![]() ![]() In a very short period, I experienced a great deal of loss, grief, and trauma. I grew up in a single parent household, and my Mum had her own challenges she was dealing with, so I didn’t have much support in trying to make sense of the things that were happening to me, and around me. Kwesia: Life was tough growing up, as it was for many of us in the area. Credit: City Girl in Nature TGO: I understand you’ve experienced trauma in your life? If you’d be comfortable doing so, could you share your story? Shooting for Craghoppers in the Lake District. In doing so, much of the diversity is becoming erased, and with this the soul of the community. More recently, Deptford is experiencing a period of regeneration and gentrification which is leading to already marginalised groups becoming more invisible as new more wealthy residents change the landscape of the area. The togetherness of people, all experiencing the same things, looking out for each other, makes it a very resilient and strong community. Having said that, with this diversity and multiculturism, there is a great deal of joy. A large minority is from black and minority ethnic communities, who experience a great deal of racism and discrimination, often hidden, which impacts on our health and well-being. There is a great deal of poverty and unmet needs. Much of the area is made up of housing estates which have been neglected by the council, and many of the families that live there often don’t have enough money to make ends meet. As an inner-city area, it has experienced its fair share of multi deprivations. Kwesia: I grew up in Deptford, South-East London. Credit: City Girl in Nature TGO: Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up? Walking in the Carneddau, Eryri/Snowdonia. Looking forward, I hope very much to continue being a door opener, and an enabler, creating and facilitating opportunities for young people to be able to see the world around them, and inside them, in new and healing ways. I have recently been delighted to receive the John Spenden Lewis Award from the Linnean Society for the work that I do. I am looking forward to taking young people to camp out in our national parks this summer, and leading youth workshops at a retreat on the island of Iona, North West Scotland. When called upon, I also mentor younger people who may be struggling a little bit with the things going on with them, being a friend and a positive role model. I run workshops in schools and community spaces introducing people to the great outdoors, particularly young people, building their confidence and appreciation of the natural world. I am currently releasing series two on my further adventures with people and places. Creating series one was a phenomenal experience for me, and from which I continue to feel the ripple effects. Kwesia: I am a You Tuber and have my own online channel where I share content on my mission to connect inner city people with the nature on their doorsteps. TGO: Hi Kwesia! Can you introduce yourself and your City Girl in Nature projects? ![]() ![]() Here, she tells The Great Outdoors how nature became her “happy place” as a young person experiencing challenges both “indoors and inside myself” and her own journey of self-discovery. Indeed, the open space of Deptford Park is still one of Kwesia’s favourite places to spend time in nature, ID’ing wildflowers or birdwatching. It’s also home to communities who live with a great deal of joy and resilience. Kwesia grew up in Deptford which, in her words, is a place of poverty, unmet needs, gentrification, hidden racism and discrimination. ![]()
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