Amie Andrews
[email protected]
07786 375 881
Amie manages our Social Forestry and Wellbeing Team. Her work focuses on health and wellbeing activities in woodlands across the UK. She manages the effective delivery of our social forestry and wellbeing projects, balancing the requirements of stakeholders from the health, environment and training sectors.
Amie also raises the profile of Small Woods, taking forward the strategic direction, whilst developing funding ideas to build the scope and breadth of our social forestry programmes.
Amie is an anthropologist by background with experience in teaching and project management.
Ceri Williams
[email protected]
Ceri has 20 years' experience in environmental project management in public, private and third sector settings with a background in conservation management, practical sustainability and community development.
Ceri is an open-hearted individual that deeply values working with passion and integrity. Working with Coed Lleol/ Small Woods Wales, Ceri takes much inspiration from developing mutually beneficial partnerships, living and working by Arisotle’s phrase ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’.
As a pioneer tree that easily populates new habitats and known also as Lady of the Woods , her favourite tree is the Birch tree which in Celtic mythology represents renewal and purification.
Chris Jackson
[email protected]
Chris is our Woodland Management Team Co-ordinator for Wales. Fuelled by transformational change, she has delivered events and projects for social and individual change across Education, Charity and Environment sectors for 20+ years.
Yurt life, nature connection and care, growing food, her partner and friends keep her on the move and connected outside of work. She's currently researching the impact of horse logging in the UK alongside her work for Small Wood
Kate Clements
[email protected]
07875 586 790
Kate has a background in Environmental Education, coming from a Geography teaching background. She ran successful projects in the Great North Forest before coming to work at Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales).
Kate is good at working and relating to people from diverse backgrounds, and loves being outdoors, mountain walking with her family, and travelling.
Her favourite trees are Apples, as they are both edible and beautiful.
Rosie Strang
[email protected]
Rosie has over twenty-two years' experience developing projects, networks and events in the environment, arts and education sectors, working with communities and organisations across the UK and Wales. Before Coed Lleol this included several years working with Llais y Goedwig - the community woodland network for Wales as their Network Coordinator.
Underpinning this work been an active interest in the natural world and sustainability – and how we care for this world, and each other. Locally living in the Dyfi Biosphere in Mid Wales this has been swimming and walking, as well as a new parent chairing the local children's forest group. Internationally this has been through volunteer placements in community forestry and wellbeing in India, Hawaii and Brazil.
Malou Hascoet
[email protected]
Malou is the South East Wales Coordinator, working on a range of projects across Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen.
Born and raised in France, Malou moved to the UK in 2013 after finishing her Master’s in languages and intercultural management. Since then, she’s been working in the charity sector, mainly running volunteering services to support community groups, adults with learning disabilities, people with dementia and older people. Making a difference is her biggest motivation and is what pushes her towards projects that have a direct and significant impact on people’s physical and mental well-being.
She loves learning new things, especially when it comes to nature and sustainable living.
Alison Moore
[email protected]
Starting her career in youth and community work, Alison spent time delivering outreach and centre-based and alternative education projects to young people. She then moved into education, leading an enrichment provision that developed and delivered a wide range of activities and opportunities to help expand young people’s experiences.
On moving to Wales (Pembrokeshire), Alison embarked on working in the employment and skills sector. As a training advisor who later managed a range of externally funded projects, she helped engage individuals and communities in personal development programmes for people of all ages and abilities from 16+.
Joining Small Woods as ‘South West and Central Wales Coordinator’ on a range of projects across Carmarthenshire, Swansea, NPT, RCT and Merthyr, is an exciting opportunity to bring together her love of the outdoors and her experience of supporting individuals and projects.
Zena Wilmot
[email protected]
01654 700061
Zena is part of the Social Forestry & Wellbeing and Woodland Management teams coordinating the woodland infrastructure and hubs stand of the ‘Outdoor Health and Green Infrastructure’ project.
As well as working for Coed Lleol, Zena works part-time for Llais y Goedwig as Network Facilitator. Zena has more than 15 years’ experience working in the woodland sector in Wales and has a background in research, woodland management and social forestry. She has a passion for sustainability and has worked at the CAT and Sunseed eco projects.
She is also a founding member of the Bodfrigan Housing Cooperative. In her spare time she enjoys foraging and making things out of natural materials. Her favourite tree is the rowan for its tenacity and bright red berries in the autumn woodlands.
Natasha Simons
[email protected]
Natasha loves art, cooking, aromatherapy and travel. After completing her PhD, she specialised in designing and delivering evaluation strategies for charities, educational outreach organisations and museums. She is also experienced in report writing and funding bids.
She has worked as the Lead Evaluator on several larger scale projects run by the British Council, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institute of Physics.
Her favourite tree is the Tulip Tree, because they are beautiful and remind her of her aunt who loves her garden.
Cathy Velmans
[email protected]
Cathy has 20 years experience working for outdoor and environmental organisations including Natural Resources Wales, where she designed and delivered nature-based training for professionals, Forest School courses and woodland education sessions.
She loves yoga, walking and being in the outdoors and also enjoys meeting and chatting to new people. Her favourite trees are Hawthorn for its beautiful flowers in spring and Oak for its strength and peace.
Hannah Kenter
[email protected]
Hannah organises our online nature connection courses and works in partnership with woodland leaders and third sector organisations across Wales to make this happen. She’s clued into research about the wellbeing benefits of time spent in nature.
Hannah has set up carbon saving training projects for students and managed a training advisory project for people experiencing homelessness. She has supported the development of rural and urban food and nature projects. Her training is in communications, counselling, and meditation.
An amateur naturalist, she enjoys volunteering at RSPB Ynys-hir. Favourite tree - moonlight reflecting from a silver birch is pretty amazing!
Claire Tuxworth
[email protected]
Claire loves being outdoors, going for long walks and exploring new places – especially woodlands! Along with helping to support the team in her admin role at Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales)
Claire runs her own art business where she combines her art practice with her love of the natural world.
Her favourite trees are Hawthorn and Elder because of the fascinating stories of folklore that surround them.
Pippa Hodges
[email protected]
Pippa is a market gardener and a student at The Centre for Alternative Technology. She comes from a background in child & adolescent counselling and is enjoying bridging this experience with nature connection and its benefits to wellbeing.
Pippa is interested in the ecological restoration projects, and how communities can become embedded in their success. She loves outdoor cooking and indoor movie-watching. Her favourite tree is the hawthorn, for all the beauty and nourishment it provides season to season.
Shaunagh Craig
[email protected]
Shaunagh supports our social forestry and wellbeing team by adding administrative capacity and streamlining internal processes and events.
Shaunagh has quite a varied life and work story with experiences in elite sport, education, conflict transformation and behaviour change / public health intervention design/delivery. She's deeply committed to transformational change, holding integrity, curiosity and community at the heart of her work.
She is currently a student and steward of a woodland in Monmouthshire, Wales, where she lives off grid with her family, is developing a forest garden, growing timber, and supporting her partner’s sawmilling and woodland management business.
Her favourite tree is the willow.
SHROPSHIRE
Rebecca Vincent-Evans
Build a Bench Project Engagement Officer
[email protected]
Rebecca (Beccy) is responsible for our Build a Bench project which is funded by the Building Better Opportunities project and runs at the Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale.
Beccy has worked in the education and employment sector for over 20 years and is a qualified tutor of adults experiencing mental health issues and unemployment backgrounds. She believes in delivering person-centred interventions to remove barriers and nurtures a growth mindset. She has experience in supporting people to recognise their skills, increase their confidence and self-esteem, and turn barriers into opportunities.
Vivienne Plank
Actif Woods Anglesey Programme Support
[email protected]
07932 924 652
Vivienne loves music and the outdoors. As well as working at Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales), she is an Assistant Manager in a gift shop at a busy tourist attraction in Anglesey, runs social media accounts promoting live music, and stage manages at festivals.
Vivienne hopes that one day there will be a Green Wood and Woodland Skills Centre in Anglesey.
Her favourite tree is Oak, as she has a relationship with a particular local oak tree.
Becky Brandwood-Cormack
Woodland Wellbeing Project Officer for Carmarthenshire
[email protected]
Becky loves playing outside, whether that’s trail running, mountain biking, wild swimming or a mindful stroll in the woods. She enjoys foraging for medicinal plants, bird watching and tree hugging. She has studied nutrition and loves tasty, healthy plant-based food to maximise her physical and mental health. Becky is passionate about nature and encouraging others to build their connection with the natural world in order to create a more harmonious and reciprocal relationship.
She has previously worked in leisure centre management and sports development, holistic wellness and is co-founder of the Free Hugs initiative in South Wales.
She can’t possibly choose a favourite tree as they are all so unique and offer us so much in terms of medicine, wisdom and beauty.
Cath Cave
Woodlands and Wellbeing Project Officer for Ceredigion
[email protected]
Heli Gittins
Woodlands and Wellbeing Project Officer for Conwy
[email protected]
Heli is the woodlands and wellbeing project officer for Conwy, in partnership with Golygfa Gwydyr. She enjoys spending time in nature and playing the ukulele. She teaches mindfulness (having trained with Bangor University) in a range of settings outdoors, in the community and online. She also works part time at Bangor University where she has been researching nature and wellbeing. Prior to this she worked in services for homeless people and as a countryside ranger.
Sian Davies
Social Prescribing Officer for ‘Trywydd Iach – Outdoor Health’
[email protected]
Sian is the Social Prescribing Officer for ‘Trywydd Iach – Outdoor Health’, a project that is being run in partnership by Coed Lleol/Small Woods and Ecodyfi. Her role involves co-ordinating free outdoor programmes, which aim to improve people’s health and well-being.
Sian is passionate about making well-being practices and green spaces accessible to all and is interested in the link between spending time in nature and how it can boost our personal and planetary health in many ways.
She enjoys practicing embodied movement outdoors in various landscapes and going out in all weathers for a walk.
Rebecca Hennessey
Woodland Wellbeing Project Officer for Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham
[email protected]
Rebecca has worked for over 25 years within education, health and the third sector with people with learning disabilities, mental health problems and young offenders. Rebecca helps to manage her local community woodland and is passionate about supporting the community to benefit from spending time outdoors.
Rebecca is also a music therapist, piano teacher and she enjoys many craft activities including processing, spinning and weaving fleeces.
Rebecca walked the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way in 2016 and she encountered many ancient trees along the way. Rebecca’s favourite tree would have to be the yew tree due to its longevity and ability to rejuvenate.
Chris Partridge
Woodlands and Wellbeing Project Officer for Gwent
[email protected]
07759 954 088
Chris covers the Gwent area which includes Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen.
Chris is a native Geordie but rooted in Cwmbran for over 12 years. He has a background in diabetes research and countryside management and has worked at BTCV Cymru and Keep Wales Tidy. He’s passionate about getting people interested in looking after their local green spaces for the benefits of people and wildlife.
Chris set up and still runs his own Community Group (The Friends of Henllys LNR) which over 10 years has transformed how this area is used and viewed by local people of all ages.
He doesn’t have a favourite tree, but if he did it could be apple tree as it gives nectar in the spring and fruit for people and wildlife in the autumn.
Melissa Dhillon
Woodlands and Wellbeing Project Officer Gwynedd
[email protected]
Melissa is enthusiastic and passionate about nature and loves spending time outside, especially in woodlands. As well as working for Small Woods, she is a freelance forest school leader and social forestry practitioner and works for a community woodland group as an Education Officer.
Her favourite tree is blackthorn in spring, birch in summer, maple in autumn and beech in winter.
Lauren Wood
Outdoor Health Project Officer for Gwynedd
[email protected]
Lauren is passionate about bringing nature and people closer together. She spent 10 years working in environmental and outdoor education for organisations such as RSPB and Field Studies Council and led overseas expeditions to places like Borneo before her body told her to slow down.
Life is now slightly more sedate with a lot more meditation and book reading but when she isn’t wild swimming, baking cookies, writing songs, or working for Small Woods, she runs a part time wilderness and well-being coaching business for women.
Her favourite tree is Beech for the beautiful colours.
Elise Hughes
Woodlands and Wellbeing Project Officer for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf
[email protected]
Elise is a project officer for Merthyr Tydfil and RCT and is responsible for delivering woodland wellbeing programmes across these regions.
Elise has a background of delivering psychological therapies and wellbeing interventions and is passionate in supporting others with their wellbeing and connection to the outdoors. In her spare time, she enjoys rambling, taking photos of scenic landscapes and meditation.
Her favourite tree is field maple for its rich golden-yellow colours in autumn.
Katie Barrett
Community Health and Wellbeing Officer - Lost Peatlands Project Officer
Woodland Wellbeing Woodland Project Officer (Job share with Suzanne Chapple)
[email protected]
Katie Barrett is a wildlife fanatic with interests and skills in horticulture, mental well-being, wildlife rescue and eating cake. She has a background in environmental science and working with people with disabilities.
Her favourite trees are beech trees, because their colours in autumn are stunning.
Suzanne Chapple
Woodland Wellbeing Woodland Project Officer (Job share with Katie Barrett)
[email protected]
Alongside her new Project Officer role, Suzanne is a freelance Forest School and Woodland Leader who loves helping people connect with nature and woodlands.
In her spare time, she practises yoga, is studying Permaculture and enjoys spending time in her garden and exploring different woodlands with her children and the dog.
Her favourite tree is the Hawthorn. She used to spend a lot of time sitting in the one in her garden as a child and still feels very drawn to them. She is lucky enough to have one in her garden too!
Richard Rees
Outdoor Health Project Officer for Pembrokeshire
[email protected]
Working in partnership with Coed Lleol / Small Woods Wales, Richard’s role as Pembrokeshire Outdoor Health Project Officeris being hosted by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum.
Alex Bowen
Outdoor Health Project Officer Rhondda Cynon Taf
[email protected]
Alex is passionate about nature and wellbeing, having worked in community arts and developed community wellbeing programmes across South Wales for many years, focussing on mental health.
She wants to share the benefits of getting out into nature with other people, especially those facing many barriers to doing so.
Alex loves walking and mountain biking and feels lucky to live in the South Wales Valleys on the edge of a mountain.
Her favourite tree is any tree she's lucky enough to get close to, sit under, and look up at the leaves and breathe.
Nico Jenkins
Woodland Wellbeing Project Officer Swansea
[email protected]
07902 523 567
Nico is a people person who loves walking her dog and swimming in the sea in the summer months. She has specialist knowledge in medicinal woodland fungi and an interest in woodland ecology and food foraging.
Before coming to work at Small Woods, Nico worked at a variety of places, including Bangor University’s Centre for Alternative Land Use, The Wallich and MIND Swansea.
Her favourite tree is Elder, because it gives us both Elderflowers and Elderberries.
