The work of Sydenham Garden is delivered by a broad ranging group of approximately 60 team members. The majority of this team are support workers, working alongside co-workers (beneficiaries) to help them take part in activities and providing them with a safe environment to do so. Some of the team members in particular those with leadership roles, are listed below.
Jermaine Bennett, Head of Services & Interim Director
Jermaine has a background in mental health support work and care, and began his time at Sydenham Garden as Outreach & Development Worker. He is also a practising counsellor and psychotherapist.
Rose Pickering, Dementia Project Coordinator
Rose has a background in delivering therapeutic activities. As an artist, and having worked as an assistant physio, she brings a wealth of experience and creativity to the team.
Rosie Hollands, Dementia Project Deputy
Rosie volunteered with us for 6 years before becoming our Dementia Project Deputy. She is a horticultural therapist, and trained in arts-based reminiscence.
Charlotte Dove, Garden Project Lead
Charlotte is experienced in community gardening and therapeutic horticulture. She has successfully designed and delivered many community-based and therapy horticultural projects.
Lauren Goddard, Garden Project Assistant
Lauren started out as a co-worker at Sydenham Garden, where she found a love for horticulture, and became a volunteer in the Garden project. She is a gardener, and is involved in other community growing projects.
David Lloyd, Growing Lives Project Coordinator
David has a horticultural background and has spent many of his years teaching the use of alternative technology.
Jane McKay, Growing Lives Project Deputy
Jane brings a broad range of experience to her role at Sydenham Garden, including her work as a qualified horticulturist and her background in Psychology.
Sue Moye, Finance Officer
Sue is a chartered accountant and a professional gardener!
Sekha Hall, Environmental Education and Biodiversity Officer
Sekha was originally referred to Sydenham Garden as a co-worker. After a few years he became a volunteer and then in 2015 became a paid member of the team. He is experienced in the caring profession and has a wealth of horticultural and conservation knowledge.
Steve Prowse, Business & Premises Manager
Steve is an engineer by trade and deals with our events, hire of our gardens, corporate volunteering and general premises management.
Jo Vallis, Art & Craft Project Lead
Jo is a qualified Art Psychotherapist. She also has a background in education and community arts.
Verity Wong, Art & Craft Project Assistant
Verity is a ceramic artist and art teacher. She has a background in community arts and also has many years of experience volunteering on growing projects.
Rachael Tyndall, Outreach & Development Worker
Rachael volunteered on our Growing Lives project, before working as Garden Project Lead during Charlotte’s maternity leave. Rachael has a background in human rights and refugee organisations.
The Volunteer Team
When the project began in 2003, Sydenham Garden was run exclusively by volunteers, local residents and a number of staff from Sydenham Green Health Centre.
Volunteers continue to play the most vital role in leading and delivering our services to the community today and are very much at the centre of the team.
