Ranger Wellbeing
Promoting mental wellbeing and resilience
for people protecting wildlife and wild spaces.
OUR MISSION
Rangers play an indispensable role in preserving our planet’s biodiversity and ensuring the wellbeing of communities intertwined with nature. We believe those who care for the planet deserve care, too.
Our mission is to support wildlife rangers with practical, culturally grounded mental wellbeing training and tools and shed light on crucial subtopics essential for the holistic development of those dedicating their lives to conservation.
Our Team
We are a small team of passionate professionals who believe that supporting the mental wellbeing of wildlife rangers is essential — not just for individual health, but for the long-term protection of our planet.
Julie White
lead trainer
Julie brings a background in mental health training, neurodiversity, and resilience coaching, underpinned by over 20 years’ experience in HR, learning and development across sectors. She specialises in designing and delivering inclusive, practical training that supports wellbeing in complex, high-pressure environments.
Passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and able to thrive. She works with organisations to build awareness, confidence, and cultural competence around mental health and neurodivergence, using a warm, engaging approach that balances evidence with empathy.
Charles Etoru
lead trainer
Charles Etoru is a former wildlife officer from Uganda and maintains an extensive network within the East African conservation community. He has a passion for both the wildlife and the people who share these extraordinary landscapes and cares deeply about their wellbeing.
Underpinning his commitment to championing improvement in the field of mental health care and support for park rangers and wildlife protection professionals, Charles has a certificate and diploma in Wildlife Management from CAWM Mweka in Tanzania, a MSc in Natural Resources Management from the University of Leicester (UK), degree in Applied Social Studies from De Montford University and a degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Derby.
His combined training and experience across these fields spans three decades, and enables him to bring a unique, relatable and insightful approach to his engagement with others.
Sonya Willett
director
Sonya has worked in partnership with community lead enterprises in East Africa for over 15 years. Supporting livelihood development and access to education for the widows and orphans of park rangers in the DRCongo, and advising in-country, locally led start-ups in Uganda.
With a background in working across organizational and cultural boundaries, she brings 30 years of professional experience in organisational development, project management, and logistical support to the group. Sonya is qualified as a Mental Health First Aider and is the Chair of the charity Renew SCIO.
Hannah Boneham
CO-FOUNDER
Hannah brings nearly 20 years’ experience in organisational development, project delivery, and transformational change.
She is the Founder of Lead Well, a social enterprise consultancy supporting leaders to create thriving, people-focused workplaces.
With a PhD exploring how leadership behaviours impact wellbeing, Hannah combines academic insight with practical experience. She is also an experienced facilitator and TEDx speaker, known for her energy, warmth, and collaborative approach.
What We Do
We are united by a shared goal: to co-create safe, practical, and stigma-free spaces for rangers to explore their mental health and build tools for their wellbeing.
Raising Awareness
Providing an introduction to mental health and wellbeing via accessible resources
Training Delivery
Deliver mental health training and support for wildlife rangers in remote and challenging environments
Partnerships
Work in partnership to promote awareness and develop improved mental health and wellbeing support within the conservation sector
What We’re Working Towards
Sustainable
Embedding awareness, practice and support for wellbeing
Relevant
Grounded in language, context, and lived experience
Practical
Providing training and everyday tools that work in real-world conservation settings
Peer Led
Developing wellbeing champions within teams and organisations
Contact Us
We’re open to conversations, partnerships, and new ideas.
Whether you’re:
– A ranger or conservation protection organisation interested in receiving training
– A funder or NGO working in conservation committed to improving Ranger Wellbeing
– Or a fellow wellbeing practitioner or conservation educationist with shared values
…we’d love to hear from you.
Send us a message!
Use the form here or email us directly at hello@rangerwellbeing.org
Let’s explore how we can work together.
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