At Living Nature, we believe wellbeing should never be a luxury. It should be part of everyday life — in schools, communities, families, and within ourselves. Yet too often, the spaces where people most need support are the ones where wellbeing is missing, or where the system has failed them.
In the UK today, around 1 in 5 adults (20.2%) live with a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, with rates even higher for young people and those in disadvantaged areas. Levels of anxiety remain high too, with nearly a third of adults (30.6%) reporting “high anxiety” in the last national wellbeing survey. And as many as 7.8% of adults say they feel lonely “always or often.” These are not just numbers — they are neighbours, friends, family members, all showing us that community and connection matter more than ever.
Our work is about filling those gaps gently — not by replacing, but by offering something additional, something nourishing. A different way.
Why We’re Building the Learning Hub
School doesn’t work for every child. Many young people feel out of place in rigid classrooms, their natural spark dimmed by structures that don’t leave room for creativity, movement, or choice.
Research shows that around 1 in 8 children in England (ages 5–19) has a probable mental disorder, and many more are struggling with emotional regulation, stress, or a lack of belonging at school. At the same time, anthropologists studying hunter-gatherer communities find that children thrive when learning is autonomous, play-based, and self-directed. They acquire complex skills through observation, imitation, and experimentation — without pressure or coercion.
This resonates deeply with us at Living Nature. We believe every person, young or old, has the innate capacity to learn when they are trusted and given space to do so. The Living Nature Learning Hub is our step towards an alternative — a community-rooted space where education is led by curiosity, connected to nature, and supported by wellbeing practices.
From Teacher to Mother, Still Learning
As a teacher, I often held memories of children who were deeply dysregulated — throwing chairs, sobbing through writing tasks, or breaking down when expectations felt too heavy. I didn’t always know how to help them then, and often, I didn’t know how to regulate myself either.
Now, as a mother, I am still learning. Still finding ways to calm my own nervous system when overwhelm comes. This journey has shaped Living Nature — it is about creating spaces where children (and adults) feel safe, seen, and supported.
I remember bringing plants into my last classroom. A small act, but it gave children something steady, non-judgemental, always present. A friend they could sit beside when they felt off. We created space for self-expression, welcomed emotions, and began to see change.
The Problem with the Current System
So often, children are expected to fit into systems that don’t fit them. They must sit at tables all day. Ask permission to go to the toilet. Follow a curriculum designed by someone else, with little space for their own unique abilities.
As an adult learner, when I was doing my master’s degree, I had freedom. I could sit cross-legged on the floor, take my shoes off, or choose how I wanted to learn. I wanted to study, and I was trusted to do so. Our children deserve that same sense of ownership, not systems that strip away their natural shine.
Gratitude for What’s Growing
This year, we’ve been welcomed into the Wise Hooves community, working alongside Wise Woods to bring the Learning Hub to life. Together, we are shaping a hub for Living Nature — a space where children, families, and adults can learn, connect, and thrive in ways that feel natural.
We’re also working with schools to bring some of these approaches into classrooms: supporting calmer, more connected communities and offering tools that teachers can use without added pressure.
Living Nature feels different. It feels nourishing, exciting, and organic. Like an acorn becoming an oak, we’re not forcing growth — we’re trusting it. Rooting it deep in community and connection, so it can last for years to come.
Thank you for being part of this journey. For every circle shared, every club run, every tea brewed around the fire — you are helping Living Nature grow.
🌱 With gratitude,
Josie