Meet the team

Our Team

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  Anna Gordon

  Centre and Partnerships Manager

  Anna is a qualified primary school teacher with substantial experience of managing a wide variety of environmental and outdoor learning programmes for charities and local authorities. She previously worked at the Hive over ten years ago as a tutor and now, following a significant refurbishment of the grounds, has rejoined in 2023 to manage the centre in its exciting new chapter.  

• 

  Emma Lewis

  Senior Environmental Education Officer

  Emma holds a Masters degree in Oceanography from the University of Southampton and is a qualified secondary Science teacher, with experience working in schools across Sussex. She joined our team in 2012, from a Field Centre in Buckinghamshire and has since gained over 10 years of experience working as an environmental educator here at The Hive. Emma leads the team of educators, ensuring a top standard for teaching at our centre.

• Donna Grove

  Visitor Experience and Marketing Officer

  Donna joined us Autumn 2023 and has a background in campsite management, with an extensive knowledge of health and safety, office and staff management, and recruitment. Donna has also worked in Primary schools for several years as a qualified Learning Support Assistant. 

• 

  Louise Horsfall

  Environmental Education Officer

  Louise holds an environmental degree and is a qualified Forest School Practitioner.  She joined the team in 2016, bringing her experience as an outdoor and environmental educator in the local area.

  Louise is driven by the desire to inspire the next generation of global citizens.  She is a firm believer in the power of direct experiences to generate lifelong learning and well-being impacts.

   

• 

  Abi Young

  Environmental Education Officer

  Abi joined us in Spring 2022 and holds a BSc Geography degree from Lancaster University. Abi has experience in both classroom-based and outdoor education from their time as an Education officer at environmental organisation TCV (The Conservation Volunteers). Abi recently gained work experience in Singapore as an environmental educator, leading trips across SE Asia in a variety of ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs.

• 

  Alex Williams

  Environmental Education Officer

  Alex joined the team in Spring 2023 and holds a degree in Zoology from the University of Sheffield. Alex joined us from the education team at Essex Wildlife Trust, where she delivered outdoor learning to school groups and families. She also has experience in the university sector, delivering a range of outreach and widening participation programmes to young people underrepresented in Higher Education. Alex is currently in the process of obtaining her Forest School Level 3 certification.

• Jo Whittaker

  Environmental Education Resource Manager
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  Poppy Flint

  Climate Action Outreach Co-ordinator

  Poppy holds a BA in Theatre: Design for Performance and an MSc in Education for Sustainability. She has over a decade of experience in running in-school sessions and advocating for environmental and sustainable education, for organisations such as Country Trust, SEEd and Waltham Forest based OrganicLea. She also leads her own arts-based sustainability education projects.

  Poppy is committed to supporting schools to embed climate learning and action, and to maximise its potential for the well-being of the school community and a flourishing future.

   

• Rosaleen Finn

  Sessional Environmental Education Officer

  Ros returned to the education team in 2023 after being a part of the Hive teaching team for 10 years since 2005. Ros is a qualified primary school teacher with a wealth of knowledge and experience in both classroom-based and outdoor education, with over 30 years of experience. Ros is also Forest School Level 3 certified. 

• 

  Paul Sparrow

  Grounds and Animal Care Officer

  Paul has rejoined the team in March 2022, having previously working at the centre from 2004 - 2016.

  Paul has a background in site services at local schools so may well be recognised by some of our younger visitors.   

  Paul said 'I've loved coming back to work here! There's something about the site that feels like returning home. It's always been a nice place to work and the people who work here are always great as well. Plus I get the chance to get outdoors!'

• 

  Jeremy

  Centre Dog

  A very im-paw-tant member of our team!