The History
Sense Outside is a new and evolving initiative. It has been born from a passion for working with children and a love for the New Forest and the seaside. We believe that in today's changing world, it's more important than ever to provide children with opportunities to connect with nature. The natural environment offers endless opportunities for rich, multi-sensory experiences that can support physical development and emotional well-being.
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The How
Our sessions are run by Chloe and Virginia, highly experienced individuals who have qualifications across the spectrum of health and education to ensure your young person is getting the most out of their Sense Outside sessions.
Our Stories
Virginia Darley
Living in the New Forest, I am passionate about the positive impact of nature on our young people. I am an EcoSensory Practitioner, Beach School Leadership trained and have a Level 2 qualification in Understanding Autism.
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I trained as a Norland Nursery Nurse, qualifying in 1982 and I have been involved with children all of my professional life. I have nannied, managed day nurseries and worked in Portage, a home visiting service for children with special needs. I have run 2 businesses related to child development and in 2007 founded a charity with my husband and others serving disadvantaged children in Romania which we ran for 14 years. The charity attracted the backing of the British Embassy in Romania. The British Ambassador was our patron for several years and visited our projects each year from 2015 to 2019.
Sense Outside is the culmination of all of these influences.
Chloe Wright
I am an Occupational Therapist, specialising in Advanced Sensory Integration Therapy. I am trained in EcoSensory Therapy and very excited to soon qualify as a Level 3 Forest School Leader.
During my career I have worked in SEND and mainstream schools and clinical settings, working alongside parents, teachers and other health and social care professionals. I have extensive experience in working with children and young people who have significant mental health challenges, autism and ADHD diagnosis’s and special educational needs and disability.
I live in the New Forest with my partner and 2 young children. As a qualified and experienced advanced sensory integration therapist I am acutely aware of the overwhelming benefits of sensory rich experiences to our health and wellbeing.
I have a love of nature and am passionate about enabling every child and young person, no matter what their needs or circumstances, access the abundance of amazing organic resources nature has to offer.’
Experience and Qualifications
Norland Nursery Nurse
NNEB/RSH
EcoSensory Therapy Practitioner
Autism Level 2
Beach Leadership qualified
Level 3 Forest School leader - currently studying
Experience and Qualifications
​BScHons Occupational Therapy
PgCert in Sensory Integration
CLASI/CASI certification (Colloborative for Leadershio in Sensory integration/ Certificate in Sensory Integration)
Level 2 certificate in counselling skills
Eco Sensory training - Growing Roots
Level 3 Forest School leader - currently studying
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