Tom Brown CEO Expand Tom joined Green Light Trust at the beginning of 2013 to manage the Heritage Lottery Funded "Restoring the Repertoire" project. Having previously run his own arboriculture contracting company; he went on to eventually run the Arboriculture and Forestry department at Otley College. Tom also has experience of writing woodland management plans, and has written occupational standards for a number of awarding bodies. A member of the National Forestry Skills Forum, he has recently contributed to the development of the new Forestry Trailblazer apprenticeship. After almost six years at the Trust, and with the full approval and enthusiasm of our Founders, Tom took over as CEO in 2018.
Lauren Shand Operations Director Expand Over the last decade, Lauren has been working with communities and individuals to achieve meaningful outcomes. Lauren has experience in running multiple contracts within the Welfare to Work sector managing different teams to support individuals back into sustainable employment and volunteering opportunities. More recently Lauren has worked in the public sector managing a team of community development officers who have a broad range of specialisms, working with both communities of interest and place. Lauren specialised in health, wellbeing and vulnerability, bringing the Voluntary and Community voice into the wider health conversation. Lauren has worked with a vast array of communities and partners to deliver projects that have value and impact. One example of this is LifeLink a project which provides health coaching to residents across the West Suffolk area and links people in with fulfilling activities in their communities. Great outcomes will happen when there is an opportunity for people to come together to connect, learn and be part of a community. Lauren strongly believes all of those things have an impact on health and wellbeing and can genuinely change lives and communities for the better. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys exploring new destinations, long walks, training her dog and spending time with family and friends.
Ciara Scallon Head of Partnerships Expand Ciara joined the trust as Head of Partnerships in Dec 2021. Ciara has worked in income generation in the charity sector for the last decade, laterally, as a fundraising consultant to SME charities. She is passionate about the healing power of the natural environment and, has been active in promoting the mental well being of Suffolk residents for many years. Originally from Ireland, Ciara has lived in Suffolk for twenty two years, and with her husband, has enjoyed bringing up her family in such a magical part of the world.
Tim Pons Finance Director Expand Tim Pons - Finance Tim joined GLT as a Professional Volunteer in February 2019. After attaining his degree, Tim set up a business, with his father, which included property development, restaurant and a chain of retail outlets across the South West. In 1993, Tim changed career and joined a major UK conservation charity on a short contract which ended up being a 25-year stint. A qualified accountant Tim was Head of Finance for 15 years leading a team of 35 and working closely with senior staff and trustees on a number of strategic initiatives. Tim and his wife recently completed a personal ambition to complete a self-build house. Now that he has retired, Tim's next ambition is to drive down his golf handicap to single figures! Tim’s connection with conservation and his personal experience of mental health issues have driven him to contribute his time to help the Green Light Trust. In 2021 Tim took up the fixed term position of Finance Director.
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.
Rebecca Edgar Office, Administration & HR Manager (Company Secretary) 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 and in June 2020 completed her Level 3 CIPD certificate in HR Practice & Management.
Mell Harrison Delivery Manager - Forest School Expand Mell joined the Green Light Trust in 2016 and has been facilitating Nature Connection work for over 25 years. She has worked with all ages and abilities, facilitating with the ethos of Forest School and the theories of Earth Education, Nature Connection and Environmental Education. After many years of environmental campaigning, Mell started to work within this field believing that if people felt re-connected to the natural world, they would more readily take an active role in fostering the sustainability of the planet. In 2014, she was shortlisted for Learning Outside the Classrooms national award for ‘Most inspiring Educator’. Mell was a co-creator/director of a small school, ‘Wild Meadows’, for home educated children. Together the parents and children built a straw bale building as a classroom, then developed the space and facilitated activities for families to learn together in a nature based child-led and child-centred way. In 2019 Mell was given Endorsed Trainer Award status by the National Forest School Association.
Andrew Brooks 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.
Jack Pynn Delivery Manager - Central & East Suffolk Expand Jack manages all of the activity at our central Castan woodland, and in the East of Suffolk. 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.
Ashley Parfitt 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.
Danny Thorrington 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.
Peter Foster Enablement Manager Expand A former organic farmer for some 20 years, Peter joined Green Light Trust in August 2014 facilitating a wide variety of our courses. Having graduated from Harper Adams Agricultural College in 1992, he delivered an on-farm training programme for children and young adults at risk of exclusion. This saw him win a Somerset Learning & Skills Council award. In late 2012, Peter moved to Suffolk, where he has focused his career on woodcraft and nature conservation. Having facilitated a wide variety of GLT courses with adults, children and young people, Pete now focuses on Enablement work, progressing some of our more long term participants into employment.
Jane Feasey Participant Engagement Manager 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, November 2021 saw her well deserved promotion to the role of Manager. Jane is a keen gardener, allotmenteer and runner and fully embraces the health benefits, both physically and mentally, of the great outdoors.
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!
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.
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.
Neil Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Originally trained as an actor, Neil has spent the last 8 years working in a variety of settings supporting and teaching individuals. Previously working with adults with Mental health and disabilities to help them engage into employment or education, Neil has also worked with young people, teaching both in a SEN setting and supporting college students with welfare issues and progression. He is passionate about the work Green Light Trust does in his community.
Blake Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Blake joined the Green Light Trust’s Castan Wood delivery team in 2021. His background is in primary education. Working as a teacher in schools in London, Essex and Suffolk. He is also a trained Forest School Leader. When he is not delivering courses in the woods he enjoys beekeeping, baking bread, gardening and making things out of wood.
Briony Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Briony joined the Greenlight Trust in May 2017 after moving to Suffolk from Hertfordshire. Previously she worked with Hertfordshire County Council as a Secondary English teacher, then for 12 years in Youth Support roles working with vulnerable teenagers and young adults who were disengaged or NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training). During this time Briony gained an NVQ4 in Support for Young People and a Level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance. A lifetime lover of the countryside, wildlife and conservation, Briony has had many volunteering roles with BBO Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Chiltern Trust and the BTO. In 2015/16 she studied part-time to achieve a L3 Diploma in Countryside Management, which enabled her to change direction in career and join the GLT Team.
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.
Lorna Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator Expand Lorna joined the Green Light Trust in March 2015 as an Environmental Education Team Leader and currently runs Woodland programmes at RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve. Prior to this post, Lorna worked with Suffolk Wildlife Trust for 13 years, running two education centres in West and East Suffolk. Having established solid working partnerships with key agencies like YMCA Training and MIND, Lorna ran tailored environmental programmes to encourage self-development and practical skills in young people.
Ryan Green Mentor (Wellbeing in Nature Facilitator) Expand Ryan is passionate about youth work and believes in the limitless potential of all young people. He joined the Green Light Trust in March as a Green Mentor, having spent the previous 7 years supporting young people in a range of roles for The Mix Stowmarket. Ryan is a musician and audio engineer and thrives when supporting others creativity. Ryan loves nature and the outdoors and is never happier than when in the woods with his son on a stick hunt.
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.