Talia and her guests explore what the word access can mean because, when you stop to think about it, there are so many layers to this term.

Research tells us that disabled people are often excluded from nature, so Talia sees what can be done about this by spending a morning with The Epping Forest Sunflower Group along an easy-access trail at High Beach.

Talia is then joined by podcaster and outdoors legend Francesca Turauskis to talk about adventuring with epilepsy, stigma and how so many different access issues are interconnected.

Finally, Talia reflects on neurodivergent experiences in nature, including her own. With fellow neurodivergent nature lover Emma, Talia discovers how important it is to make her own adaptations when hiking.

Producer/Presenter: Talia Randall

Mixing and Mastering: Jamie Payne

Artwork: Ione Maria Rojas

Publishing Partner: Aunt Nell

Voices of Epping Forest was made possible through a commission from Essex Cultural Diversity Project supported by Arts Council England, in partnership with Epping Forest Heritage Trust, and supported by the City of London Corporation, Epping Forest and Essex County Council. Epping Forest is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you feel when - and if - you walk alone through a woodland? Entirely at ease, your senses alive to the smells and textures around you? Or do you feel nervous - are you looking over your shoulder? Or perhaps, like Talia, you feel a combination of these things.

As much as Talia loves being in nature, she doesn't always feel comfortable. It's an unfortunate reality that although nature should be for everyone, many people feel excluded for lots of different reasons. In this episode, Talia learns what can be done to challenge those obstacles.

She gets muddy at a conservation day for women and non-binary folk set up by Epping Forest Heritage Trust. Then, Talia chats with Amira Patel, founder of Wanderlust Women, an adventure group for Muslim women. Finally, Talia joins a guided walk for LGBTQ+ folk with Epping Forest Pride. She learns how many ancient trees are in Epping Forest (spoiler - it's a lot) and hears why people were drawn to this pride event. As fellow walker Abi puts it, “Nature belongs to everyone”.

Producer/Presenter: Talia Randall

Mixing and Mastering: Jamie Payne

Artwork: Ione Maria Rojas

Publishing Partner: Aunt Nell

Voices of Epping Forest was made possible through a commission from Essex Cultural Diversity Project supported by Arts Council England, in partnership with Epping Forest Heritage Trust, and supported by the City of London Corporation, Epping Forest and Essex County Council. Epping Forest is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many people in the UK struggle to access nature. Over four episodes, we’ll delve into some of the obstacles that can prevent us from getting outdoors.

However, Voices of Epping Forest is also a celebration. We’ll meet people from all walks of life who love nature, particularly Epping Forest. These folk are passionate about helping more of us feel like we belong in green spaces.

Produced and presented by Talia Randall, whose previous podcast Blossom Trees and Burnt-Out Cars covered similar themes, this podcast also revels in the beauty of Epping Forest itself. We’ll journey through some of Epping Forest’s many stunning spots. From the aquatic landscape of Connaught Water to the easy-access trail at High Beach and, of course, the ancient trees that cover so much of the forest.

Producer/Presenter: Talia Randall

Mixing and Mastering: Jamie Payne

Artwork: Ione Maria Rojas

Publishing Partner: Aunt Nell

Voices of Epping Forest was made possible through a commission from Essex Cultural Diversity Project supported by Arts Council England, in partnership with Epping Forest Heritage Trust, and supported by the City of London Corporation, Epping Forest and Essex County Council. Epping Forest is owned and managed by the City of London Corporation.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.