As part of our Trustee Week, we speak with a few of our trustees to learn a bit about them, how they heard about STAA and what made them want to become a trustee.
Lydia – trustee since 2019
I got involved in STAA when I was an allotment holder and I saw all of the different types of great stuff that STAA did. I attended sessions that Lucy organised on Urban Nature, and got involved in some of the courses being run on site. I was looking for some volunteering that didn’t involve a commitment at the same time each week, and that got me into volunteering to give tours and talks about the history of the site, and also helping out on open days. Rob approached me about joining the board in 2019. I attended a meeting as an observer and agreed to join the board.
The things that I like about being a trustee are that you get to have a seat at the table when decisions are made about what the charity should do and how we do it. We make decisions together, so they don’t all fall onto one pair of shoulders. You also find that other people come at an issue from a completely different angles depending on their previous experiences, so you learn a lot. I think it makes us stronger as an organisation. We then get to see those decisions through over time, which is satisfying.
Dave – trustee since 2021
My name’s Dave Wood; there are lots of ‘Daves’ still out there.
I’ve had an allotment since 2012 I think and have dabbled with community allotments since, sometimes getting commissioned as a poet (creating written pieces for Pumpkin Day (scroll down on http://specialpoetry.blogspot.com/p/projects-and-festivals.html), other times, going on courses at STAA or working at the site as part of another course.
I’ve also worked as part of a scheme enabling those struggling with addiction enjoy the richness and therapeutic aspects of horticulture.
I’ve let my own allotment slip a little, erm, a lot actually; part due to my own gardening business (I’m now known as the poetic gardener); I also like to blame the weather.
I’ve been a STAA trustee for 2 years (ish); I try and attend as much as possible; I know it’s helping folks just by looking at the data and feedback. That’s why I do it; nothing to do with being called Dave, though..
A trustee since 2021
I love to be outdoors as much as possible! Possibly, since my job in healthcare research keeps me close to a desk. Be it wild camping up in the lakes, cycling in the peaks, or digging in my allotment – I’m there! I find natural light, fresh-air, physical-activity and birdsong great for the soul.
Up until moving back to Notts, I was a member of a community garden in Peckham for close to a decade. It was a huge part of my life and I met so many wonderful characters who I learned from and shared amazing experiences with. I particularly enjoyed seeing the delight on people’s faces when they came to the gardens for the first time, having never realised something like this existed in such an urban setting. I feel communities are massively important to our wellbeing, especially those with a focus on nature and food growth and there many parallels with what I was doing previously and all the amazing work that STAA have done for the community over the years. When I saw there was an opportunity to be involved, I jumped at it!
Being a father of a 6 and a half year old girl, I’ve seen the positive benefits first hand that STAA brings and I want to ensure that this very local (c 250 metres from my house!) project continues to go from strength to strength.
Once again, a huge huge thank you to all our Trustees for being such an integral part of STAA. Everything you do continues to move us forward and help us strive to be the best we can be for the local community.
If you are passionate about the value of green space in our community, we are currently recruiting to our board of trustees!
We are keen to build a board that reflects the diversity and expertise of the great communities that we work with on St Ann’s allotments. If you are interested in finding out more, visit our current vacancies page here.
