Digital Learning Practice team away day at Dulwich Upper Wood

Hi Ruth, can you tell us more about your recent team away day?

Our team recently embarked on a unique away day at Upper Dulwich Wood, a local nature reserve. Upper Dulwich Wood is a local nature reserve managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV). The woodland is a remnant of the Great North Wood which originally stretched from Nunhead to Croydon. Most of the site is ancient woodland and home to many species of fauna and flora, notably the stag beetle and an impressive variety of funghi. 

Under the guidance of Mike, a TCV project officer, our jobs for the day included digging out invasive rhododendron, clearing away overgrown shrub and ivy to make space for the local primary school to come and plant some seeds, and moving branches to rejuvenate the log pile which provides the perfect living space for the stag beetle larvae.  

Mike was incredibly knowledgeable and regaled us with fascinating facts about the locality, the ecological importance of the woods, and some of the more whimsical folklore associated with the bugs, critters and larger species that inhabit the woods. Through his engaging and educational storytelling, we learnt a lot about the importance of this woodland and the specialist habitats it supports.

Where did the idea for this away day come from?

Inspired by my Carbon Literacy training I pledged to use UAL’s volunteering leave entitlement to support a local conservation project. George Barker, Organisational Development Consultant (Climate and Net Zero) and Carbon Literacy Trainer at UAL, connected me with TCV who partnered us with Upper Dulwich Wood. Having taken part in similar conservation work before, I knew the day could be quite physically demanding and I was a little nervous as to whether the team would be on board with the idea. Digging and generally scrubbing around on a forest floor in wellies is not everyone’s cup of tea. I explained to my colleagues that attendance was optional, but I hoped it would be a team away day with a difference - one that would make a difference. I was genuinely heartened when everyone embraced the idea and, despite initial concerns about the physical demands, accessibility, and wardrobe dilemmas, they rose to the challenge and set about cutting, digging, shifting and raking with an impressive amount of enthusiasm.

What did you take away from this experience?

It was certainly a different type of team away day and I think colleagues were surprised at how much they enjoyed the work. It felt restorative to be outdoors, surrounded by ancient woodland and actively contributing to sustaining an ecologically important part of the neighbourhood. Teamworking happened naturally, whilst a different, more relaxed conversation flowed between us. At the end we stood and looked at how we’d transformed our patch of the woods. There was a tangible sense of pride, both individually, and also as a team, in having accomplished something so worthwhile.

“I came back home having done a bit of physical activity that I would have never done on my own, learnt so much about conservation and the ecosystem of Dulwich Upper Wood and had fun with my colleagues. I would definitely recommend the experience and would do it again anytime.” Romain Potier, Digital Officer

For other people interested in doing this, I’d say go for it. It wasn’t expensive or time consuming to arrange, and there are so many benefits from learning new skills, giving our mental health a boost and helping colleagues talk, connect and work together in a way that felt compassionate, genuine and fun.

Carbon Literacy training is available to all UAL staff, book on ESS.

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