For those who may not be familiar with your role, what does being a Senior Community Organiser involve?

To me, being a community organiser means bringing people together around the issues that matter to them and helping them turn their ideas into action. It's about building relationships, listening to people's experiences, identifying shared priorities, and creating opportunities for residents to lead change in their own communities.

As a community organiser, I don’t look to solve problems for people. I aim to empower them to work together, develop their skills and confidence, and influence decisions that affect their lives. Success is not just delivering projects, but building stronger, more connected communities where people feel heard, valued, and able to make a difference.

In my experience, effective community organising is about trust, collaboration, and creating lasting community cohesion so that positive change continues long after a specific project or campaign has ended.

You’ve worked in community development for five years, what brought you into the world of nature and conservation?

I've always had a passion for people and the power of meaningful conversations. My journey into community development began in a previous role with Codi Group, where I discovered how rewarding it could be to work alongside residents to create positive, lasting change.

One of the first projects I worked on supported residents to take ownership of their green spaces transform them into places the whole community could be proud of.  Through this work, I developed a real passion for creating accessible green spaces, particularly for those who may not have easy access to larger parks or natural environments . In Barracks wood Newport, we transformed a little piece of land that was a hotspot for anti-social behavior into a community garden that residents enjoyed spending time in. The residents wanted the space to be inclusive to all, so we took the time to listen to and understand the needs and wants of the whole community. Over time, the space developed into a sensory garden, incorporating features such as raised growing beds and sensory play elements. Using natural materials, we built spaces where people could relax, unwind, and connect with nature right on their doorstep.

What inspired me most was seeing families, neighbours, and communities come together around a shared vision. Watching people invest their time and energy into a space they had helped create, then seeing the pride and enjoyment that followed was incredibly rewarding. These spaces became more than just areas of greenery; they became places where people could connect, build relationships, and strengthen their sense of community.

What have you learned from your experience working with communities that you now bring to your role at Gwent Wildlife Trust?

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that green spaces are about much more than a space for nature. Having the privilege of experiencing nature in all its glory isn’t the starting point for most people. A lot of urban green spaces aren’t seen as spaces for wildlife. They might be seen as a play space, meeting areas for celebrations, walking routes to essential services or for some even as a nuisance. It is important that we demonstrate the way in which we can share these spaces with nature and how each side can benefit from the other. These spaces have the power to improve wellbeing, bring people together, reduce isolation, and create a sense of pride in local areas. By supporting residents to transform and care for their own green spaces, I've seen first-hand how nature can strengthen communities and improve people's quality of life and vice versa.

Tell us about some of the projects you’re currently working on - what are they all about, and what are you hoping to achieve?

Over the next 3 years I will be working on 2 amazing projects. Both projects are funded through The National Lottery's Community Fund and have very similar aims and ambitions. Both focus heavily on the importance of connecting people to their local nature and supporting them to support it. These projects will focus on working alongside those who haven't had the opportunities to experience nature in the same way many of us have. It will also allow us as a Trust to spread our work and reach into communities that we haven't had much of a focus on before, in turn helping to create a more inclusive vibrant culture here at Gwent Wildlife Trust.

Climate Justice Cymru is an ambitious new Wales-wide partnership led by Race Equality First, bringing together communities, universities, Welsh Wildlife Trusts and other organisations to ensure that climate action is inclusive and community-led. Over the next three years, we will work with communities in Newport to deliver nature walks, biodiversity projects, and outdoor activities that help people connect with nature and become involved in tackling climate change in a way that is relevant to them. As mentioned previously, this work will support communities that are often underrepresented in environmental action, helping to create a fairer, greener and more resilient Wales.

Action Asylum is a partnership programme that brings people seeking asylum and local communities together through practical conservation and climate action. This is a national project made up of a number of partners from the refugee sector, Wildlife Trusts, and local green partners. Over the next 3 years we will help create welcoming opportunities for people to connect with nature through activities such as habitat restoration, tree planting and food growing and other pro environmental activities. The project aims to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation, build stronger and more inclusive communities, and demonstrate the positive role everyone can play in tackling the climate and nature emergencies all whilst challenging the current narrative surrounding those seeking refuge in the UK.

Why is it so important that local people are involved in protecting and caring for nature?

It's important that local people are involved in protecting and caring for nature because they are the people who use, value, and experience those spaces every day. When communities are actively involved, they develop a stronger sense of ownership and connection to their local environment, which makes conservation efforts more sustainable in the long term. Involving local people also helps ensure that projects reflect the needs of the community while delivering benefits for wildlife. Nature recovery is most successful when it works alongside people, not separately from them. By listening to local knowledge and empowering communities to take action, we can create spaces that support both people and wildlife to thrive.

What difference are you already seeing these projects make for local communities and wildlife?

We're already seeing a real difference for both local communities and wildlife. From a community perspective, people are developing a stronger sense of pride and ownership in their local spaces. Residents who may never have met before are coming together, building relationships, and creating something meaningful for their community. These projects help to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and give people the confidence to get involved in their wider community and the nature they share it with. Whilst working in the Underwood community, we spent time bringing nature into spaces that people felt comfortable in. We ran sessions in schools, community centers, and attended local activity groups.  I remember hosting a craft session with the local parent and toddler group, we spent hours crafting Christmas wreaths with the families. When we returned a week later, they couldn't wait to tell us about how after the session they ventured into the woods to find more materials to add to their creation. This might seem small, but many of the parents had never stepped foot into their local woods let alone forage materials. This was a massive win for them.

For wildlife, even relatively small changes can have a significant impact. Creating and improving habitats through planting at the local community centers, wildflower areas in the park and local schools are some of the simple ways communities are inviting in nature. We're also helping people understand the importance of biodiversity and the role they can play in supporting it.

What excites me most is seeing the connection between the two. When people feel connected to nature and have a hand in creating or caring for a space, they're much more likely to protect it and champion it in the future, especially the younger generation.

What makes you particularly passionate about working with underrepresented communities and ensuring their voices are heard?

I'm particularly passionate about working with underrepresented communities because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to shape the places, services, and decisions that affect their lives. Too often, the people who are most impacted by challenges are the least likely to have their voices heard.

I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside many of Gwent’s diverse and urban communities in areas like Pillgwenlly, Ringland and Liswerry. During which I've seen the wealth of knowledge, skills, and lived experience that are often overlooked. I've also seen the barriers that can prevent people from getting involved, whether that's confidence, accessibility, past experiences, or simply not feeling that their views matter or how relevant this work is to them. I'm passionate about breaking down those barriers and creating opportunities for people to participate in ways that work for them.

What motivates me most is seeing the difference it makes when people realise their voice has value. When communities feel listened to and empowered, they're more likely to take an active role in their community, influence change, and build stronger connections with others.

I believe the best projects and the best decisions come from working with people instead of doing it without them. Ensuring underrepresented voices are included leads to more inclusive, effective, and sustainable outcomes, and that's something I'm deeply committed to in my work.

Has working in conservation changed the way you see the green spaces around you?

Absolutely. Working in conservation and community green space projects has completely changed the way I see the spaces around me. I used to see green spaces mainly as places to relax or enjoy the outdoors, but now I also see them as vital habitats for wildlife and important assets for community wellbeing. I used to view these spaces as a nice thing to have, now I view them as an essential part of people’s daily life.

I've become much more aware of the small changes that can make a big difference, whether that's a patch of wildflowers supporting pollinators, a community garden bringing people together, or a neglected area that has the potential to become a thriving space for both people and nature.

It also made me appreciate that nature isn't just found in large nature reserves or across bigger landscapes. Nature can thrive in the heart of our communities if we're willing to create space for it. I've seen first-hand how even small, local projects can increase biodiversity, improve wellbeing, and help people feel more connected to where they live.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope your work will have on communities and nature across Gwent?

Looking ahead, I hope my work helps create communities across Gwent where people feel more connected to nature and empowered to take an active role in caring for it. I also hope that it will demonstrate the role everyone has to play and how nature doesn’t exclude anybody.

I want to see more people, particularly those who have traditionally faced barriers to accessing green spaces, having the opportunity to experience the benefits that nature can bring for their wellbeing, confidence, and sense of belonging. I believe everyone should have access to quality green spaces and the chance to shape the environments around them. Much of my work over the next few years will focus on supporting those from BAME backgrounds and those who have travelled to the UK seeking refuge. When we get it right, the impact this work can have on people’s lives is truly life-changing. Many of those I will work with might have experienced significant trauma and loss and I believe actively engaging in something positive in nature can not only support their wellbeing and recovery but allow those who might have left everything behind to create a new sense of home and belonging. Nature can offer a safe and welcoming environment to all, we just must put the right steps in place, so people are able to accept it. My work will be as much about supporting nature to thrive as it will be the people I'm working with. Giving people a focus and something that they can have control over in a world where they have majority of choices made for them can be so uplifting and healing. 

For nature, I hope the work contributes to healthier, more connected habitats that support biodiversity and help wildlife thrive. Even small changes within local communities can collectively have a significant impact on nature recovery across Gwent and the beyond.

Ultimately, my goal is to help build a lasting connection between people and nature. When communities feel ownership of their local green spaces and understand their value, they become passionate advocates for protecting them. If my work can help leave a legacy of stronger communities, richer wildlife in our urban communities and beyond, and a culture where people and nature thrive together, that would be something I'm incredibly proud of. One thriving, healthy home for all.