About Us
About The Willow Tree Foundation
When we set up the foundation, we agreed that the willow tree captured the pure essence of what we hoped to create with a sanctuary and gathering our tribe where we can walk together with strength, grace and love.
The willow tree is a rather majestic being. It takes up the room it needs. It offers shelter from the elements. It stands proud of who it is. And perhaps, more than any other tree, it stands firm, courageous and strong, despite the elements and conditions it finds itself in. In the wildest of weather, you can watch the willow bend, flex, stoop and strike all manner of outrageous poses. And yet it doesn’t snap. It doesn’t break. It simply finds ways to adapt. Perhaps this offers us a powerful metaphor for those of us seeking recovery and healing. If we are able to quieten our own mind, the willow tree has a powerful message that encourages us to adjust to life, rather than simply fighting it. Surrender to the process. Dance with both the pain and the beauty.
About The Tylers
When Richard was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 4B Mantle Cell Lymphoma (a rare type of blood cancer affecting only a few hundred people each year in the UK), it completely rocked all of the members of the Tyler family. As a result of their integrative healing journey combined with their psychospiritual and therapeutic backgrounds, Richard and Kelly founded The Willow Tree Foundation to support individual and collective well-being, through nature-informed therapy, biodynamic gardening and community activities.
Richard Tyler
Richard brings guidance and insight from his own lived experience with blood cancer. You will often find him walking in nature with his clients, musing on his bench, writing poetry and books about his experiences and offering a different perspective through his psychologically informed lens.
After a decade playing lead roles in West End theatre productions such as The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, and singing in concert halls across the globe, Richard brings a creative and artful approach to life. He founded BTFI Ltd in 2004 where, coupled with his professional training in Barrett Values CTT, Systemic Constellation Coaching and ongoing studies in Cognitive Hypnotherapy, ACT and Psychosynthesis he worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet to help them deepen their leadership and cultural experience.
His work now as a Soul therapist is grounded in the belief that deep healing happens when in relationship; with ourselves, with others and with the more than human world around us. As the co-founder of The Willow Tree Foundation, Richard’s practice is grounded in the rhythms of the Earth, drawing on the restorative power of nature to help people reconnect to their inner wisdom, navigate transitions, and tend to the soul wounds that conventional therapy often overlooks.
Richard shares his own personal healing journey through his book, ‘As A Kite Falls‘ which illustrates just how vital it is to explore both the light and dark in our life.
Kelly Tyler
With a background in psychology, business consultancy and nature-informed therapy, Kelly is passionate about supporting others to reach their full potential, whilst making a positive impact on the planet.
Her career path has included a variety of roles; psychologist, business consultant, speaker agent and social impact director. This journey has highlighted her strengths in connecting individuals to key people of influence and creating programmes, marketing and fundraising for the greatest good.
She is a life-long learner and has trained in Systemic Constellation Coaching, Herbal Medicine and Animal Assisted Therapy.
She adds value to many charitable organisations through Trustee positions at The College of Psychic Studies, Transitional Network International and Under One Sky and she is a local councillor for Nettleton Parish.
In her role as the Social Impact Director at The Psychosynthesis Trust, she created the Exploring Anxiety In Nature programme, which involves nature & community to support individuals with their mental health whilst increasing participation in local social farms and community gardens.
She founded The Willow Tree Foundation with Richard, where she facilitates programmes to help people connect with themselves through nature, animals, therapy and integrative techniques. She especially enjoys working on her smallholding with her own alpacas as Camelid Assisted Therapist.
Meet Our Animals
Royston
Well his profile says it all… Everybody loves Royston and he brings boundless joy & love to our lives! When the world around feels too much to handle, his loving licks and fluffy coat offer the perfect antidote.
Tom
Tom is an extremely loving and independent soul. We think he is the champion for the LGBTQIA Alpaca society, as he was obsessed with Bert when he arrived! Tom will let you know if he’s in a sociable mood as interaction is always on his terms.
Dick
He definitely lives up to his name… Dick is the cheekiest and smallest member of the herd and if there is trouble happening, rest assured he will be right at the heart of it. Oh and he loves nibbling shoes!
Harry
Everybody loves Harry as he is the charmer of the pack! He adores giving kisses and he will happily pose for photos, as he just relishes human attention. He also greets all the dogs that walk along the public footpath.
Bert
Bert is the leader of the pack and believes strongly that he is the big boss. He loves chasing pheasants and is ALWAYS hungry, so he will be first in the queue at feeding time.
Ernie
Ernie loves his own company and will often be spotted slightly away from the herd – he is an introverted alpaca and we love him. You probably won’t get a kiss from Ernie, but he’ll send you a lot of love from afar.
Audrey Henburn
She is a Padovano chicken and you can’t miss her with her wonderful bouffant hairstyle! She rules the roost and likes to announce very loudly, to all those who will listen, when she is laying an egg!
Stevie Chicks
Stevie is a Silkie chicken and has a unique personality. Often found running into things as she’s so focused on chasing flies. At the end of the day, she just loves any form of food. See if you can spot her blue ears when you meet her.
Yolko Ono
She is a bantam chicken and is the mother hen. She loves grooming the other girls and is always broody. If you can’t find her, no doubt she is tucked inside, sitting on eggs.
Annie Hennox
Annie is a sablepoot chicken – check out the feathers growing on her legs that make her look like she is rocking her 70’s flares! Annie is the explorer – she will often fly up to sit on your shoulder or will be found digging holes in hope of discovering more insects.
Our Bees
We are in our first year of beekeeping and the queen of our colony is called Cleopatra. We drew the line at naming all 50,000! They are busy pollinating our local area and hopefully producing some yummy honey in the months and years to come.
About Our GoFundMe Fundraising Campaign
As the Willow Tree Foundation is a CIC (Community Interest Company) we are reliant on grants and donations to be able to offer our FREE programmes to support others on their healing journey.
We welcome any support, no matter how small, and please keep us informed if you are planning a fundraiser and we will help promote it!
Thank you for your support!