Thomas Humphreys

Experience

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  University of Portsmouth Students' Union

  Sept 2007 - Aug 2010

  VIP Volunteer

  Throughout my higher academic career, I devoted a large amount of free time to take part in various environmental initiatives with the University of Portsmouth Student Union principally the VIP scheme which engaged both students and the local community to positively conserve green spaces. I was a key team member for an urban gardening project, and represented the University on several outreach exercises including primary school visits.

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  The Conservation Volunteers

  Mar 2011 - Feb 2012

  Volunteer Officer

  I aided in the organisation and leadership of the Action for Croydon’s Environment (ACE) volunteer group and assisted the Community Project Officer in developing marketing and promotional fund raising, during which time I was encouraged to attend many environmental conservation and ecology training courses. Conservation tasks that I oversaw included step/bridge/fence/drain building and maintenance, hazel woodland coppicing, shrub and brush clearance, and heathland restoration. In addition to the ACE team I also managed corporate teambuilding days, young and adult offenders, claimants of Job Seekers Allowance, as well as Duke of Edinburgh students. Skills include practical hands-on experience in both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ environmental conservation tasks, as well as hand tool use and maintenance as well as considerate instruction to untrained volunteers; client liaison in contacting the relevant authority to organise site visits; leading a diverse group of volunteers of different skill sets and age ranges, including helping those with special requirements or vulnerabilities to best enjoy their time devoted to volunteering; and Risk Assessment writing and on-site adherence to Health and Safety standards at all times Show less

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  London Wildlife Trust

  Nov 2011 - Jul 2012

  Volunteer Warden

  I was approached by London Wildlife Trust, and offered the post of Volunteer Warden for Hutchinson's Bank. By virtue of both my leadership experiences with the local volunteering community and my skills and training in practical conservation land management, I acted as somewhat of an intermediary between the dedicated local volunteer group and the London Wildlife Trust. In this role I was expected to attend several training exercises based largely at Camley Street Natural Park, and transfer my learned skills to the local volunteer group. I also brought observations and proposals raised by the local volunteer group to the attention of London Wildlife Trust. In addition to this, I was an active and hands-on volunteer and took pleasure being part of the From Thorn to Orchid initiative. Show less

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  CM Fundraising

  Dec 2011 - Jul 2012

  Membership Recruiter

  I represented the Wildlife Trust at a variety of pre-booked publicity events such as countryside heritage fairs, in which I proactively engaged members of the public in order to facilitate new memberships and discuss the important work of the Wildlife Trust in protecting the green spaces of London and Surrey. Skills include the maintenance of a strong knowledge-base of popular environmental news and legislation, as well as localised initiatives of committed volunteer groups and wardens in order to best educate and inform enquirers. I also kept myself motivated throughout long hours of lone working. Show less

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  Croydon Council

  Jan 2012 - Jul 2012

  Forest Project Support Worker

  Working as part of Croydon Council's Integrated Youth Support Service (IYSS), the Forest Project focuses on offering children from an urban environment the chance to explore safe and exciting woodlands across the borough and into rural Surrey under the guidance of enthusiastic and trained outdoor professionals. As a Support Worker in our small staff team, I proactively coached young people from a variety of backgrounds, needs and ethnicities to enjoy their time outdoors and transferred valuable practical and social skills. Show less

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  Sayers Croft Field Centre

  Jul 2012 - Feb 2014

  Outdoor Instructor

  As a residential outdoor instructor at a respected Field Centre based in Surrey, I led a variety of adventure sessions including archery, climbing, ropes, rafting, and orienteering, in addition to outdoor academic study including pond dipping, bug hunts, natural art, and earthwalks. To ensure that my varied groups received the best possible experience during their visit, I liaised with the booking leader to plan visits and act as a dedicated host throughout their stay. Satisfied groups have included Westminster schools, Scout Groups and Girl Guides, foreign national students, John Muir and Duke of Edinburgh Award students. I featured in a short promotional film on the Choice.FM website alongside the Police Cadets of the Kensington Chelsea area which promoted youth enterprise in the outdoor environment.One major responsibility that I took charge of at Sayers Croft was the upkeep and development of the Challenge Course which offers groups an opportunity to improve their teamwork skills by managing resources, appreciating peer skill, and employing empathy to succeed as a group rather than at an individual level. Towards the end of 2012, I was able to secure a greatly increased budget to accomplish a massive overhaul of the Challenge Course in response to feedback forms from visiting groups, instructor use, and my own observations of the session and equipment. I realised that substituting wooden elements for recycled plastic relieves ongoing expenditure in the form of purchasing new wooden planks and stumps, and the material itself is significantly lighter which improves the inclusivity of the session.I have maintained an ongoing relationship with Sayers Croft by becoming a freelancer. in the second half of 2014, I was involved in the successful delivery of the first wave of an enterprising programme of Forest School sessions on behalf of Westminster City Council at Paddington Recreation Ground in Central London. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Show less

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  Wild Learning

  Jul 2012 - Jan 2015

  Site Leader

  Wild Learning provides quality outdoor education and adventurous play sessions using the Forest School approach to children across Surrey and London.In my headhunted role as Site Leader, I delivered outdoor sessions and managed staff at a variety of vibrant locations owned by the National Trust, Forestry Commission, and County and Borough Councils.In addition to liaising with landowners to ensure a sustained positive relationship, I provided training opportunities to Wild Learning staff members and volunteers at cluster events across the South East. Show less

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  London Wildlife Trust

  Oct 2013 - Feb 2014

  Environmental Educator

  London Wildlife Trust is the only charity dedicated solely to protecting the capital's wildlife and wild spaces, and manages over 40 nature reserves in Greater London.In my freelance role as Environmental Educator I was based at the Centre for Wildlife Gardening in East Dulwich, from which I led environmental education, sustainability, and ecological awareness sessions with visiting school groups.We hosted an ITV Tonight segment in November 2013 entitled 'Too Young For Technology?' which discussed the impact of gadgets and computers on the development of young people in the London area.In addition to sessions in Dulwich, projects across London included a parade through boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich to celebrate the Green Chain initiative Show less

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  Allnatt Chatsworth Centre

  Feb 2014 - Aug 2014

  Field Studies Tutor

  The Chatsworth Centre, owned by the Allnatt Group, offers a wide range of outdoor education programmes and adventurous activities located in Swanage, Dorset.Situated on the Jurassic Coast, a short walk away from internationally famous sites such as Studland Bay, Lulworth Cove, and Old Harry’s Rock, I delivered a range of Field Studies programmes to a variety of client groups.In addition to my role at the Chatsworth Centre, I led ‘Under Canvas’ programmes for the Allnatt Group that saw me travel to deliver outdoor education sessions on school grounds across the United Kingdom. Show less

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  Skern

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2024

  Skern Lodge offers a wide range of outdoor education programmes, adventurous activities, and training events from our residential centre located on the North Coast of Devon.Situated in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, I lead the provision of Field Studies for GCSE and A Level students to complete the Geography fieldwork component necessitated by AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and Eduqas.In addition to interpreting the updated September 2016 specifications and delivering quality fieldwork opportunities to a broad range of client groups, I manage the Field Studies equipment store and ensure that all apparatus is maintained to a high standard.It is my responsibility to positively engage with new schools and seek out fresh avenues of business for the department, as well as adapt existing programmes to fulfill new demands by current clients who already enjoy a successful relationship with Skern Lodge.To supplement my role as Lead Tutor in Field Studies, I also Instruct in a range of adventure and outdoor education sessions and corporate teambuilding exercises as well as provide Duty cover for clients staying residentially on-site.I maintain a national practitioner profile by representing Skern Lodge at key conferences, regional workshops, and local teachmeet events as well as contributing to industry publications and decision making. Show less

  • Deputy Centre Manager

    Jan 2022 - Jun 2024

  • Lead Field Studies Tutor

    Jan 2015 - Dec 2021
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  Institute for Outdoor Learning

  Nov 2016 - Jun 2024

  The Field Studies Professional Practice Group is made up of members who are engaged in, or have an interest in delivering study led programmes in Field Studies or Environmental Education. Many members are based at residential centres, but we also have members who organise day visits either at private venues or work in partnership with other organisations. Both Fieldwork and Environmental Education are long established ‘branches’ of outdoor learning and members have a wealth of experience to share.Our main aims are to be the specialist voice of Field Studies and Environmental Education; to ensure this voice is not lost. To share good practice among organisations and practitioners and aid the personal/ professional development of all those working in Field Studies and Environmental Education. To promote Field Studies and Environmental Education both regionally and nationally, using all the contacts and resources at our disposal. Show less

  • Chairman - Field Studies PPG

    May 2023 - Jun 2024

  • Committee - Field Studies PPG

    Nov 2016 - May 2023
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  North Devon UNESCO Biosphere

  Mar 2022 - Jul 2023

  Steering Group - Pledge for Nature

  Pledge for Nature was a campaign with aims to galvanise community action for nature’s recovery across the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere and beyond.The Pledge for Nature project has now come to an end. Over three and a half years the project has successfully surpassed many of its targets with over 1300 online pledges and involving over 5000 people.We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has made their Pledge and supported the project during its time. This project would not have been possible without the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a successful Crowdfunder that raised over £11,000. Show less

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  One Atlantic

  May 2023 - Apr 2025

  Chairman

  One Northern Devon is a partnership of organisations that recognise that unfair and avoidable differences in social, economic and environmental conditions affect the opportunities people have to lead healthy and happy lives. One Atlantic is a community forum made up of private, public and voluntary sectors covering Bideford and the surrounding areas including Appledore, Northam and Westward Ho! We are a partnership that work together to support our local community’s health and wellbeing.

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  North Devon Coast National Landscape

  Oct 2023 - now

  Steering Group - Finding Nature's Footprints

  Finding Nature’s Footprints is a three-year National Lottery Heritage Funded project working with communities to survey, map and take action for the fantastic wildlife of the North Devon Coast National Landscape. This information will be used to support action by communities, volunteers, landowners and local agencies to develop community-led nature recovery plans and take action for nature improvement.

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  Network of Environmental Educators in Devon (NEED)

  Nov 2023 - now

  The Network of Environmental Educators in Devon (NEED) is a large and diverse network of outdoor practitioners from local government, schools, further and higher education institutions, NGOs, CICs, businesses, and local communities united by a shared commitment to developing environmental awareness, stewardship and learning for sustainability within the formal and informal education sectors.

  • Chairman

    Sept 2024 - now

  • Steering Group

    Nov 2023 - Sept 2024
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  North Devon UNESCO Biosphere

  Jun 2024 - now

  Biosphere Communities Project Manager

  The ‘Biosphere Communities’ project is set to empower folk in North Devon and Torridge to become champions for nature’s recovery in their local area and sustainably deliver some solutions to the shared environmental and social challenges faced across our communities.