About The Founder Amanda Claire Vesty

In Brief: AST for schools has been devised by AST founder Amanda Claire Vesty BA Hons PGCE. A teacher with many years' experience working in mainstream, SEN, prison, and community. Former head of SEAL and PLTS at her last school working with children and young people with complex and severe social emotional and behavioural difficulties.

She currently works as a tutor for the WEA Workers Education Association taking education out into the community. 

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In Depth: A qualified teacher and artist BA Hons, PGCE, counselling diploma. An ecotherapist, therapeutic arts coach, meditation teacher, reiki master and sound healer. I’m a writer for 3 blogs and my work is also syndicated to Campfire Convention. I’m an historian, story teller, and tree temple keeper. I’m currently studying a part time Archaeology MA in Death and Memory.

 

I am passionate about ecology and social justice. The happiness and wellbeing of people and planet has informed my career for nearly thirty years.

 

I founded Ancient & Sacred Trees in 2014. Its’ ethos is PositiviTree for CommuniTree celebrating peoples personal and sacred connections with trees. It is an eco-activist and wellbeing group aiming to rewild humans and campaigning for cultural change. The passion members have for the natural world has really inspired me so much and gives me hope for the future of our planet. 

 

As a teacher: Working in mainstream, special and further education, I’ve been lucky enough to work with many different communities including mental health groups, neural diverse, elderly, refugees, disaffected youth, and young offenders in prison. My last role in a school was in special education as Head of Art, SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning), and PELTS (Personal Learning and Thinking Skills). My focus was on providing can-do, confidence building and therapeutic activities in art and cross curricular activities. I currently work as an occasional tutor for the Workers Education Association an adult education charity. A social justice organisation bringing education out into the community. Alongside this I run nature, art and wellbeing activities.

 

As an artist: Worked in my twenties with a drama therapist as 2 Bright Sparks writing, performing and running workshops in mythical stories. Creating 15 foot ‘gigants’ (giant puppets) commissioned by Manchester for the Manchester Millennium parade led to an invitation to a gala event with the prime minister. I was a founder member of Hot Bed Press an open access print and papermaking community arts studio still going strong 25 years later. I set up and ran Jack-In-The-Green art studio and ethical gift shop for a number of years before taking it online.

 

As a therapist: Therapeutic art activities, mindfulness, relaxation and meditation were an integral part of my work as head of Art and SEAL. I set up the art department working with children and young people with severe emotional, social and behavourial difficulties, psychiatric and/or psychological needs, many of whom were in the care system. As a healer I work primarily with the land. I also run courses and activities, these include stress busting and relaxation activities with the WEA. Also, forest bathing and nature connection activities out in the woods and meadows.

 

Life: I did an all-night vigil on Cader Idris mountain summit in Wales. Legend says you if you spend the night up there you either end up dead, mad or a poet. I have nearly died twice, once when I was attacked and once in hospital after the birth of my baby.  The first death experience in my early twenties led me on a personal journey towards enlightenment and direct revelation, shamanism and native indigenous connection. Having grown up in the countryside it was nature that pulled me out of the darkness. As a modern culture we are not encouraged to be open about death and this has had serious consequences for both our health and the wellbeing of our planet. This is why, as well as undertaking my MA, I am also part of the ‘Last Wishes – Live Your Legacy’ team. We aim to Educate, Inspire and Empower everyone around End-Of-Life.  It is not dying we need fear but the manner of our passing. A good death should bring new life.

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It is these experiences that have given me such a passion for ecology, health and well being.

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