It’s All About the People

Denys Fell

I have been farming for most of my working life and feel reasonably competent, and have been fairly successful, at most things agricultural.

However, since my attention turned towards care farming, I have frequently felt out of my depth. To paraphrase a quote from Star Trek: It is farming, Jim, but not as we know it.

Fortunately two factors have come in to play that have made the Care Farm the exciting prospect it is today. Firstly a tremendous team of staff and volunteers bringing their talents and experience to bear, and secondly the much appreciated good will and financial backing from a variety of sources. Due in no small measure to these wonderful contributions, this social enterprise is beginning to fly.

Dr Rachael Fell-Chambers

Rachael is a volunteer Director of the Care Farm, mainly involved in strategic developments and also works full-time as a Senior Lecturer in Education at Bishop Grosseteste University. Rachael previously held a Senior Management post in a large Local Authority and, having completed the MA Educational Leadership and Management, has a keen interest in leadership within secondary and post-compulsory education. Rachael completed her PhD at the University of Hull entitled Care Farming, Learning and Young People. Rachael is a full-time qualified Youth Worker (JNC). In her own time, Rachael is a School Governor and a Trustee of the Make it Shine SEND Charity.

Kate

Kate Williamson is a HR Director at a Global company in Hull and has over 17 years experience in the Human Resources field. Previous roles have also included working in private and public Health sectors. Kate’s qualifications include a Post-graduate qualification in Human Resources and MSc in Strategic HR & Development.

Rachel

Hi! My name is Rachel and I have always loved the great outdoors; people usually say never work with children and animals but for me this is a perfect match! I am lucky enough to be able to combine my degree in zoology with my experience in working with children and farming to fulfil my role as Senior Education Worker.

In this role I have revised the educational offer at Densholme Farm and in November 2016 we obtained a Learning Outside the Classroom badge, which is a nationally recognised symbol of quality in farming education. With this Densholme Farm will have further opportunity to continue expanding its offer to schools and other groups.

Lesley

Lesley has worked across Hull and the East Riding as a nurse, drugs worker, pastor, practice teacher and community worker.
Having being involved with the care farm since its early days has enjoyed watching it grow and flourish and bring a lot of joy into people’s lives as they share in the farm.

When not working Lesley enjoys various voluntary work and walking their dogs with husband George.

Fiona

Fiona grew up on a Holderness farm, working there until her early twenties and then occasionally in harvest when needed. She feels her farming experience has stood her in good stead for life’s many unexpected events.

Fiona’s working life since then has included nannying, catering, housekeeping, HR and accounts amongst others. Following three years working on the Isle of Iona she she began to pursue a life of creativity.

In 2007 after art college she became self employed, working as a photographer and mixed media artist. She regularly works on community projects. Fiona has just completed the first stage of a life long project recording elements of the Holderness landscape through photography.

Working at Densholme offers an opportunity to draw together three passions in her life. People, the land, and on occasion, creativity.

Our Patron

The Right Reverend James Jones KBE

James was Bishop of Hull before becoming Bishop of Liverpool. He has returned to Yorkshire and is very proud to be our Patron. He broadcasts on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’. As a former Bishop to Prisons he believes in the power of human transformation and is convinced that engaging with the natural world is a sure pathway to flourishing as a human being.