Hello! My name is Helena MacPhail and I am the Nature Play Pedagogue based within the Central Team. 
I work alongside PEYO Lindsey Thompson, and SEYO Gayle Robinson and we make up The Hub Team based at Woodlands ELCC at Callander Park.
Our vision for The Hub is to create sector leading provision which will impact both on children across Falkirk and the early level workforce, by providing nature play pedagogy and outdoor learning opportunities.
We’re doing this by offering The Hub Programme which consists of both core knowledge and practical sessions. Core sessions cover risk benefit assessment, barriers and solutions and making the most out of your outdoor space. Practical sessions involve camp set up, fire lighting and cooking, and nature pedagogy.
Our main aim at The Hub is to motivate your team to see the value of spending time with children in natural spaces. We also want to build your confidence to facilitate high quality nature play experiences in daily practice, and to provide you with practical experiences to deepen your knowledge of nature play pedagogy.
I am particularly passionate about nature pedagogy and sharing my knowledge on how to deepen children’s awareness of the natural world around them. I value working seasonally, in ‘nature time’ and the slowing down learning this provides for us all.
Our first cohort, based in the East neighbourhood completed The Hub Programme just before Christmas, and we have received applications for our second and third cohorts from the East and Central neighbourhoods. We anticipate contacting the West neighbourhood before the summer with application information.
We also offer outreach support, where we can come to you with practical advice on how to access a local greenspace, how to develop your nature play pedagogy and fire area assessment and practice.
I hope that through reading this blog you have gained some insight into the importance we place on nature play and learning in Falkirk, and how we can support you and your setting to get out into nature!
Please follow us on Twitter @hub_woodlands for updates and information, or email us at WoodlandsHub@falkirk.gov.uk with any questions.
