Guided By Nature is run by me, Caroline Schofield, an artist, eco-psychology practitioner and eco-therapist.

I offer workshops in Creativity, Nature and Wellbeing for groups, plus specialised workshops for people who want to learn about making ecological art. These workshops include using inks and paints made from plants and earth pigments. I teach people how to respond to the natural world rather than attempt  to copy what they see, and learn how to make and use sustainable art materials from earth and plants found in the local environment. I work in north wales and the north west of England. 

My work stems from a deep love of the natural world, fuelled by passion, purpose and a desire to be of service to life, people and planet. In 2022 I qualified as an eco-psychology and nature-based practitioner over three years with the Natural Academy. I now co facilitate eco-psychology training in the north of England.

Eco-Psychology brings together psychology and ecology, focusing on the emotional relationship between humans and our wider ecological world. It sees human wellbeing and the restoration of our eco-systems as fundamentally intertwined and of equal importance.  

I have over 20 years’ experience working in the mental health sector, as an arts facilitator and within education. My own arts practice uses natural pigment as away to connect with place and more than human life.

 

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A record of my 30 days during this January of greeting the dawn each morning from Y Garth on the edge of the Carneddau.
A glorious day yesterday delivering the community NatureWell day at the end of the online nature and wellbeing course. Lots of connections to blue spaces and the nourishment they provide.
Falling for February - Planting seeds in February while snow is still on mountains... Gobaith ac Ymddiriedaeth/ Hope and trust. Invested in four new raised beds for growing my own art materials. No, to liquid plastic paint, thank you very much! Growing dye plants boosts biodiversity by providing habitats and food for beneficial insects and pollinators, while enhancing soil health through regenerative practices. Supporting, rather than depleting the ecosystem. If nature is our muse we need to be reciprocating not exploiting. Regenerative arts materials! Falling in love with February - Day 16
Creating with Earth Pigments is so special. It's a visceral feeling of such depth, beauty and connection. I am so looking forward to supporting people to discover the power of working with Earth Pigment at Mulranny Arts in March. We will find, process and make our own wild paint and sustainable art materials in this stunning location, set in the unique geology of Clew bay. Contact Mulranny Arts for more info and to boo. @carysanne_art
Falling for February - in order to flower a bulb must split open and push a whole new part of itself upward. In this short time everything below the surface expresses itself before dying back again into unseen processes and apparent dormancy. Creativity feels like this, unconscious fragments trying to come together.and express themselves into something that makes sense maybe something beautiful, it doesn't always feel like a smooth process for me. Time to keep pushing slowly up and out at this time of year I guess. It's quite something to think how this little bulb can grow, isn't it? Falling in love with February - day 15.
Falling for February - Y Garth is 400 m above sea level, from here we look out to the snowy tops of Yr Elen and Carnedd Llewellyn, who are 900 and 1000 metres. Today I went back to visit Y Ddraenen Wen, Hawthorn. Her weathered torso is as eye catching as is her trunk bending sharply to the North. She seems both vulnerable and resilient. It still feels very wintery here. I can't say that I am actually falling in love with February yet but I am learning some patience and appreciating the odd dry day at least. Falling in love with February - Day 15.
Would you like to develop a career offering nature and wellbeing activities or eco therapy? I am delighted to be co-facilitating on the first eco psychology course up north! This is very much for people wanting a professional, high quality introduction to find out more about how eco psychology can be applied vocationally to deliver work supporting people in nature. It will be a three day immersive experience on a beautiful private off grid site in the Forest of Bowland. Easily accessible for those in the North of England, North Wales and Southern Scotland.
Falling for February - we might call it fickle February, one minute it feels like spring the next we are back to Winter! But nature is all around us and we don't need to climb a mountain or sometimes even go outdoors to connect with nature. On Saturday I ran the first of three sessions at Porthi Dre and we bought nature indoors. Making inks from plant materials and getting our eco prints ready with leaves I dried years ago, they will still give us a print! It was a lovely enthusiastic group and I am looking forward to seeing what we create together. This kind of activity is great for people who love nature but may struggle to get out due to illness or limited mobility or maybe it's just toooooo February to want to venture too far yet! Falling in love with February - Day 14.
Falling in Love with February: Day 12. Today it felt like the wheel of the year is slowly turning towards lighter days and the growing season. I have been overwintering Madder, Woad and Weld and they had a little trip out of the green house this afternoon to start hardening off. These three plants were historically used as the primary sources for red, blue, and yellow, and can be often used in combination to produce other colors. This is illustrated in the pic from the brilliant @old_mill_arts . Growing your own colour is a great way to remain in touch with the cycles of the year, compared to buying synthetic art materials this is a much more reciprocal practice which supports pollinators and biodiversity. 💚 In Cymraeg/ Welsh perhaps? Madder: Gwraidd coch (red root) Woad llsieuyn y lliw ( the herb of colour) Weld Llysiau melyn (yellow herb/weed)
Falling for February - the most incredible thing happened this morning, I saw a big burning ball in the sky, so hot I could feel the heat on my face! Passers-by stopped and mentioned this miracle to me, it seemed to make them all happy and smiley. I think the Welsh call him 'Yr Haul' Did you see him too ? ☀️ Falling in love with February - Day 11.
Falling for February - have to admit to miserably failing my quest this morning! It was a dismal start but decided to go to Aberlleinog beach anyway. I took this picture as I stared unenthusiastically out of the car window. Managed about fifteen minutes in the utter grimness before I got so cold and wet and fed up that I came straight home and put a fire in! I guess sometimes it's just good to recognise one's limitations! I have no idea what the word is for 'Grim' in Welsh 🤔 I just have 'Mae hi'n ddiflas', meaning the weather is miserable. Falling in Love with February - Day 10.

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Recent Testimonial

The team really know their stuff and worked us through some very interesting tools. We learned about the key mental health issues that might present to leaders, about the causes and how the brain reacts to those.

What was really special was developing and working through strategies to support people feeling unwell. Given the workshop focussed on common mental health issues and was focussed on working in the outdoors it was far superior and much more useful than the mental health first aid I’ve done so far. The course is suitable for all outdoor leaders and instructors.

Mike Raine, Notes On The Hill - Apr 2025

Professional Accreditations

  • City & Guilds - Level Four Delivering Adult Learning

  • City University London - MA Organisations & Social Change

  • Iron Mill College - Certificate in Counselling

  • Natural Academy - Advanced diploma - Eco-Psychology and Nature Based Practice

  • The Coaching Academy - Advanced Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching

  • University of Wales - Postgraduate Certificate SEN Specific Learning Difficulties

  • City of Bristol College - Level Four Delivering Adult Learning City & Guilds