PLOT 22 is many people!
Here are the core team:
JenNie Smith - TRustee & Project LEAD
I first came to Plot 22 just a couple of weeks after moving to Brighton in October 2013. I instantly felt at home there and volunteered regularly for several years. I became a Trustee in 2016 and started co-hosting sessions in 2019, starting with D.I.G and Grow&Play. I now co-host every Tuesday and am project lead for the family-friendly Nature Discovery sessions, as well as occasionally facilitating other projects when needed. I love the variety of the sessions, workshops and people that make up PLOT 22 and the almost infinite ability of the site to allow us all to share our skills and interests. I did a two year course in Countryside Management at Plumpton from 2018 to 2020 and love to bring my experience of that world into sessions (both child and adult-friendly ones!) and also love working with the volunteers to make lunch with our own harvests on Tuesdays
JANET TIbble - CORE volunteer
Five years ago I decided to dedicate time to volunteering, I chose plot 22 but really, it chose me. Since that time I have added to the list of my abilities: bath bomb making to looking after plot bees! We grow, cook and eat our harvest whilst having lively discussion. Each session bringing its own interests and sometimes, challenges which is, for me, just great
ALISon Whitehead - Thyme & Space Project Lead
I have a background in social services and the probation service. I was a trainer for many years and have worked extensively within the field of domestic and sexual abuse. I first came to Plot 22 in 2015 aS a VOLUNTEER looking for a shared gardening experience. I co-founded the Thyme and Space women’s project at the plot and also now co-host another weekly session for women and a weekly session for inpatients from a local hospital. I enjoy sharing the garden and helping people to relax and be in the moment. Cooking and sharing lunches outside is a particular joy.
DEE MAcDonald - DIG Coordinator & Co-host
I HAVE A PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE BENEFITS THAT BEING IN NATURE CAN BRING. I VOLUNTEER WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANISATIONS AND PLOT 22 HAS PROVED TO BE A FAVOURITE. THE CARING ETHOS AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH HAVE GIVEN ME OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE. I PARTICULARLY ENJOY MY TIME SUPPORTING OLDER PEOPLE AND THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA TO ACCESS NATURE. HAVING BEGUN AS A SUPPORT VOLUNTEER, I HAVE MOVED TO CO-FACILITATING GROUPS AND MORE RECENTLY SUPPORTING THE ORGANISATION WITH CO-ORDINATION ACROSS ALL PROJECTS.
Vanessa Mayor - Treasurer & Trustee
Although not on the Weald site, I am an allotment holder and know first hand the benefits that come with growing and horticulture. I have a strong belief that too many people have been disconnected from nature and community, and need to be introduced back into both. So when I learned that Plot22 needed a new treasurer, I knew it was time to put my money where my mouth is. My background in finance allows me to do so. Visiting the site and meeting the people involved in this charity confimed to me that I am part of something very special.
RITA GArNER - Thyme & Space/Taster Sessions PROJECT LEAD
I have worked as a community pharmacist and then a senior manager in the NHS and Adult Social Care. I also work as a coach and facilitator with the Recess College with individuals and small groups. I am a Director of Brighton and Hove Community Land Trust. I have had an allotment for more than 10 years. I want to support people to get involved in gardening and cooking together, getting people closer to the the land and the food we eat. Being outdoors in good company is the best medicine!
Harriet Anderson - CORE VOlunteer
When I moved to Brighton a few years ago I knew I wanted to spend more time being active outdoors and develop a different relationship to the land than I had had before. Plot 22 has given me that and much more. I've discovered that caring for a shared, beautiful space is also one of the most peaceful ways of connecting with other people. And I've learnt quite a few practical skills as well.
Lynne Christine Ridden - TRUSTEE
I AM a Chartered Occupational/Organisational Psychologist and an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist/Eco Therapist with over thirty years experience of working with individuals, groups and organisations. I DESCRIBE MY WORK as ’simply elemental’ providing a robust relaxed environment for learning, creating and relating naturally. MY PAssion is supporting MY clients to establish a natural balance and rhythm in both their personal and professional lives, as a way of supporting wellbeing and encouraging their full creative potential to unfold with ease. This is THE APPROACH I BRINg TO PLOT 22 (initially Supporting as a mentor for several years) prior to becoming a trustee. It is an honour to be part of this much respected community project. I aM also a beekeeper, poet and celebrant.
Jan Wallis - Growing Together Project c0-Host & Session Facilitator
My passion for Nature is strongly rooted from my upbringing in a family who love gardening, walking and camping. Through many years of Hospice nursing I was convinced of the benefits of green space and the outdoors in alleviating anxiety and distress. I set up a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture group in Martlets and witnessed the benefits to a wide range of people. I love the magic of Plot 22. People seem to get just what they need whether digging, connecting with others or sitting quietly under the Cherry tree. I’m looking forward very much to many more years working alongside the inspiring people of Plot 22. I believe that Nature really does nurture.
CharloTTe EVANS - TrusTee and Workshop host
I have been a friend of PLOT 22 since 2016, when I set up DIG (Dementia Inclusive Gardening) alongside plot founder Emma. Since then I have also had the joy of hosting Quiet Garden sessions at the plot, as well as occasional workshops including creative approaches to living with dementia. Beyond the plot, I run a collection of projects under the banner of Story Chaplain. I HAVE RecenTLY joiniED the PLOT 22 trustee team, and look forward to supporting the plot in this way.
Nicola Keen - CORE Volunteer
Working in an office I VALUE THE chance to get away from the screens in a quiet, unhurried and welcoming place. Each visit is different, whether it's the seasons changing, something new to harvest, developing a skill or craft, or meeting different people. behind the scenes I ENJOY SUPPORTING THE PROJECT IN A VARIETY OF WAYS FROM social media TO site maintenance.
S|mon Rowledge - TRUSTEE
I have been working in Countryside management /Conservation for the last 20 years And have always had a connection to the outdoors. In my time as a ranger I have supported a number of community projects professionally so I understand the importance of groups such as Plot 22 and their need for volunteer support. I AM really impressed with the ethos of Plot 22.
Terry Clegg - Treasurer 2017-23, handing over to Vanessa
I learnt how to garden with my grandparents at aN early age. Even then I was getting to understand the value that being in contact with the environment has, and I have carried that with me throughout my working life. My background is varied and has, at times, been ‘demanding’, but wherever I have been in the world I have tried to get outside for at least a small amount of time, which has always energised and eased my thoughtS. I learnt about plot22 when I took on an allotment of my own and was taken by the commitment of the founder and volunteers. Volunteering to help occasionally was easy to do, as was saying yes when asked if interested in becoming a trustee. The work the whole team carries out is immensely valuable, and I am proud to play a small part in that work.
mARY HIll - Session Facilitator, GROwing Together
I’ve worked and volunteered in the charity sector locally for many years and became increasingly interested in horticulture and in particular growing food and therapeutic gardening and supporting others in a garden or nature-based setting. I began volunteering at Plot 22 in 2020, and more particularly as a support volunteer with Growing Together in summer 2021. In spring 2023 I was given the lovely opportunity to co-host extra Growing Together sessions with Jan and Dee. I currently also work at Landport Community Garden in Lewes, where we grow veg and fruit which are shared amongst volunteers, our local food bank and the community fridge, and I still volunteer at other food growing and therapeutic garden projects. I also work as a casual marriage registrar in Brighton and Hove!
YVONNE MCDERMOTT - session facilitator
I AM A FREELANCE LANDSCAPE CONSULTANT AND HAVE WORKED IN HORTICULTURE AND ECOLOGY IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND PRIVATE GARDENS AND NURSERIES FOR MANY YEARS. I FELL IN LOVE WITH PLOT 22 ON MY FIRST VISIT AND HAVE BEEN COMING EVER SINCE. I VOLUNTEERED INITIALLY, THEN HELPED TO SET UP THYME & SPACE And still co-HOST SESSIONS WHEN NEEDED. I HAVE DEVELOPED ANOTHER PROJECT OF MY OWN – FOREST MOONS – TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH TREE WISDOM AND MOON CYCLES FOR WELLBEING AND CREATIVITY AND OFFER WORKSHOPS HERE FROM TIME TO TIME. PLOT 22 HAS SHOWN ME THAT IT’S GOOD TO RELINQUISH CONTROL AND LET THINGS DEVELOP NATURALLY – ITS AS MUCH ABOUT GROWING PEOPLE AS FOOD AND FLOWERS. I HAVE DEFINITELY BENEFITED FROM THE SENSE OF BELONGING THAT THIS SAFE NURTURING SPACE GIVES US AND LOVE SEEING OTHERS FEEL THE EASE AND BREATHE MORE FREELY WHEN THEY ARRIVE.
EMMA HOULDSWORTH - FOUNDER/CEO
HAVING INITIALLY ESTABLISHED PLOT 22 in 2010 AS A THERAPEUTIC community PROJEcT, My ROLE NOW INVOLVES COORDINATING, supporting And DEvelopING THE ACTIVITIES OF OUR GROWING CHARITY and HOLDING THE VISION. I LOVE HOW SO MANY PEOPLE NOW CARE FOR THIS SMALL PIECE OF LAND, THEIR STORIES WEAVING TOGETHER TO BECOME PART OF THE PLOT 22 STORY.
Bunty Dann - Chair Of Trustees
I AM a Human Givens Psychotherapist. MY experience includes over 12 years managing a project FOr people affected by homelessness, developing and delivering workshops and courses for mentoring, coaching and getting back into work; learning the craft of Stand Up (very scary!); being a director of two social enterprises; providing business consultancy to creative businesses; providing arts project management with museum and galleries in the South; training as a youth worker; project managing youth audience development for performing art centres and training as an artist.
Christine Kavanagh - Former Trustee aNd Session facilitator
I was a Trustee and Chair of the first committee formed early in 2015 for Plot22 to go forward and successfully be granted Charitable status. My first involvement with the Plot was from the previous year through my work at Conway Court Children’s Centre, supporting a group of families without access to a garden, who were keen to find a growing space to enjoy with their young children. It was such a lucky and lovely gift for us all to find the welcoming urban oasis of Plot22. Since then, the original family gardening group of Nature’s Nippers has expanded and developed into the popular Grow & Play sessions led by local parents with a passion for children to have fun and enjoy being in a natural space while learning about growing their own fruits and vegetables. It is beautiful to see the continuing growth and expansion of the Plot itself and the many groups and individuals benefitting from such a precious community space as Plot 22. May it continue to “Live Long and Prosper!”
Hear people talk about their experience of PLOT 22 on our Voices from the PLOT page.