AND NATURE RESERVE
Staff & Trustees
STAFF
JIM HIDDERLEY
Chief Executive Officer
In January 2016 I took over as manager of the Wildgoose Centre from Noelle Wilson the founder and visionary behind everything that Wildgoose Rural Training does. I have many years’ experience working in the Land Based sector and with people who learn in a different way to the rest of us. My passion is to see the immense value of rural life once again playing a part in the success of our society. The skills and therapy that can be gained from working in the fresh air with plants and animals is so valuable and yet very underestimated. I hope to carry forward the vision of our founder to continue making a significant difference to many lives.
HOLLIE
Provision Manager
Hollie is a vibrant tutor who has the ability to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try new things or hone their existing skills. Hollie originally came to Wildgoose as a support worker with one of our students and she impressed us so much that we asked her to consider working for Wildgoose. This has proved to be a great decision as Hollie is now a key member of staff and loved by our students.
BEX
Schools Manager & Senior Tutor
Bex is a skilled tutor and manager, she has taught for a long time in the land based sector including Moreton Morrel College and Pershore College, teaching up to level 3 standard. She specialises in Animal Care and oversee’s the variety of animals here at Wildgoose.
ROGER
Wildlife Reserve Manager & Senior Tutor
Roger is the longest serving member of the Wildgoose team, he is very skilled in horticulture, wildlife and conservation. He is one of our Permaculture specialists, his calm and reassuring approach to our students helps them to feel safe and secure even when they are being challenged to try out new skills.
Nathan
Health and Safety Manager & Senior Tutor
Nathan one of our tutors who is a talented green wood worker and enjoys spending time on our nature reserve and working with his groups caring for our animals at Wildgoose.
JON
Pastoral Manager
Jon has a background in secondary and college education and joined Wildgoose to help individuals develop their knowledge and skills of practical outdoor work. Jon’s main role is to provide pastoral support to students to ensure they feel listened to and cared for. He helps students to remain calm and assists tutors if any of their students are having a difficult day or feeling anxious. Jon loves working outside with the different groups of students developing different areas of the site. He also spends time in the office ensuring student records are accurate and up-to-date and helping to welcome new students to Wildgoose.
Bev
Financial Controller
Is the real boss, she keeps her finger on the accounts and administration of Wildgoose. Bev has been with Wildgoose for a number of years and is one of the key people that keep us all running smoothly whilst never losing the human touch.
Vicky
Business Development Manager & HR Manager
Vicky has a wealth of experience from a variety of sectors, in her spare time she loves to play and coach netball and has a passion for doing agility with her dogs.
Ben
IT Officer/Administrator
Ben came to us as a volunteer after a period of illness, he started off not being able to manage half a day and over a period of time had built this up. Ben is now a full time member of staff, working on all aspects of IT as well as providing admin support. He enjoys everything Wildgoose has to offer and loves everyday he is here.
Karen
Development Officer
Karen works alongside Rob as a Development Officer with her main roles being fundraising and development of the charity. She particularly enjoys meeting with stakeholders so that she can share details of all the amazing work that is undertaken at Wildgoose.
Karen previously worked at another charity in Worcestershire for 8 years where she was responsible, amongst other things, for fundraising and networking and prior to that was a Civil Servant for 27 years.
She enjoys all sports and being outside so loves days where she can help with work on the nature reserve.
Rob
Development Officer and Support Worker
Having suffered from Perthes at a young age, Rob knows what its like to be limited physically and the barriers that disabled people face everyday as well as the psychological effects of missing a lot of school.
Rob is an experienced tutor having taught at Pershore College before starting at Wildgoose. He has a degree in Animal Biology and a Master’s Degree in Ecology & Environmental Management and also has experience running businesses as well as being an accomplished musician. Rob loves to support our students and share his knowledge with them as well as enjoying all of the varied activities that Wildgoose has to offer. As a Development Officer, Rob has helped Wildgoose to grow over the last few years writing successful bids and championing Wildgoose to new students, schools and the general public.
Helen
Community Outreach and Pastoral Tutor
Helen has experience running Forest Schools, and has also worked with adults with learning disabilities in a residential setting. Helen loves everything to do with the countryside and spending her time out in the garden growing all types of flowers and crops.
Jade
Tutor
As a tutor at Wildgoose, I have the opportunity to work with our inspiring students every day. I graduated from Worcester University with a masters in education to gain teacher status. I came to Wildgoose as part of my work placement and never left! I love working in the compassionate and enthusiastic environment of Wildgoose. I am a country girl through and through and live locally. I enjoy spending time in my garden and in the company of animals. I am passionate about rural crafts and being outside in the open air. I offer these interests when tutoring our students and support them to embrace the great outdoors.
Tim
Tutor
Tim has a wealth of knowledge regarding anything with an engine. Having worked in the automotive industry for 15 years after completing a Diploma in Auto Engineering. He then moved into social care, supporting people who attended Wildgoose and could see the amazing work that is done here and wanted to be a part of it. He started as a Support Worker, helping students on a 1:1 basis to get the most out of their time here. After completing a CEVAS qualification, Tim now runs a mechanics groups for our students 5 days a week from our onsite workshop.
Dan
Tutor
I joined Wildgoose as a volunteer in September 2020 after a move to Worcester from Cheshire and then began working as a one to one support worker with one of the students. Since then I have qualified as a tutor and now look after groups of students every day. I have a love of woodworking and manage the woodwork workshop and really enjoy seeing our students develop their abilities to use the tools in a careful and safe manner and making items to use around the Wildgoose site or to sell to raise funds for Wildgoose.
Alex
Tutor and Support Worker
Alex is a skilled horticultural tutor and has many years of experience, there is nothing more she enjoys then working with our students to nurture and grow produce for our students and café to use. She keeps our plant beds producing wonderful fruits and vegetables year round.
Sam
Tutor and Support Worker
Sam has many years experience working as a tutor and support worker. Her passion and commitment to getting the best out of the students that she teaches shines through everyday. In her spare time Sam likes to go horse riding and taking her dogs out for walks in the countryside.
Anna
Tutor
Anna has loads of experience of finding the best in everyone. She is a qualified social worker and has a passion to see peoples lives changed as they interact with the natural environment.
Penny
Tutor
Penny loves working at Wildgoose, and over the 7+ years of working here she has gained a wide breadth of skills and abilities. Previously Penny was a chef, however now she enjoys teaching students how to create various healthy dishes cooked from our homegrown produce.
Penny loves being outdoors, exploring new places and enjoy country sports. When she's not at work I am busy running around after her triplet daughters!
Sharon
Tutor
Sharon specialises in crafty activities with our students, including jewelry, modelling and a whole variety of other interesting ways to engage with our students.
Jean
Support Worker
Jean joined us as an apprentice after completing her qualification in animal care. She works incredibly hard both inside and outside of work, where she is plays for Wolverly Phoenix Ladies Football Team.
Annabelle
Support Worker
Annabelle lives on a tomato farm, and has a passion for all things agricultural. She has a wide array of experience working in the care sector previously. In her spare time, Annabelle enjoys spending time with her horses, gardening and enjoying the great outdoors.
Hannah
Tutor & Support Worker
I joined Wildgoose in 2022 whilst supporting my cousin and fell in love with all that Wildgoose is about. As I have supported someone with autism for many years, I have grown to become a skilled support worker and gained invaluable experience. I have recently achieved a CEVAS qualification, which has enabled me to tutor individuals with learning disabilities. In my spare time I enjoy baking and keeping fit. I run regularly and in 2023 successfully complete the London Marathon.
Ella
Support Worker
Ella came to us as a volunteer after her son attended Wildgoose. She is now a brilliant support worker, working 1:1 with a selection of our students. In her spare time Ella loves working with horses, shooting, enjoying the outdoors and spending time with her family.
TRUSTEES
Geoff Sansome
Chair of Trustees
Geoff is head of Agriculture at Natural England, the Governments adviser for the Natural Environment. Geoff has 40 years’ experience of supporting rural development and agri-environment initiatives, both in the UK and at International level. Geoff is a Nuffield Farming Scholar, Director of the Oxford Farming Conference, a member of the Worcestershire Chaplaincy for Agriculture and Rural Life and a volunteer for the Farming Community Network. Geoff and his family farm at Claines, Worcester, where they have farmed in the same parish for six generations.
DAVID SAUNDERS
Trustee
David is an architect by trade who is retired after 40 years in the construction industry. He has many years of experience in project management of complex projects from conception to completion including hospital design management and PFI design/ project management. David currently is a Parish Councillor, a board member of Healthwatch, a volunteer for Age Uk and St Richards Hospice, Vice Chairman of the Worcester Conservation Advisory Panel and a Committee Member of a regional charity for the Laing Family Charitable Trust.
STUART BROWN
Trustee
Wildgoose Rural Training and nature reserve combines my interests in caring for people with learning disabilities and sharing my interest in natural history, wildlife conservation and the outdoors.
I am a retired Agricultural consultant, with a broad based technical and financial background. My family are builders and I have built and renovated houses.
A former volunteer at the Monday Night Club in Worcester, I joined the Trustees as the move to the 'new site' was being planned. I am a keen naturalist and bird ringer.
Lynn Cartwright
Trustee
As a volunteer art tutor at Wildgoose I have had the privilege of supporting students and working alongside staff for the past four years. I am a retired primary school headteacher of 16 years, with over thirty years experience in education. Through this lens, I am always delighted to see the inspiring and caring environment created for students at Wildgoose. I offer to the board my leadership and teaching experience, including over 20 years as a member of governing bodies for mainstream primary schools, a local authority base for pupils with special educational needs and also a PRU/short stay school for up to 16 year olds. I hope lessons learned in these roles, coupled with my commitment to Wildgoose, can be of service to the students and community.
Helen Montgomery
Trustee
I am a full-time senior product manager in the marketing department of a medical device company, having spent all my career in sales and marketing roles. I am interested in all things nature and wildlife and particularly the benefits that these can bring to people. For me, Wildgoose Rural Training is a perfect example of how these things can work together to the benefit of the students and the reserve. In my spare time I am an avid gardener growing, enjoying and preserving as much produce as my garden can provide. I am also a beekeeper and have chickens. I am delighted to be a trustee at Wildgoose Rural Training.
Moira Terrett
Trustee
I was so pleased to be asked to become a trustee for Wildgoose. I was a social work manager for children and young people with disabilities in Worcestershire for over 20 years before I retired two years ago. The wellbeing of young people with disabilities and their families is a cause close to my heart and I know how important it is for them to have positive options and experiences once they enter adulthood. Wildgoose provides this by offering such wonderful opportunities for its students and it's such a joy to see them flourish, learn new skills and enjoy life. I hope as a trustee I can offer Wildgoose staff and students the benefit of my experience of the local authority and how it works, plus lots of enthusiasm for such a great organisation.
Brian Boswell
Trustee
Brian is a Chartered Accountant with over 40 years’ experience working for multi-national companies operating in the services, manufacturing and IT sectors, as Corporate Treasurer, Finance Director or CEO. He served on the Council of the ICAEW and also was a member of their Audit Committee.
He has always sought to work for the well being of children whether as School Governor or PTA treasurer. He also developed and introduced a business game competition for school leavers played in over 500 schools and reaching out to thousands of children. Wildgoose enables me to continue with that work.
Brian enjoys working in the voluntary sector and is trustee of two other charities.
He is now a Churchwarden and has interests in music, art, walking and gardening.
All of our staff, trustees and volunteers are DBS checked.
