Trustees and Staff

Trustees & staff

 

Helen Osborn – Trustee and Treasurer

Helen is a founder member of the garden and is the treasurer for a number of years.

Helen is currently working Part time at Flo’s – The Place in the Park, in East Oxford.

She has had a varied career, successfully spanning primary schools teaching, complementary medicine and administration within the not for profit sector. For many years she was treasurer of the Parasol Project (inclusive play for disabled and non-disabled children www.parasolproject.org.uk) and also for the Big Green Gathering, one of the leading and most successful UK festivals promoting ideas for a sustainable lifestyle and future of the planet.

Helen is trained as a Forest School leader developing sustainable schools activities and supporting outdoor learning. She was a committee member on the British Massage Therapy Council for two years, developing professional standards for massage.

Jenny Crease

Jenny became a trustee of the garden in 2010 after initially visiting the garden and volunteering as a Garden Guardian. She works in the field of environmental education for a local charity and is a qualified and practising Forest School Leader and Playworker, working with a variety of groups from babies and carers to young people and community groups. She is an enthusiastic (if not always successful!) vegetable gardener and enjoys outdoor craft activities.

John Green – Trustee and company secretary

John is a founder member of the garden, a local resident, allotment holder and experienced organic gardener. He is committed to ensuring the garden is a locally managed and resourced ‘sustainable living’ project with a particular interest in developing our Solar electricity and hot water and traditional low impact buildings as well as managing the ongoing gardening and maintenance work. John was an energy advisor to Oxford City Council for 24 years and ran the Council’s Affordable Warmth, Health and Housing Initiative. A DJ, John has a life-long passion for music, promoting Reggae and Ska internationally via weekly radio shows.

Melissa Robertson 

Melissa became a Trustee of the garden in 2022 after discovering the space with her family and attending events at the garden. She found herself looking for a hands-on local community volunteering role post-pandemic, in response to spending more time working remotely and indoors. Her background is in the charity sector, having worked for several national childrens and youth charities, in programme, fundraising and design roles. Melissa loves being outdoors, working with children and young people, gardening and arts and crafts. She has held a range of voluntary roles including as a School Governor, at a homeless shelter, and at events. 

 

Tracy Walsh, Coordinator

Tracy has been the garden project co-ordinator since September 2023, managing bookings, grant applications and events.
Tracy also works in adult and trade union education, and is involved in Cowley Climate Collective.
 
Jane Wallace -Community Engagement Gardener
 
Jane joined the garden in April 2024 as the Community Engagement Gardener, she has been a self employed gardener for 2 years and enjoys ensuring green spaces fulfil their potential. Jane has a passion in engaging others in gardening and spends a lot of her week working with older adults in planning and maintaining their gardens. 
Jane’s work history includes working in the charity sector on projects in mental health and substance misuse services.
She spends her spare time on her allotment and looking after her small flock of chickens!
 

Who we are: Trustees & Staff, Partners & Funders, Projects & Outreach

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