Meet Our Team

At Five Acres Community Garden CIC, the team is the heart of everything. More than just staff and volunteers, they are mentors, motivators, and community builders, creating a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Whether someone is a long-term volunteer, a young person finding their voice, or a local resident curious to get involved, the team works with empathy and intention to bring out the best in every individual.

Through day-to-day encouragement, hands-on learning, and a strong focus on inclusion, the team fosters a nurturing environment where everyone is treated with respect and given the tools to thrive. They celebrate each person’s unique strengths, helping them take on roles that suit their interests, from growing produce and managing workshops, to content creation, events, and product development. It’s a place where skills are shared, confidence is built, and champions are made.

Now, with an exciting new development underway at the Brafferton site, the Five Acres team is taking things even further. This expansion is being designed specifically to give even more space for creativity, growth, and personal development, especially for the garden’s community “champions.” These are individuals who’ve shown passion, commitment, and leadership potential, and the Brafferton site will offer them a space to truly be themselves.

The new site will include areas for skill-building, workshops, creative media work, and therapeutic outdoor activities, all shaped by the people who use them. It’s more than just another location; it’s a platform for opportunity, designed to give people the freedom to learn, lead, and flourish in their own way, at their own pace. With the team’s continued support and the spirit of collaboration at its core, Brafferton is set to become a place where seeds of potential grow into powerful personal stories.

  • Director of Five Acres with curly dark hair, glasses, and a beige jacket smiling at the camera.

    Debbie Iceton

    Director

    Debbie is a Director of Five Acres and works tirelessly with Gavin to lead the centre forward. She is closely involved in supporting both the champions and the staff, making sure the organisation stays true to its values of care and inclusion. Debbie’s commitment and leadership help make Five Acres the warm and welcoming place it is today.

  • A man smiling while hugging a brindle-colored dog. The man is wearing a black shirt, shorts, and goggles on his head, outdoors on a gravel surface.

    Gavin Iceton

    Director

    Gavin is a Director of Five Acres and plays a key role in guiding the vision and development of the centre. He works alongside Debbie to support the team and ensure our champions have the best opportunities. Gavin’s dedication and hands-on approach, whether with site projects or champion activities, help drive the continued growth of Five Acres.

  • Charlotte Iceton

    Centre Manager

    Charlotte is the Centre Manager at Five Acres, overseeing the daily running of our services and ensuring everything is delivered to the highest standard. She supports our champions, families, and staff team, making sure the centre is a safe, welcoming, and engaging place for everyone. With her leadership and dedication, Charlotte helps Five Acres continue to grow and thrive.

  • Andrew Hickson

    Site Manager (Brafferton) & Head of Horticulture

    Andrew leads the way at our Brafferton site, managing the day-to-day running of the centre and supporting champions in all aspects of horticulture. With his knowledge and passion for gardening, he helps plan, maintain and develop the grounds while teaching valuable skills to our champions. Andrew ensures the site runs smoothly, creating a welcoming and productive environment for everyone at Five Acres.

  • ghh

    George Lee

    Brafferton Site Volunteer & Aerial Content Creator

    George kindly volunteers his spare time at our Brafferton site, lending a hand with practical jobs such as installing fences and other site improvements. He also uses his drone skills to capture stunning aerial shots of the site, which are used to showcase our work on the website and across our media platforms. His support helps bring the vision of Five Acres to life both on the ground and from above.

  • A man in a green hoodie and red gloves holds a baby lamb and feeds it with a bottle, inside a barn with straw and farm tools visible.

    Joesph Carrick

    Learning Mentor

    Joseph is the Learning Mentor at our Brafferton site, where he supports champions in developing practical skills and gaining confidence through hands-on activities. Whether in the garden, with the animals, or in everyday tasks, Joseph provides guidance and encouragement to help each champion achieve their goals. His supportive approach makes him a valued part of the Brafferton team.

  • A woman with gray hair smiling and holding a glass of champagne in a celebration or party setting.

    Sue Beadle

    Office manager

    Sue is the Office Manager at Five Acres, keeping everything behind the scenes running smoothly. She handles the day-to-day organisation of the office, supporting the team and helping to make sure champions, families, and visitors always receive a warm welcome. Her attention to detail and friendly approach make her an important part of the Five Acres team.

  • A woman with blonde hair smiling at a table set for a meal outdoors, surrounded by greenery.

    Donna Martin

    Fundraising & Marketing Manager

    Donna is the Marketing and Fundraising Manager at Five Acres, helping to raise awareness of our work and secure vital support for the centre. She promotes our projects through different media platforms and leads on fundraising efforts that provide new opportunities for our champions. Donna’s creativity and dedication play an important role in keeping Five Acres growing and thriving.

  • A woman with red hair styled in pigtails, wearing a black T-shirt and a green apron with small colorful vehicle patterns, standing against a white brick wall.

    Carol Jones

    Head of Cooking School

    Carol leads our Cooking School at Five Acres, where she shares her passion for food and cooking with our champions. She teaches valuable life skills in the kitchen, from preparing simple meals to learning about nutrition and food safety. With her encouragement and creativity, Carol helps champions build confidence, independence, and a love for cooking.

  • A young woman with wavy brown hair smiling, wearing a black sleeveless top and earrings, in a warmly lit social setting with blurred background.

    Billie - Jo Petch

    Learning Mentor

    Billie is a Learning Mentor at Five Acres, supporting all of the champions and encouraging them to engage in sessions while building confidence through meaningful activities. She also manages the Centre’s social media, leads on website design and development, and oversees Media creation and distribution, helping to share the story and vision of Five Acres with the wider community.

    Passionate about both care and creativity, Billie brings energy and enthusiasm to her role, making every day a positive experience for the champions.

  • Close-up portrait of a young woman with long dark hair, blue eyes, and fair skin against a dark background.

    Emily Jones

    Learning Mentor

    Emily is a Learning Mentor at Five Acres, supporting champions in their learning and personal development. She works alongside them in a variety of activities, offering guidance, encouragement, and a friendly face. With her positive approach, Emily helps champions build confidence, independence, and new skills in a supportive environment.

  • A woman with long dark hair wearing a purple hoodie with a white tree logo and the words "Five Acres" on it.

    Lauren Mouatt

    Learning Mentor

    Lauren is a Learning Mentor at Five Acres, supporting champions in their learning and daily activities. She is also actively involved in our creative enterprises, including 3D printing and T-shirt pressing, where she works with champions to design, make, and even sell their own products. Through these projects, Lauren helps champions build practical skills, creativity, and confidence, while also showcasing their achievements to the wider community.

  • A young man and an older woman smiling and standing close together. The young man has glasses, a dark blue athletic shirt, and short brown hair. The woman has curly gray hair, glasses, and is wearing a black shirt with a gold necklace. They are in an indoor setting with a brick and metal wall background, and other people are visible in the background.

    Wendy Etheridge

    Our Wonderful Volunteer

    Wendy is one of our wonderful volunteers who gives her spare time to support champions at Five Acres. She runs engaging music workshops and also helps with English and maths, providing fun and creative ways for champions to learn and grow. Wendy’s kindness, patience, and dedication make a real difference, and we are so grateful for the time and energy she brings to the centre.