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 & 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

Senior Tutor & Health and Safety Manager
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 Tutor & Development Support Officer
Jon has a background in secondary and college education and joined wildgoose to continue to help individuals develop their knowledge and skills, whilst working in stunning outdoor setting. Jon has two roles at Wildgoose, providing pastoral support to students to ensure they feel listened to and cared for and he also works to develop new interest in Wildgoose to make sure as many people as possible understand the opportunities on offer.

Vicky

Business Develop and 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. 

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.

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
Rob began as a volunteer and has since become a tutor sharing his knowledge of animals and nature with our students. With proven skills and tenacity in championing Wildgoose Rob is also our project officer approaching a wide range of funders to help grow Wildgoose. He is the main person who visits schools, colleges and other stakeholders introducing them to all the amazing services and activities Wildgoose has to offer.

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
Jade works with several groups of students here at Wildgoose. In her spare time Jade has undertaken a PGCE to gain teacher status. She has always lived locally and is passionate about rural crafts, furniture upcycling and being outside in the open air. 

Tim

Tutor and Support Worker
Tim is another of our one to one Support Worker working alongside individuals that require a little bit extra support whilst they are here at Wildgoose. In his spare time, Tim enjoys restoring Land Rovers.

Dan

Tutor and Support Worker
Dan works one to one with a our students here at Wildgoose within a group setting, providing them with support throughout their day. He is new to Worcestershire having previously lived in Cheshire.

Andy

Tutor
Andy is a country lad through and through, he has spent many years working with young people to help them find their potential, he is also a qualified football coach and skilled general builder. Andy runs a group of students who restore furniture and make wooden items, he has a firm but fair approach that helps students feel secure.

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 is a skilled Tutor and has a wide breadth of abilities and skills. She leads a small group of our younger and more active students. Her skills in the kitchen, with crafts and rural life make her a valuable and popular member of the Wildgoose team.

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.

Tom

 Support Worker
Tom loves the outdoors and works one to one supporting our students. He loves getting things done and seeing the results of his hard work with students.

Hannah

Support Worker
Hannah joined our team in 2022. She is a skilled support worker working closely with a variety of students across the week. In her spare time Hannah love to keep fit and runs regularly, in 2023 she completed her first 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

Acting Chair
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
An architect 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 is a former governor of Red Hill C of E primary school and was a Non-Executive Board member at Worcester Community Housing Association from 2007-8. He was appointed as an Independent Board member at the Gloucester Housing Association in 2011. From 2011 to February 2014 he was a Project Manager for Macmillan Cancer Environments and is a member of the Conservation Area Committee in Worcester and a member of Worcester Civic Society.

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. 

Terry Gatford

Trustee
Terry is a retired bank official, a mother of 2 daughters and also a grandmother. She is a parent of one of our students and enjoys gardening with enthusiasm, rather than knowledge..

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.
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