“ My love of the outdoors actually began in my childhood in the Lake District . I grew up spending time and learning outdoors and I ’ ve always loved it . When I left the RAF , this was a natural progression for me . I started offering courses in 2011 and then formed a limited company in 2013 .”
Vicki , 44 , who lives in Highworth and is also a lecturer at Bath Spa University , found something unexpected happened this year . Demand for her courses has more than tripled .
“ Prior to Covid-19 , I would normally run
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two Forest School courses each year and one Outdoor Leadership Course with up to 12 people on each course . The courses are quite long and intense and are often taken up by teachers .
“ This year something different has happened . Between April and September , I ’ ve run three Forest School courses and five Outdoor Leadership courses . The former all had 16 per course and the latter 25 . I ’ ve had students from Bath Spa seeing it as a positive addition to their CV as they seek employment , more teachers than ever
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wanting to increase their skillset and many people who are wanting to change their careers .
“ I ’ ve also been contacted by numerous schools wanting to implement programmes , now appreciating far more the power of being outdoors for learning and mental health .”
Vicki has had people come to Wiltshire ( she has permission to work on National Trust land ) from Surrey , Wales , Somerset and across the South West . She is now looking forward to offering larger businesses
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team building events around outdoor activities in 2022 .
“ I think it ’ s wonderful and I ’ m very grateful . I ’ ve always known personally that being outdoors aids learning and supports wellbeing . The pandemic has shown how nature is a powerful force for good for everyone and my business is evidence of that .”
For more info : www . brightwoodtraining . com
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He said , “ By being flexible and proactive we were able to achieve our key strategic objectives that have put us in a very strong position as we head into the second half of the 2021 / 2022 financial year and beyond .”
This included opening a new Swindon office at 2 Gateway North ( opposite the David Lloyd Health Club ) which led to a recruitment drive and the company plans to grow its Swindon team even more .
This office was the latest move in a long history as this company can trace its roots
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back to around 1750 and it all started in Devizes . In 2021 the modern company has seven partners , more than 100 staff and five Wiltshire offices .
Tim said , “ At ABD we believe our people are the heart of our business and as a firm we place great value in personal development , team spirit and acknowledging success . I am delighted to be able to say that the recruitment drive in Swindon , and indeed across our four other offices , is set to continue .”
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One new team member is Kelly Rogers , an experienced solicitor who joined to strengthen the firm ’ s litigation department . Kelly worked in London prior to moving to Wiltshire and has significant experience in dispute work and has become known for her ability to provide sensible , practical advice and an empathetic service to clients . |
For more info : www . awdrys . co . uk |
14 www . tbeswindonandwilts . co . uk |