In this joyful episode of Here's Hoping, Jayda sits down with Ollie Olanipekun to discuss what led him to founding the POC birdwatching collective Flock Together. They delve into how Flock Together addresses the underrepresentation of diverse communities in nature and the ways in which connecting to the outdoors can transform lives. Ollie shares his personal journey from a high-paced career in advertising to founding a community that inspires people of color to embrace birdwatching, with recognition of the power of nature in fostering patience, better mental health, and a deeper connection with the world around us. Ollie shares some beautiful stories of how the community has impacted members and Jayda also learns about the philosophy behind New Nature, Ollie’s initiative to merge culture and nature, and how you too can find hope and transformation through the natural world. This episode is filled with heartfelt testimonies, reflections on the magic of communal nature experiences, and a call to reimagine our relationship with the outdoors.

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Ollie Olanipekun is a creative director and founder of award-winning creative agency Superimpose / Futurimpose, as well as the co-founder of Flock Together, the UK's first birdwatching collective for people of colour. Flock Together is all about creating a supportive and inclusive space for Black, Brown, and people of colour to connect with the outdoors, and exemplifies his work to address the underrepresentation of communities in nature, alongside his next venture New Nature, an open-source concept that challenges traditional perceptions of nature and culture. Through his platforms, Ollie calls for a more inclusive, balanced relationship with the environment, encouraging people from all walks of life to find their unique, personal connection to the natural world.

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