Hayley has a wealth of experience as a ‘Qualified Youth and Community Development Worker’ for over 30 years. She draws on many varied experiences, working with individuals, families and groups, across the arts sport, health, wellbeing, care and education systems.
With a background working as an ‘Adolescent Outreach Worker’ a ‘Youth Arts Centre’ manager, ‘Artist craftswoman’ and ‘Outdoor Educator’ her diverse mix of skills and experience weave together to create a unique ability to encourage, inspire and engage people of all ages and abilities, through varied positive learning experiences.
Having worked extensively with people with various disabilities, PMLD, SEND and mental health issues she is acutely aware of the needs, care and attention of differently- abled people. Providing engaging, inclusive opportunities and activities for all.
Hayley is a trained ‘Level 3 Forest School Leader’, an ‘Approved Therapeutic Forest practitioner” and has also undertaken ‘The John Muir’ training to deliver projects. She is in addition a qualified ‘Swimming Teacher’, a ‘Walk leader’, and holds numerous relevant certificates including ‘Leading in Open Country’, ‘Lightweight Camping’ and is a qualified ‘First Aider’. Hayley is a ‘Family Learning’ tutor, ‘Relax Kids’ teacher, & trained ‘Cookery Leader’. She has worked for Children’s services within East Sussex and Hampshire County Council , Children’s Centres and additional organisations in the private and voluntary sector for the last two decades. She tutors bespoke courses regularly in the county.
Hayley has run residential camps and trips in the UK and taken young people abroad on cultural youth exchange visits to Finland.
Throughout her life, she has engaged in nature education and outdoor adventuring and been committed to learn about the natural world. She has a keen awareness and acquired knowledge of plants and wildlife and bushcraft/survival skills.
As an independent practicing ‘Artist Craftswoman’ (BA Hons), she teaches art and craft to children and adults and facilitates ‘experiential’ art sessions at Plashett Park Wood and in the wider community with groups.
Hayley has trained in ‘Play therapy’ including ‘attachment theory’, sand play and work with puppets. In addition she has storytelling skills and has run drama workshops and written and co-directed award-winning ‘Youth Theatre’ stage plays.
She encompasses all the ‘senses’ to create a holistic experience of general wellbeing in her work with people.
Hayley also works with freelance specialist staff and other organisations in partnership to achieve maximum results. She has a strong team of professional practitioners to share their skills and assist at the sessions
The woodland and all of natures beauty is her ‘playing field’, and here she is ‘at home.’
‘Hare’ by Hayley Cox