Projects Coordinator

Michael came to volunteer at the secret garden in 2014. As a community education professional, he spent 28 years engaging communities through youth work, supporting drug and alcohol recovery, community mapping and as a nightclub chaplain. His DJ and dance passions have paid him to get the Grounded project going. He now coordinates all the Grounded projects and supports our community team.

Say hello: michael@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Skills & Learning Coordinator

Jonno has been growing his own food and volunteering on organic farms in the UK and Asia since 2012. His professional background is as a secondary school science teacher, filmmaker and restaurant dish-washer. He discovered the Secret Garden on his doorstep by chance and hasn’t stopped coming since his first visit in January 2020. Later that year he made the leap and quit his science teaching day-job to focus on permaculture education and design at the Secret Garden. He brings an array of skills, including teaching practical skills, designing permaculture systems and film making. When he’s not at the garden, Jonno is a stay-at-home dad to children Rowan and Digby. He loves cycling, sea-swimming and has an unhealthy obsession with compost and water butts.
Say hello: education@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Administration and Policies Coordinator

Karen joined Grounded Community in early September 2020. Following a life-changing traumatic car injury in 2018, Karen was initially looking for a local volunteering role that could offer her a sense of belonging and purpose, in an environment where she could help others and at the same time give something back to the community. Karen brings with her legal and administrative experience gained from her twenty year professional career as a solicitor.

Say hello: admin@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Volunteer & Funding Coordinator

Sharon has spent over 30 years working in the HR ‘people’ sector; engaging and developing others to reach their full potential.  She has extensive ‘not for profit’  experience and previously ran her own business within the social care sector which was supporting and encouraging inclusion for those with mental and physical needs.  Sharon joined Grounded Community as a volunteer in Nov 2020; a passionate lover of people, animals, and our beautiful planet, she wanted to address her current work-life balance and reconnect with nature and her community. Sharon was raised within a farm environment so it’s no surprise that her love of nature and the outdoors led her in May 2021 to fully commit to her current role with Grounded Community.  Sharon is our ‘GO TO’ person for all new and existing volunteers and will give you the BEST welcome and can often be found with one of our adorable rescue chickens in her arms.

Say hello: volunteer@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Chair of Trustees

With a background in international community development, project management and bid management within the construction sector, John brings a breadth of experience to his role as Chair of Trustees. John has been volunteering with Grounded since 2015, passionately employing his engineering talents and enthusiastic approach to help design and build our off-grid shack. He is keen to see Grounded Community become fully established and embedded into our local community.

Say hello: john@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Communications Coordinator

Say hello: comms@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Feed our Community Coordinator

Jen is the founder of Boscombe Community Fridge. She has spent the last three years supporting the Boscombe community, developing the project. In 2020 we combined the Community Fridge project with Grounded Community to create Feed Our Community. Jen’s inspirational and compassionate nature has grown this project, and connected and supported so many in our area. She is also a mum and Forest School teacher and brings so much more than her skills to the team.

Say hello: feedourcommunity@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Home Growers Coordinator

Say hello: homegrowers@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Community Composting Operator

Say hello: composting@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Grounded Bee’zz Coordinator

Our Fred is a full time firefighter and a bit of a bee nut. He started bee-keeping in 2012 – it started as an interest, which turned into fascination then grew out of control into an obsession. This obsession is balanced by other interests like drumming, football, motorbikes and has always volunteered his time to good causes! He has a real desire to encourage others into beekeeping who may otherwise never get the opportunity.

Say hello: bees@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Socia Media Administrator

Aimee joined Grounded Enterprises in 2018 as a volunteer. A local artist and yogi, Aimee is passionate about sustainability, local community and food – growing, cooking and eating it! Inspired by nature, she’s happiest when outside and loves to grow food herself. With a heap of experience in hospitality, mainly playing with food or managing teams, she now brings our social media to life, works at the local yoga studio and has started her creative business as a paper artist. She’d love to host workshops inspiring others to boost their own creativity.

Say  hello: aimeefacedesigns@gmail.com

Feed Our Community – Projects Development and Evaluation Coordinator

Say hello: zoe@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Trustee

A trained teacher, John gained over 20 years’ experience in his local community in Berkshire, in children’s and youth work. He then took up a role as a National Youth Coordinator, until becoming a pastor in a non-denominational church setting in London. After relocating to Bournemouth, John joined Grounded Community as a trustee, and is continuing to do what he thinks is best for the next generation; endeavouring to emphasise the importance of community care, and of love and concern for our neighbour.

Trustee

Say hello: helen@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Trustee

Say hello: mark@groundedcommunity.co.uk

Trustee