Outdoor wellbeing workshops in Surrey
Meet Elspeth - connecting you to nature
Forager, ethnobotanist, bushcraft instructor, walking guide, laughter yoga leader, adventurer
MY STORY
From corporate suits to nature enthusiast
The outdoors is where I truly come alive.
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Whether I'm foraging for wild edibles in the hedgerows, singing around a campfire, relaxing in a hammock amongst the trees, or up to my neck in an icy river, the natural world is my sanctuary.
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For too long, this part of me was buried in the busyness of corporate and family life. But after 18 years working in insurance, I realised I needed to make a change.
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I wanted to embrace the practical outdoor skills I'd always deferred to others. I wanted to spend my days helping people feel better through nature and laughter.
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So that's exactly what I did.
Why I do this work
Through Joyful Outdoors, I offer unique experiences that help you step away from the digital world, find joy, and reconnect with lost knowledge of the land.
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Whether you're learning to forage for edible plants, practising bushcraft skills, or building your map-reading confidence, my sessions are designed to help you slow down, be present, and engage meaningfully with the outdoors.
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I've also embraced laughter yoga - an unexpected but life-changing path that reminded me to stay open to new experiences. Combining the therapeutic benefits of nature and shared laughter is now one of my favourite ways to help people reconnect with themselves.
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My mission is to show that joy, laughter, and connection are as important to wellbeing as productivity or achievement.
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In a mad, overstimulating world of AI and general insanity, I offer something real, authentic, and offline.
Qualifications and experience
I hold the following qualifications and memberships.
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Professional memberships
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Member of the Association of Foragers - international community of professional foragers with communal code of conduct
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Member of Surrey Hills Enterprises & awarded Trade Mark Surrey Hills - mark of local provenance, quality and sustainability.
The Award promotes the very best of what Surrey has to offer and celebrates those organisations of high quality that reflect and support the distinct and special nature of the Surrey Hills and who share the values of supporting the local environment.
Relevant qualifications
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Practical Ethnobotany & Plant Identification - Woodcraft School (2023, Level 4 NCFE - 100% Distinction)
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Foundation Course in Herbal Medicine - Heartwood Foundation (2024 - Merit)
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Certified Laughter Yoga Leader (2023)
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Lowland Leader walking guide - Mountain Training (2022)
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Advanced Bushcraft - Woodcraft School (2021, Level 3 NCFE)
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Plant Identification and Use - Woodcraft School (2021, Level 3 NCFE)
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Outdoor First Aid - ELST (2024 & 2021)
Additional training
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Nature Guide training - Dose of Nature (2024)
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University of Derby - Nature Connectedness (2024)
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Focus on Fibres - Mollie McMillen (2024)
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Wildcrafted Fermentation - Pascal Bauder (2024)
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Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees - VETree (2023)
Community work
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Love Her Wild - Community volunteer & Adventure Leader (Dec 2021-present)
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Dose of Nature - Nature guide delivering 8-week programmes as evidence-based alternative to medication for mental health (Oct 2024-present)
What do attendees say about Elspeth?
"Your warmth shone through and your ability to engage and inspire the team was fantastic!" Debbie Welch, Global Warriors
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"You are so in your element. It is so wonderful to see you doing your craft." Tone, Sunday Soul Session
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"Elspeth's offering is unique. As well as teaching you new skills she will also facilitate spending time in nature to open your eyes to the therapeutic benefits this brings." Liz Watson-Lee
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"She is so knowledgeable, inspiring and warm to be around." Sophie Watts, Wild Women in the Woods 2025
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What do they say?
One thing people consistently say is that they feel at ease very quickly. That matters to me. Whether you're walking into a laughter yoga session feeling self-conscious, or joining a woodland day not knowing a soul, I want you to feel genuinely welcome from the moment you arrive.
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That sense of safety is what allows people to let go, try something new, and leave feeling lighter than when they came in.
