach each week.
Forest school provides opportunity for supported risk taking, appropriate to an individuals development stage. Following risk/benefit assessment processes. Developing skills, and finding solutions, building creativity in thinking, resilience and independence. And it's a whole lot of fun!
Where are we?
The majority of W.I.L.D.s sessions run in Linn Park Local Nature Reserve and surrounding communities, but we work right across the central belt.
Linn Park is 6km south of the centre of Glasgow, and is the second largest park in the city. It is bounded by the communities of Castlemilk, Simshill, Croftfoot, Cathcart, Muirend and Netherlee. Linn combines with other neighbouring greenspaces, such as Cart and Kittoch SSSI, Castlemilk Woodlands and Cathkin Braes, to form an extensive green corridor.
The diversity of wildlife, habitat and plant life within the park is truly outstanding in its urban city location. We feel incredibly fortunate to get to work in such beautiful woodland.
W.I.L.D. will always work to further the aims and vision of Linn Park Local Nature Reserve.
Meet the team
Gill Sisson
Gill is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader. She also holds a SVQ 4 Social Services (Children and Young People) @ SCQF Level 9 qualification along with a Level 3 Diploma for The Children and Young People’s Workforce.
Linda Brown
Linda is a qualified Forest School Leader with a Level 8 Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA). She holds an SVQ in Playwork SCQF Level 7 and a BA (Hons) 3D Design and Craft.
Fiona Morton
Fiona is a qualified Forest School Leader with a Level 8 Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA). She also holds a BSc.Biology and a Grad.I.Biol in Ecology and Animal Behaviour.
Fee (Fiona) Templeton
Fee is a qualified Forest School Leader with a Level 8 Forest and Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA). She holds a PGdip in Child and Youth Care Studies, BA Community Arts and PDA in Youth Work and is a member of the CLD Standards Council.
All practitioners are registered with the PVG scheme, are members of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) & hold Outdoor First Aid, & Food handling qualifications.