Ep. 046: Healing in the Wild with Jo Robert, CEO Wilderness Foundation UK

In episode 46 of The Wilder Podcast, hosts Chloe and Tom explore how wild places heal people and ecosystems. Their guest is Jo Roberts, CEO of the Wilderness Foundation UK. Jo shares how her childhood in South Africa fostered a deep respect for wilderness, how trauma influenced her career path, and why she believes access to nature should be a basic public health right. The conversation covers the Grange Project’s latest updates (volunteers, community‑days and new Berkshire pigs), the difference between parks and true wilderness, and the Wilderness Foundation’s programmes for survivors of domestic abuse, young people experiencing mental‑health challenges and at‑risk youth. Together they discuss why being outdoors with others, facing manageable challenges and reconnecting with non‑human nature can transform mental and emotional health.

Guest:

Jo Roberts – CEO, Wilderness Foundation UK

Jo has been Chief Executive of the Wilderness Foundation since 2004 and previously worked as Projects Director and Project Coordinatorwildernessfoundation.org.uk. A South African by birth, Jo was shaped by wild places across Africa and studied social anthropology during apartheid. She moved to the UK in 1984 and later merged her global network of wilderness practitioners into programmes that use nature to promote wellbeing and behavioural changewildernessfoundation.org.uk. Jo is a master NLP practitioner and psychotherapeutic counsellor who leads wilderness therapy programmes, with research interests in how immersion in nature affects mental healthwildernessfoundation.org.uk. She also serves on the Essex Climate Action Commission and champions the idea that “we help nature and nature helps us”wildernessfoundation.org.uk.

Timestamps & Topics:

[00:00] Introductions & Grange Project update

[08:00] Jo Roberts’ background

[16:00] What counts as wilderness?

[28:00] Why wilderness heals

[36:00] Programmes & therapeutic work

[45:00] Access to nature as a public health right

[55:00] Reflections & takeaways:

Key Takeaways:

• Wild places are medicine. Research on the Wilderness Foundation’s TurnAround programme shows that spending time in wilderness and receiving long‑term support improves emotional wellbeing for most participants and helps them into education, training or worksmileymovement.org.
• Nature‑based therapy blends challenge and care. Programmes like Blossom and Brave Futures combine bushcraft, outdoor cooking and art therapy with trauma‑informed counsellingwildernessfoundation.org.ukwildernessfoundation.org.uk. Participants learn boundaries, resilience and self‑care in a supportive group.
• Volunteers and community matter. The Grange Project’s success owes much to volunteers and WWOOF‑ers who contribute energy and ideas; the hosts underline that community days not only help the land but also energise the hosts.
• Access to nature is a social issue. Jo argues that nature immersion should be a public health right, and points to transport, funding and education policy as barriers. She calls for greater investment in outdoor education and for teachers and parents to model curiosity about nature.
• Three ingredients for healing: a diverse, “wild” environment; a supportive group or tribe; and a challenge that develops mastery and resilience.

Further Resources:

• Wilderness Foundation UK: Main charity page with information on programmes, events and volunteering opportunities – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk.
• Blossom Programme: Nature‑based therapy for survivors of domestic abuse; meets for ten weeks in woodland near Chelmsfordwildernessfoundation.org.uk – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/domestic-violence-recovery/.
• Brave Futures: Eight‑week group‑therapy programme for children, teens and adults experiencing mental‑health challengeswildernessfoundation.org.uk – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/brave-futures/.
• TurnAround: A year‑long wilderness‑therapy programme for vulnerable young people; includes a Scottish expedition and mentoringsmileymovement.org – https://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/turnaround/.
• Grange Project: Tom and Chloe’s 80‑acre nature‑restoration site in Wales; volunteer opportunities and podcast archive – https://grangeproject.co.uk.
• WWOOF UK: Information on Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), the volunteering network mentioned in the episode – https://wwoof.org.uk.

How to Get Involved:

• Volunteer or donate: The Wilderness Foundation relies on volunteers and donations to run programmes; opportunities range from mentoring to conservation work. Details are on the Foundation’s volunteer page.
• Explore your local wild spaces: Whether it’s a city park or a remote forest, take time to notice birdsong, plant patterns and the feel of the wind. Even small pockets of wildness can soothe the mind.
• Share this episode: If you know someone who might benefit from wilderness therapy or who is interested in rewilding and mental health, share this episode of the Wilder Podcast.

Contact & Support:

• Wilderness Foundation UK – email [email protected]; phone 0300 123 3073wildernessfoundation.org.uk.
• The Grange Project – email [email protected] for volunteering or to attend future community days.