Nicky Participant Engagement Coordinator (PEC) - First Response Service (FRS) Expand Nicky has worked in a variety of role within charities, including befriending coordinator, community connector & Employment Support Officer working to assist people to overcome their barriers and find employment. Nicky is currently studying to become a Life Coach including NLP and CBT elements. In her spare time Nicky enjoys camping, gardening and cooking for friends.
Tina Business & Systems Manager Expand Tina joined us in August 2022, taking over the administrative and systems side of the Charity. For the last 26 years Tina worked for a software development company. Her role supported staff and senior management in the delivery and implementation of systems to customers in the public and private sector, ensuring risk and compliance was maintained. Tina is committed to applying values to support and promote the health and wellbeing of colleagues. With a love of gardening and baking, Tina has started to grow her own fruit and veg. In her spare time she enjoys waking dogs with family and friends.
Connie Step by Step Coordinator - Environmental Education Delivery Team Expand After completing her BSc in psychology, Connie began work as a teaching assistant at a local special school, then as a mentor for a local charity supporting young adults with learning difficulties. It was whilst supporting a young man attending GLT that she developed her passion for outdoor learning and the mental health advantages of working outside. Connie completed her Level 3 Forest School Practitioner Award with Green Light Trust in 2016. Having joined the Trust as a member of staff in early 2017, Connie has facilitated a variety of GLT programmes, as well as volunteering with the local Community Wild space Project Forest for our Children. Nov 2021 saw Connie promoted to Step by Step coordinator, our programme for young adults with SEND.
Ash Delivery Manager - Norfolk Expand After graduating from a Countryside Management degree in 2015, Ashley began volunteering at Green Light Trust's Project Wild Haven in Great Yarmouth. After joining the payroll in 2017 Ashley lead a variety of GLT courses and projects across Suffolk and Norfolk before being promoted to Delivery Manager for Norfolk in Spring 2021.
Bec HR Manager Expand Having previously run her own Complementary therapy business, Bec is passionate about the power of nature to positively impact mental health. She has been involved with Green Light Trust in various roles since joining the steering group for our very first Community-owned Wild Space project – 'Forest for Our Children' – in 1999. After completing her PTTLS course (preparing to teach in the adult learning sector) in January 2009 and her Level 3 Forest School Practitioner award in August 2014, Bec delivered a variety of GLT courses for several years working with all of our communities of interest. Bec became Office & Administration Manager and Company Secretary for the Trust in October 2018, completing her Level 3 CIPD certificate in HR Practice & Management in June 2020. Following the success of the charity and subsequent recruitment of a Business and Systems Manager in 2022, Bec moved exclusively to managing our HR department.
Jack Regional Manager - Suffolk Expand From managing all of the activity at our central Castan woodland, and in the East of Suffolk, Jack was promoted to Regional Manager for Suffolk in February 2022. Prior to working for Green Light Trust, Jack worked as an Arborist, advising on and carrying out tree management operations for a wide range of clients. His career experience also includes time as an FE Lecturer in Forestry and Arboriculture at Easton and Otley College. Whilst there, Jack taught both practical skills and arboriculture theory. Jack is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience of trees with others.
Andrew Delivery Manager - West Suffolk Expand Andrew joined our organisation after several years of training in Countryside Management, and brings a wide range of environmental skills and knowledge. From a part time role with the Trust, he stepped into his full-time remit in the Autumn of 2013. Andrew is responsible for the operational management of all programmes delivered in the West of Suffolk.
Bryony Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Bryony started as a volunteer with us in 2016, and received the Suffolk Adult Learners Health and Wellbeing Impact Award for her contribution to our work. With a background in working with Special educational needs, mental health and addiction, Bryony's special interests include mindfulness and nature connection to facilitate emotional and mental wellbeing for our project participants. Bryony completed her level 3 Forest School Practitioner qualification with Green Light Trust in Aug 2019 and Freedom project training in 2021. Bryony joined our delivery team in Sep 2018 and in 2022 was promoted to Volunteer Coordinator for West of Suffolk.
Kristine Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Kristine joined Green Light Trust in November 2020 with a BA in Outdoor Education, having taught environmental education and bushcraft for several years working all over England, as well as overseas. She is a qualified Forest School Practitioner, with a huge passion for our UK woodlands and loves to hug trees on a daily basis. Kristine is happiest in nature and loves to help guide and support others in entering this magical world of wonder and beauty. Constantly discovering, exploring and being creative. Kristine took on the role of volunteer coordinator for Central Suffolk in 2023 and Site Coordinator for our Castan Wood site in Martlesham in January 2023.
David Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator - AIR coordinator Expand After studying Environmental Science as a mature student, David left university without a clear plan of what to do next. David volunteered in various roles until one day he helped out with an environmental education group. At that point everything fell into place. After 7 years of working in environmental education, including two years spent running a Forest School at a school for boys with BESD, David found himself mostly working in an office, organising everyone else having fun, with limited contact to the people he wanted to help. In his spare time David likes to ride push bikes both on and off-road, race push bikes, go on bike packing trips, watch videos of other people on bikes, plan bike trips and talk about cycling to anyone who will listen. He's found it to be the most incredibly rewarding hobby for his mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Danny Delivery Manager - Children & Young People Expand Danny has a broad experience working with disadvantaged young people on Greencare projects and is a trained Forest School practitioner. Danny works with schools managing and developing our Natural Alternative programme as well as working as part of the team across general woodland courses at Castan Wood in Martlesham.
Jane Head of Participant Engagement Expand Jane has previously worked with disadvantaged, disengaged and homeless young people in both education and housing. She has tutored in subjects of literacy, numeracy and sport, and whilst in housing was an excellence leader in delivering and co-ordinating AQA life skills. Whilst Jane joined us in April 2020 as a Participant Engagement Coordinator for Central Suffolk, January 2023 saw her well deserved promotion to the role of Head of Participant Engagement. Jane is a keen gardener, allotmenteer and runner and fully embraces the health benefits, both physically and mentally, of the great outdoors.
Lisa EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan) Manager Expand Lisa's background is in further education teaching 16–25-year-olds with special educational needs a variety of subjects. Lisa has an interest in the natural world and over the last few years completed a BSc Environmental Sciences along with volunteering with Suffolk Wildlife Trust, with the aim of eventually working within the environmental education sector. Lisa joined GLT as EHCP Manager in October 2021. Outside of work Lisa enjoys walking, birdwatching, gardening, music and cooking.
Mark Pendlington Patron Expand Mark supports a wide range of organisations in Suffolk and has extensive experience of working across the public and private sectors including in industry, with local authorities, national and regional voluntary organisations, further and higher education, and in economic development with local enterprise partnerships. His current roles include being Patron of the Green Light Trust; Chair of governors at The Royal Hospital School; Chair, University of Suffolk; Trustee of the British Racing School in Newmarket; Chair of Trustees for the Diocese of Suffolk; and Non-Exec Chair of Cefas in Lowestoft. Mark is also responsible for promoting The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise to help bring well-deserved recognition for business excellence across the county. Mark is Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk.
Doug Field Vice Chair of Trustees Expand Owned by its members, over 260,000 of them, the East of England Co-operative Society is the largest independent retail business in East Anglia with more than 200 trading outlets located in over 70 towns and villages throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. As CEO of the East of England Co-op Doug protects and nurtures the member’s legacy for this generation and the next. Doug is passionate about living and working in the East and has previously been Chair of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of their Agri-Food Industry Council. He became a Trustee of Green Light Trust in December 2020.
David Farrow Trustee Expand With an extensive career for Barclays Bank, dating back to 1990, David has worked across retail, business and corporate banking. He currently Heads up the UK Corporate banking business having previously ran the International Corporate Banking division David joined as a Trustee in June 2016 and was Chair prior to Caroline Married, with two children, David is actively involved in a number of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives As well as playing drums in a local band, David is a keen VW camper owner.
Vivian Mushati Trustee Expand Vivian is the founder of See Your Life, an organisation working with young people to equip them with the knowledge and skills to manage who they are and their lives, and reduce wellbeing equalities, ultimately promoting better outcomes. She has experience in non-profits, education, youth work, and in multi-disciplinary settings, working with young people and vulnerable adults. Vivian joined as Trustee in December 2022. In a constantly changing world, having the necessary skills is an essential part of being able to meet the challenges of everyday life and thrive. Vivian is passionate about making a positive impact and believes in the power of nature and the role in plays in supporting and enhancing wellbeing and helping individuals move forward in life.
Alison Bone Finance Manager Expand Responsible for maintaining and developing the finance function of the Trust, Alison joined us late in 2018. Returning to Suffolk after several years away from the region, she has previously worked in the North East of the UK for a Health & Wellbeing charity. An AAT Qualified Bookkeeper, Alison has wide ranging and practical experience gained whilst working in different UK locations for charities, accountancy firms, as well as from running a small business with her husband. With a keen interest in the countryside and mental wellbeing, she is enjoying rediscovering West Suffolk and finding inspiration for her photography hobby.
Susan Executive Assistant to CEO Expand Susan joined in 2020 as PA to the CEO. With a degree in environmental science, Susan’s passion is the environment, and she has been a volunteer in countryside conservation, and at the country parks near her home. Susan’s career has followed the path of pollution control, working in project teams within the civil service, and later joining the water industry, first as Executive Assistant to a board of directors, and then as PA to the Director of Corporate Affairs. Her career highlights include working in project support for the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight; being one of the first to implement environmental management systems to equipment in service with the Royal Air Force; being hands on in compiling and verifying monthly safety, health and environmental reports across a platform of major capital delivery projects; and finally PA to one of the busiest people she’s ever met!
Will Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Will has been at the Green Light Trust since 2016, and works primarily in Frithy Wood near Bury St Edmunds, with adult mental health groups and excluded teenagers. He previously worked for several years as a bushcraft instructor, leading courses camping in forests with children and adults, including fire lighting, shelter building and practical carving, and has also been on training courses in Sweden, Namibia and Borneo. Since joining Green Light Trust, Will has completed Forest School training and become enamoured with the seasonal cycle of the coppice, cutting and clearing to leave space for the wildflowers, that give way to brambles that shelter wildlife, that in turn protect the returning tree growth. Seeing the woods throughout the seasons and nesting in woodland camps that make doing so a pleasure, Will loves making woodland furniture and carving useful things, as well as looking out for the muddiest and smelliest signs of wildlife. Will’s favourite time of the year is the first frost of Autumn, when leaves are at their crunchiest and the ice makes them sparkle in the morning.
Nik Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Nik is part of the Environmental Education team for the west of the county and works across all GLT programmes at and around the Foundry. Nik’s background is working with hard to engage young people in Alternative Provision. He has also worked for Autism Anglia.
Ian Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand When Ian left BT in 2008, Green Light Trust offered him some part time work, predominantly with building and grounds maintenance, progressing to assisting and mentoring with a variety of groups. Having lived in Lawshall since 1985, he has had a helping hand in many activities and groups within the village including being Chairman of the local primary school PTA for 8 years. In 1994 Ian and a colleague started the Youth Club for the teenagers of Lawshall, which they then jointly ran for 10 years. It was during this time that Ian joined the local Community-Owned Wild Space group, Forest for Our Children. He is still a committee member and volunteers at Forest for Our Children woodland work parties.
Simon Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Simon first came to the Green Light Trust as a participant before moving on to becoming a volunteer. He joined us in employment (on his birthday!) in March 2020. Simon has always enjoyed being with nature and has an afinity with connecting with the energy in stones. Being an avid pluviophile Simon can find peace and meditation in the rain, and is always happy to be out on a rainy day. Having previously worked in an office environment for much of his career, one of Simon's favourite sayings is: "Better a rainy day on a hill than a sunny one in an office".
Vicki Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Having progressed from a participant to a volunteer with us and then an internship and volunteering duties with RSPB, Vicki has grown in her knowledge, experience and confidence. Vicki is an important part of the GLT family and her role as Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator recognises how far she has come.