Taking root
This month we’re looking at the roots that good things grow from like different perspectives, connection, nature, imagination and putting in the work.
In a flash ⚡️
time away by the Helford and the ideas it sparked
a campaign linking woodland and ocean health
new faces, good conversations and a studio visit from Ayan Said
a sneak peek at work in progress
BSL in your browser tabs and other things for curious minds
STUDIO
Team away days
The Leap team recently returned from a few days at what we dubbed Camp LEAP. Days spent staying at a National Trust house right on the beautiful Helford, where the trees lean into the tidal waters and you can feel the place breathing around you.
We spent time with Plant One CIC’s Carl Rowlinson, digging into the magic of the Helford and the way land and sea intertwine and support each other (more on that below). Steve Fuller and Manda Brookman joined us too, helping us get sharp on where we’re heading and how we want to work together as a team and with our clients.
In between the thinking bits, we cooked, walked, swam (wild weather and all), skimmed stones, played games and let the surroundings seep into our hearts and minds. Nature connection is the pulsing heart of Leap, and a few days immersed in it brought us back to the studio full of energy and creative spark.
Vacancy: Technical web support
We’re looking for a technical all-rounder to help keep our studio’s digital world ticking.
You’ll lead on our website care packages – keeping WordPress sites healthy, secure and up to speed – and support the wider team on hosting, launches and everyday studio tech issues.
This is a full-time, permanent role based in Truro, with the flexibility to work two days a week from home.
Apply by: 12.12.2025
Sneak peek
A little glimpse of something we’ve been shaping in the studio. Work that looks at the everyday effort behind healthy, connected relationships. Not magic. Maintenance.
Welcome LUC
We’re excited to welcome LUC (Land Use Consultants) to the studio fold. They’re a team shaping better futures for nature, people and the places we all share – from landscape planning to design that works with the land rather than against it. We’re helping them to celebrate a big milestone so watch this space..
People, perspectives and a good chat
We had the brilliant Ayan Said from Voicing Voices in the studio recently for a lunch and learn around intersectionality. She asked us to look at who we are through three lenses – personal, cultural and organisational – which opened up some honest conversations about where we’re coming from and what shapes our perspective. Even when there are shared experiences, the mix is different for everyone.
Ayan’s work focuses on more human leadership and stronger connection across differences. She’s also been a Goodfest speaker in the past, so it was great to reconnect with her.
Around the same time, Simon headed to a Future Planet community connect in London. His take:
“It was my first in-person Future Planet meet. An absolute joy to spend time with people from different sectors who share the same vision for the planet. We were able to share our hopes and challenges in a truly authentic way.”
Two different rooms, same thread: connection as a starting point.
INSPIRATION
No trees, no seas
At Camp LEAP, we spent time with Carl from Plant One Cornwall digging into the science behind No trees, No seas – a campaign showing how closely our woodlands and ocean health are tied. Research from Sam Manning from the Woodland Trust and Dr Ben Phillips spells out how, by restoring native woodland, you boost fish stocks, support seagrass and kelp, and even help reverse plankton decline.
Big idea, simple logic: if we want thriving seas, we need thriving trees.
Leap has supported Plant One for years, and Matt is one of their Mighty Oak Guardians, so we’re excited to be exploring how we can play a part in the campaign alongside Falmouth University. The team are currently crowdfunding to kickstart the next phase of work, with an ambition to create 500 hectares of Flowscape Forest to strengthen river and coastal habitats.
Find out more and help the project grow
Cornwall Sustainability Awards
The Cornwall Sustainability Awards are back, and our own Simon Thomason is on the judging panel this year. We’re looking forward to seeing the ideas, graft and heart that Cornwall brings to the table.
There’s still time to join the awards night on Friday 5 December at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, with Sacha Dench (the human swan) as guest speaker.
SENSES
BSL one tab at a time
A simple browser extension that helps you learn British Sign Language in small, everyday moments. Each new tab opens with a BSL flashcard, so you pick things up gradually without making it a whole task.
Matt came across it at the weekend and has started using it himself. As he said, it’s something we should probably all know a bit of!
Free, straightforward and worth a look.
Explainer video and link to extension
Taipei community garden
In case anyone needs some ideas on what to do with an abandoned building. This abandoned football stadium in Taipei, Taiwan was turned into a thriving community garden and it looks so cool.
More than one way to dice an onion
Have you ever pondered what the best approach to onion cutting really is? The Pudding has done the maths.