Spotlight on Instinctively Wild CIC
In our latest member spotlight, we’re thrilled to be joined by Pete Carthy, Founding Director of Instinctively Wild CIC. Instinctively Wild are currently in the process of recruiting new Directors who share a similar drive for change and impact through nature. Click here for more information.
What does your social enterprise do, and why do you do it?
Instinctively Wild CIC reconnects people through nature. We use a variety of tools and programmes to do this: Forest Schools, Bushcraft, Nature Journaling, Eco-therapy, Storytelling, Team-building and training.
We all (directors and volunteers) have lived experience of addiction and how it feels to get lost in low self-esteem and low self-worth. Through being out in nature, we have discovered joy and healing. We know it works as it has worked for us.
What products, services and/or experiences do you currently offer?
- Forest Schools (usually for schools and youth provision).
- Bushcraft.
- Eco-therapy programmes (‘Branching Out’ and bespoke programmes, e.g. for people with early onset Dementia).
- Nature Journalling – providing mindfulness experiences and skills development.
- Storytelling through nature – providing creativity and mindfulness through nature.
- Team-building – for organisations looking for positive experiences for their teams. The use of bushcraft is often used in this capacity, as well as aspects of eco-therapy, nature journaling, storytelling – we would design a suitable programme.
- Training:
- Forest Outdoor Learning Award (FOLA) SCQF Levels 2-8.
- Institute of Outdoor Learning – Bushcraft SCQF L5 (May 2026).
- Forest Kindergarten training for nursery/early years settings.
What’s your personal motivation?
I want to make a positive difference in the world. I want to help people; nature has helped me through some difficult periods of my life. Running Instinctively Wild is my way of giving back; I am using the gifts I have been given. Providing experiences that provide joy, inspiration, personal development, and help people on their journeys, not only clients on projects, but everyone involved, Directors, leaders and volunteers. Everyone is part of that journey.
What is next on the horizon for your social enterprise, and how do you plan to get there?
I (Pete Carthy) have reduced my days in my teaching position, so now I am looking to get back in the driving seat and develop Instinctively Wild.
We are in the process of welcoming new Directors onto the team and are eager to grow our business – creating more contracted work, particularly the Eco-therapy for adults and Corporate Team-Building.
We would be interested in hearing from any organisations that would be up for sharing a table at the SCVO Gathering in Feb 2026, for example.
We are also looking for any networking events to attend, as these are good ways at selling what we do.
Although we are looking for projects in the Lothians, Borders, D&G, and South Lanarkshire. We also go much further afield. We go to the Greenbelt and SOLAS Festivals – Kettering and Dundee. We are willing to travel and stay over; we have done that previously for projects.
What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to overcome in your social enterprise journey?
Not getting grants I have put a lot of hard work into. Not being able to be involved in projects in the week when I have been teaching.
What is your most satisfying achievement so far?
All the people we have met on projects and as volunteers, countless people over the years. The thanks you receive, and people are always pleased to see you when you bump into them in the supermarket/street, they always give you the time of day. That is because we gave them the time of day when they needed help, no judgment, not interested in their ‘labels’, we just treated them like we would like to be treated in the same situation. With humility and respect.
How has being a member of Social Enterprise Scotland helped you?
I like being part of a bigger community, knowing that there is always people to talk to who will have an answer to a problem.
Who in the social enterprise community inspires you and why?
Bosco Santimano of You Can Cook. We were at the same Level 2 Scotland Unlimited/First Port meeting/interview – cohort in 2009. We have been around the same length of time; he has diversified into different areas and consequently has an array of different income streams, absolutely vital for a social enterprise. He just totally gets it.
What top tips would you give to other social enterprises?
Never give up. If you don’t get an answer, it only means you either haven’t knocked at the door loud enough or you have knocked on the wrong door. If something doesn’t/hasn’t worked, then it might mean that you have to go in a different direction. Thats ok, it does not mean you have failed, it just means that you need to adapt or change, innovate, try it a different way/different approach.
Listen to everyone involved – do a team meeting where the team, volunteers included, write the agenda themselves. They will have ideas, project suggestions and solutions to problems you will have never have thought of.
For more information about Instinctively Wild CIC, please visit their website or Instagram.
Want to read more Member Spotlights? Visit our blog. If you’d like to be featured, please email membership@socialenterprise.scot.