Our Trustees

Chair

Helen Carr

First appointed as a trustee in Sept 2020 and Chair in Sept 2021. I live in Faversham with my family, having had close connections with Faversham throughout my life. I fondly remember as a child wrapping up warm and wearing double socks in wellies for the Faversham Carnival, pockets stuffed with pennies to throw onto the floats. Since then, I have worked in a wide range of social care settings (children’s care and within the refugee field), followed by teaching in social care at both local Universities, now as a Principal Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University.  We often have Occupational Therapy students enjoying their work placements at the garden – a fantastic opportunity for the students to appreciate the impact of the garden on health and wellbeing, learning they can take into their careers.

It is an immense privilege supporting such a great community as The Abbey Physic Community Garden. I value the welcoming environment, the conversations and companionship, the flowers and foliage, and of course the Friday lunch, and being a part of this amazing space. This year, I am enjoying opening the garden on Friday evenings in August and the magical space this holds. My specific skills as a trustee are maintaining and improving our policies and governance and ensuring the garden remains a compassionate place where members, volunteers and staff actively support one another in an inclusive and welcoming community.

Secretary

Sarah Porter

I have known of the garden through work for a number of years and have always been impressed with how such an enthusiastic, dynamic group of people can manage to make a space feel so calm and welcoming.

Over the last couple of years I have spent much more time at the garden and have enjoyed meeting new people and admiring the garden in all types of weather (sometimes on the same day!)

I love being part of the wonderful dynamics that happen in one space, supporting the team with funding applications, sharing an amazing cooked lunch with members and always leaving with the feeling that it was such a pleasure to have met new people.

Treasurer

Philip Wayard

I have been asked to become Treasurer of APCG as the previous treasurer resigns this year after a 7-year stint. My experience is of public sector accounting, including a spell with West Kent CCG supporting mental health services. I have worked with various community groups over the years.

I am committed to the preservation of green spaces and support for individuals with limited opportunities to make the most of their lives, which the garden offers. I appreciate the gardening techniques employed by the staff at APCG, as well as the nice lunches made from their home grown produce.

Trustee

Andrew Ireland

Appointed as trustee Sept 2023. My family moved to Faversham thirty-four years ago. Our children were brought up and educated here and in one case born in the town. It is a vibrant and remarkable place and the Abbey Physic Community Garden is one of the jewels in the crown. It is a special place with so many of its members devoted to it. I have come to know it well in recent years.

I have enjoyed a long career as a social worker, much of it in Kent, ultimately reaching some senior management positions. I am a qualified social worker, enjoying a 38-year career in local authority social services. I have worked for many years in child protection and with children in care. I was Director of Children’s and Adult Services in three local authorities, most recently at Kent County Council. Following my local authority career, I have worked as a social care consultant, primarily doing improvement work with local authorities. In addition, I am Chair of trustees of Avante Care, trustee of The Caldecott Foundation, a governor of the Thomas Coram Foundation and a member of the Samphire Star Multi Agency Academy Trust.

Trustee

Imogen Tinkler

Appointed as trustee Sept 2023. A strategic partnership, fundraising and branding expert who has worked with brands including Co-operative Group, Clear Channel Arcadia, Lidl, Morrisons, NSPCC, RNIB, Walker Books, Mr. Men and Little Miss and Live Better With alongside many others. My favourite ever collaboration was a ‘Must See Event’ featured in The Telegraph. We created a multi-sensory story experience of Alice in Wonderland held on the banks of The Thames. It featured five creative areas to offer multi-sensory story experiences including the Mad Hatter’s Story Corner and The Forest of Talking Mushrooms with narrative provided by Michael Sheen OBE. 

Imogen has known the garden for several years, has a keen interest in foraging for food and has been key in supporting APCG staff members with our new data management system.