Meet the staff - Mike Murphy

Emma Chaplin catches up with Mike Murphy, Communities Training Officer, who has worked for Sussex Wildlife Trust for 20 years

Tell us a bit about yourself and your time with the Trust

I live in Plumpton Green with my wife Gail, who works for the NHS, and 17 year son Will, currently doing the International Baccalaureate , and wants to go on to do oceanography at university. Plus black Labrador Flo, who doesn't like water.

I was born in London and we moved around the capital because my parents ran pubs. I went to university in Leeds and went on to be a teacher of science and geography. I did VSO for a bit in Nepal.

When I came back, I decided I wanted to be outdoors, so I phoned around some local organisations, spoke to Mike Russell at Sussex Wildlife Trust, met at Seven Sisters, and was given a job. It was a four year post, funded by the Lottery, developing sessions for secondary schools. In 2004, there was a free place on Forest School training run by Bridgewater College, so I went on it, without really knowing what it was. 

It was my road to Damascus! Learner centred and playful. Managing risk through experiential learning. Building a community of learning and development. It was revolutionary. Repeat engagement and nature connection were key components. I strongly felt Sussex Wildlife Trust needed to be doing this so I brought Forest School session delivery and training to the Trust. The Forest School ethos underpinned future engagement and gave rise to Nature Tots, Wild Beach, Recovery College and Youth Rangers. Forest School has continued to grow and evolve through constant refreshing by my colleagues Ryan Greaves, Tamara Jewell and Renzo Spano.

In 2013 we began to also offer Wild Beach training, created by myself and Nikki (Hills, now Director of Communities).

If I cycle along the sea front anywhere in Sussex now, I'll see a Wild Beach group and young people having a brilliant time getting closer to nature on their seafront.

Over the years, we have seen so many schools transformed all over Sussex. Thousands of children have had the opportunity to connect with nature. I'm so proud of this.

Where is your favourite wild place in Sussex?

Hope Gap.

How do you relax?

I swim in the sea or river on my own or with my wife. Riding my bike. Walking the dog. I love it when the sun is out and the sea is really wavy - it feels almost electric.

What's a perfect Sunday afternoon?

Autumn, low sun, cool with some warmth left in the water, on the beach, with a Trangia, making coffee and eating lemon drizzle cake that my son has made.