Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
Skating (rollerskating, surfskating and skateboarding), art (street art) and swimming
My next destination:
Rovaniemi, Finland - from Sep 2025 until Nov 2025 View all
Description
Hi, I’m Orla. I'm an Irish art therapist living in London that loves conservation, nature and the outdoors. I am hoping to do some travelling between September and December of this year
I have lots of experience working with children, disabled children, and disabled adults, as well as facilitating community arts projects, including collaborative zines and murals.
I grew up in a seal sanctuary, which gave me a lifelong passion for wildlife and environmental conservation and turns out all the child labour came in useful lols. I've worked in dog boarding kennels in Ireland which was one of my favourite jobs so lots of animal care experience! I recently did 3 weeks on a workaway in a husky kennels in Finland.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in various hands-on projects, from surveying a local meadow with the London Wildlife Trust to repairing trails in the Alps with the European Voluntary Service. I also worked on an organic farm and garden in Berlin through a HelpX/homestay program.
I just love being outside and in nature, please help me escape London. I can do animal care, or any creative project. Id love to learn more about farm-work, gardening and sustainable living.
I am really passionate about the intersection of mental health, creativity, and the natural world, and I hope to expand my art therapy practice into outdoor and environmental therapy.
I’m also a beginner surfer and would love to find opportunities near a surf beach! I’m open-minded, hard-working, and always up for new challenges. If you need an extra pair of hands for conservation work, outdoor projects, or community arts initiatives, I’d love to hear from you! I also love rollerskating and skateboarding :)
Interests
Sustainability
Culture
Self development
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Charity work
Drawing & painting
Writing
Books
Art & design
Animals
Water sports
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Beach
Cycling
Adventure sports
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Gardening
Being an elderly companion
Life at a Farmstay
DIY and building projects
Some knowledge of:
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Teaching
House sitting
Able to teach about:
Babysitting and creative play
Charity Work
Art Projects
More details about your skills
Art Therapy & Creative Facilitation – Experience running workshops, facilitating community arts projects including collaborative zines and murals.
Outdoor & Conservation Work – Trail repair (European Voluntary Service), habitat surveying (London Wildlife Trust), organic farming and gardening (HelpX in Berlin).
Animal Care – Grew up in a seal sanctuary, worked in a dog kennels, familiar with wildlife care and habitat conservation.
Child & Disability Support – 12 years of experience working with children, disabled children, and disabled adults in various settings including care homes, specialist education and community centres.
Adaptability & Teamwork – Hard-working, flexible, and open to learning new skills in different environments.
Age
34
What else ...
I love spending time outdoors, whether it’s hiking, cycling, wild swimming or surfing. I'm passionate about conservation, creative arts, and the connection between nature and mental well-being. I love making all sorts of art and I love writing poetry. I also love reading books especially literary fiction, fantasy and graphic novels. I love dancing very badly: very relevant.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Special dietary requirements
