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.

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

Suzanne (Suz) Wood

I am the Head of Population Health at the British Medical Association, leading a small policy
team seeking to influence Government policy to improve the health and wellbeing of people
in the UK, including through tackling issues such as smoking, alcohol and drug misuse,
climate change and improving mental health. Before this I worked at the Health Foundation,
a large, endowed charity and think tank and I have experience in grant making to small and
large organisations looking to improve health and healthcare. I am most proud of the work I
did during Covid to deliver several large donations from the Health Foundation to
organisations supporting those most impacted by the pandemic, including women and
children and people from ethnic minority communities.
I am originally from Australia and I have a background in law and policy, including working
for a parliamentary committee and for the Attorney-General’s department. I left Australia in
2001 to travel in Europe and ended up living in Cork, Ireland before moving to London in

I moved to Faversham in 2015 with my husband, Ben and my son, Jude, who is now
12.
I still remember first discovering the Abbey Community Physic Garden and being amazed
by its beauty and tranquillity. We loved spending time here with our son and we have lots of
lovely memories of visiting here, attending events and meeting lots of lovely members who
were always happy to chat. I really believe in the importance of nature and green space for
wellbeing and mental health and I am really looking forward to working with the staff,
members and other trustees to support the great work you do.

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.

Trustee

Kate Bowman

I have worked in various Human Resources (HR) for nearly 30 years, including for Hovis,
DPD, P&O Ferries, Gatwick Airport and Amazon. My current role is a Human Resources
leader for a UK based IT software provider. My experience is generalist HR and includes,
Recruitment, Training & Development, Wellbeing, Inclusion & Diversity, Conflict Resolution
and People Processes and Policies.
I grew up in Canterbury and whilst I moved away for a while for University and work,
Canterbury is my home, and I returned to start a family. For the past 22 years I’ve lived in
the village of Chartham Hatch (between Canterbury and Faversham) with my husband Bob
and 3 boys (Owen, Isaac and Alfie). I’m a keen gardener and spent many happy hours in my
childhood helping my late father on his allotment. I value the benefits being outdoors and
gardening brings to my health and wellbeing and when I’m not watching one of my boys
playing cricket, you’ll find me pottering in my garden enjoying one of my favourite ways to
escape and unwind.
I was delighted to be asked to join the Board as the new HR trustee. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed
spending time at the garden over the past few months getting to know members and staff,
who have been very welcoming. APCG is a special place and I’m privileged to be given the
opportunity to be part of its future.