Susanne Participant Engagement Coordinator (West Norfolk) Expand Susanne joins Greenlight after being a Disability Employment Adviser , supporting and empowering people with health conditions and disabilities to improve their lives through volunteering, training and employment. In her spare time she like to go on camping adventures in the countryside with her dog.
Hannah Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Hannah has a Degree in Biological Sciences (Zoology) and began working in Environmental Education after volunteering with her local Wildlife Trust. She now has over 10 years’ experience of delivering outdoor sessions to both children and adults of all ages. During this time, Hannah also gained her Level 3 Forest School qualification and worked with a lot of Inner-City London Children. Growing up on a small holding in Suffolk Hannah spent most of her youth outside exploring and experiencing nature at its best and it is this that inspired her to pursue environmental education as a career. The outdoors is where Hannah goes if she needs a break and to sort through thoughts and problems. Since working in London through Covid Hannah really appreciates just how important it is for everyone’s mental wellbeing. Outside of work Hannah likes to spend her time exploring the countryside either on Horseback or walking, on her own or with family. She can also be found in the garden reading with a cup of tea on a nice sunny day.
Alex Head of People and Culture Expand Alex is passionate about people - so HR was a natural fit for him. Alex has worked in a variety of HR roles including Recruitment, Learning & Development and as a Business Partner. These roles have been in employee owned businesses (The John Lewis Partnership and Riverford Organic Farmers), social care and in the NHS. Alex is also a Primary School Governor - supporting the headteacher and the wider governance board with strategy around people. Outside of work Alex enjoys spending time gardening, reading and watching the cricket.
Becca Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator - EHCP Tutor Expand Becca is passionate about people's relationship with nature and maintaining and nourishing our connections to the world around us. Becca has worked as a university lecturer in politics and international relations, a secondary teacher of geography, and a forest school lead delivering sessions for parents with young babies, toddlers, and secondary age students. Having taught in the classroom for over a decade, Becca believes in the opportunities for healing and learning that can take place by simply being, experiencing, and paying attention to our environment. On a personal note, Becca loves the weather in all its forms, and enjoys tracking the story of each day's weather as told by the clouds in the sky. She loves gardening, growing a range of plants, fruits, and vegetables at home, as well as taking any opportunity to be quiet and peaceful in the woods. As well as being outdoors, Becca also takes - almost - as much pleasure in retreating at the end of the day to somewhere warm and snuggly with a hot chocolate.
Chloe Participant Engagement Coordinator - Norfolk Expand Chloe previously worked for a homeless service, working in a hostel as a senior support worker and as an outreach worker. Out of work Chloe enjoys yoga, gardening and going for long walks with her fiance and seeing what wildlife they can spot.
David Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Originally from Wiltshire, David studied Agriculture at Newcastle University and has worked in countryside activities ever since. David spent 9 years in Peru and Panama on projects to help subsistence farmers to become more self sufficient and autonomous against the threats of colonisation and forest destruction. On returning to the UK he have worked as a teacher/ trainer at Otley College, as well as the Volunteer coordinator at the Museum of East Anglian Life- now the Food Museum; with volunteers and schools on the farm and gardens.David has helped with children's activities at Suffolk Wildlife Trust and has a keen interest in nature and the environment as well as a concern to protect our natural environment and biodiversity.His interests are walking, travelling, DIY, planting things and conservation.
Debs Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Debs trained as a Forest School Leader whilst working with children with special educational needs. She went on to become a Family Support Practitioner specialising in supporting survivors of Domestic Abuse and facilitating a Freedom Programme. This progressed to the role of Outreach Worker for Suffolk Rape Crisis and the facilitation of the Empowerment Programme. In her spare time she loves to walk her dog, meet friends for a cuppa and cake, paint, wild swim and values her time outdoors and in nature where she feels happiest and the most grounded.
Zara Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Zara is a qualified Forest School Leader and has worked as an Outdoor Educator since 2017. Following a few years of setting up and project managing a community volunteering project called ‘Mindful Mondays’ with The Conservation Volunteers (centred around wildlife walks, food growing and wildflower meadows), Zara identified the need for and set up her own outdoor education provision in South Norwich. Following the pandemic, the Scottish Wildlife Trust beckoned - where Zara delivered outdoor education for the award winning Cumbernauld Living Landscape project - targeted at a wide range of disadvantaged groups. Zara has returned from Scotland eager empower others to reconnect to their natural roots - by sharing her passion for working with the incredible restorative power of plants - especially trees.
Clare Participant Engagement Team Administrator Expand During Clare’s 30+ years of customer service, she has gained valuable skills and knowledge in various roles to prepare her for the job supporting the Green Light Trust administration team. She previously worked for the SEN team at Thomas Gainsborough School, here she supported the students in lessons which then progressed to the role of Work Experience Coordinator. This job gave her opportunities to network with local employers and she was able to complete her Level 3 in Health & Safety risk assessing to support this role. With her love of being outdoors and knowing how amazing the GLT charity is, she feels she has finally found her perfect job. Clare enjoys being in her garden, on the river kayaking and, in her campervan, exploring. She is a member of Sudbury Joggers and loves walking her dog Billie.
Caroline Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Caroline loves physical activity in nature for her own mental wellbeing, particularly: walking, running ,yoga, wild swimming and gardening. She is an experienced gardener and food grower, and has taught adults gardening, cooking, German, functional skills maths and functional skills English. Caroline is passionate about sharing her nature knowledge and skills with other people. She has a background in community development work, mental health and project management. She set up and managed a community garden at the library in Great Yarmouth, and also managed a community garden and hub called Community Roots for Norfolk and Waveney Mind.
Sam Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Sam has always had a deep love of the Natural World and appreciates the Healing benefits of Nature. She has spent much of her career working in both the environmental and educational sectors. Sam has an Environmental Studies BSc degree and worked for Natural England on 3 NNRs. Sam has worked in mainstream and BESD schools working inside and outside and mentoring students on internships. She enjoys walking, dancing and spending time with her friends and family.
Emma EHCP Tutor Expand Emma’s background is in education, having taught at primary and secondary level, worked in environmental education and been an eLearning project manager. Emma believes in the power of education to promote positive behaviour change and improve life chances for young people. She also believes passionately in the importance of close links to nature to improve wellbeing, build confidence and help people live fulfilled and happy lives. She is really looking forward to combining these together at the Green Light Trust.
Becky Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Becky is passionate about connecting with people, encouraging them to learn new skills and spend time outdoors in the natural environment. She is an experienced teacher both in the classroom and in outdoor learning environments. Becky has a degree in Environmental Conservation and has lead learning sessions within a local nature reserve. Becky has always been fascinated by wildlife and finds the beauty in all creatures, big, small and even creepy crawly.
Caroline Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Caroline has a BA in Leisure and in 2021 returned to University to study MSc in Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, due to her personal interest in wellbeing. Following counselling skills training in 2013, she turned to psychology to help people recognise their strengths, and help facilitate resilience and positive change. Caroline has worked as a driving instructor since 2017, as such she has been successful at building safe and effective coaching relationships and enjoys helping people overcome self-doubt, and anxiety, to reach their goals, and encourage them to bounce back when things don’t go the way they had hoped! Caroline has experience assisting forest school in a previous teaching assistant role. She loves being out in nature, enjoys walking her two dogs, kayaking, and relaxing on her boat. After many years working in a car, she appreciates the value and importance of being physically out and about in the natural elements. Caroline is SPARK resilience trained and Mental Health First Aider trained (2023)
Pam Counsellor Expand Pam began been supporting Green Light Trust as a professional volunteer counsellor in November 2020. As the value of Pam's support was recognised, she became a valued member of the team, counselling both staff and helping out with participants, in particular our women only groups. You can check out Pam's website here: Pam Evans Counselling
Tanya Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Tanya has been interested in the outside since she was a child playing in the local woods. Tanya completed her L3 Forest School training with GLT which led to her volunteering with GLT, to gain experience and confidence in the field before gaining a Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator contract in 2022. Tanya is passionate about helping others find their passion for the outside world.
Hannah Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Hannah joined the Norfolk team in 2022 after previously volunteering with us at our Strumpshaw Fen site. Hannah enjoys interacting with participants in the group and her experiences from her previous career in hospitality are a useful tool in engaging participants in conversation.
Neal Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand There have been several versions of Neal over the years from french polishing apprentice to ice cream seller at Felixstowe! Neal found his path in education and working with young people by running drug and alcohol awareness workshops in schools local to Bury St Edmunds. This then led to work with St Edmundsbury Youth and Community Team. In 2009 Neal joined West Suffolk College helping as assistant leader for the Prince’s Trust Programme, finding his niche working with “hard to reach” young people. Neal is passionate about combining personal development work with adventurous outdoor activities.
Jennifer Mailley Trustee Expand Jen has over twenty years of experience in crime research and control, and has previously worked as a senior analyst in the Crime and Policing Analysis Unit of the UK Home Office, as a project manager in South East Asia, and Programme Manager and later consultant for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. She joined the GLT Board of Trustees in December 2022 and brings expertise in helping the organisation to show its impact in an impartial and robust manner, so that lessons can be learnt about what works and what does not, and crucially why.
Peter Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Peter has a teaching background and joins us at Castan from Inspire Suffolk next month. Peter is passionate about education, physical activity and mental health. He enjoys discovery, adventure, creativity, and the journey.
Lea Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Lea’s initial introduction to GLT was as a support worker with Turning Point, accompanying participants in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse at Frithy Wood. After a period of volunteering with us Lea joined us full time in July 2021 working mostly with our SEND young people.