Meet the Ambassador: Naomi Durham
Meet Naomi, single mum to two kids and our Lead Ambassador for Family Footsteps: our monthly outdoor meet up.
“I organise meet ups that we would do anyway but it’s nice to invite other single parent families to help the weekend feel a bit less lonely”
Hi I’m Naomi and I’m the lead ambassador for Family Footsteps. I wanted a relaxed, informal meet where the kids could run around and use up energy whilst the parents could hopefully chill and have a chat. I organise meet ups that we would do anyway but it’s nice to invite other single parent families to help the weekend feel a bit less lonely, and having company means my kids bother me just that little bit less.
It took a long time for me to feel confident taking two little people out in public, and outdoor spaces were always more comfortable for me. They’re less crowded, you feel like people are less judgemental when your kids are loud, the kids can use up more energy and they’re generally free to go to. Also, I thrive being outdoors and my daughters would respond so positively when they saw me happy.
I love to pack a picnic, get out of the house and find somewhere green to go. Somewhere to buy coffee is always welcome, as are toilets but we’re not opposed to a nature wee! It doesn’t matter the time of year we’ll grab our wellies and waterproofs and go on a bear hunt, build a den or go looking for insects. In my youngest’s eyes - the muddier the better!!
Recently with Family Footsteps I took the next step and organised a campfire.
I’m a Guide leader and love camping, hiking and fire! I wanted to offer an experience to kids and families who might not usually get to try it elsewhere so we had a campfire, toasted marshmallows and made s’mores. There was hot chocolate and games and the parents could sit down and catch up with each other. It was really successful and luckily we were blessed with some sun! As this event becomes more established I have ideas for more cooking on fires and other outdoor skills so watch this space.
We asked Naomi to share some of her favourite places to go with her kiddies in and around Cardiff:
Victoria Park
Roath Park and Roath Rec
Heath Park
Bute Park Secret Gardens
Lamby Lake (no playground but a lovely walk and lots of wildlife and blackberries)
And further afield:
The Wenallt
Tredegar Park
Cwmcarn Forest Drive
Newport Wetlands
Fforest Fach sculpture trail
If you’ve been thinking of joining us at one of our Outdoor meet ups we’d love to see you at Family Footsteps. Our next meet up is on the 20th October and we have them lined up for November at Roath Rec and December at Caeglas for campfire s’mores.