Who we are
Meet Martin and Kesty
The woods are owned and managed by Martin and Kesty Jakes, who are passionate about connecting people with nature. They met 30 years ago while working for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and bought Sladebank Woods, which is right on their doorstep, in 2000. Martin and Kesty cared for the woods while bringing up their two children, and continue to work towards making Sladebank Woods accessible for as many people as possible, to increase its diversity and create a resilient, sustainable and productive woodland for the future.
At Sladebank Woods we are delighted to welcome wellbeing practitioners – coaches and therapists – who help people do just that. If you’d like to explore how sessions with a wellbeing practitioner right here in the woods could support you, get in touch with one of these trusted practitioners directly.
Naomi Wilkinson
Naomi is a trained systemic coach, facilitator and creative. She works with people one to one and in groups, enabling a flow of wellbeing on all levels by promoting good relationship with the systems of which you are a part. She brings deep holding and witnessing, along with creativity, playfulness and pragmatism. She has trained extensively in systemic constellations work with the Centre for Systemic Constellations and The Whole Partnership since 2016 and is part of the Silver Spoons Collective. Her work is deeply informed by love of Nature in all beings. To enquire about working with her contact naomi.wilkinson@gmail.com.
Catherine Forrester
Catherine offers integrative counselling in nature at Sladebank Woods. Drawing on a range of modalities including Humanistic counselling, mindfulness-based approaches, and trauma-informed practice, she offers space and time to explore and process life’s joys and challenges. You can read more about her approach at catherineforrestercounselling.com and reach her at catherine@catherineforrestercounselling.com.
