Meet the Mentors

Peer Mentors are recruited from the community and voluntary sector in RCT and can support groups to address their needs.

Richard Walters – Gilfach Goch Community Association

Richard is responsible for running projects within the GGCA, maintenance and upkeep of the building, staff supervision and project appraisals, and he’s keen to work outdoors.

Richard can support with:

• Garden and allotment development
• Partnership working
• Building management
• Project management
• Sourcing funding

Derek Cashmore – Big Bocs Bwyd projects

Derek has a background in horticulture and business and has been working with community groups for over 30 years. He has extensive knowledge of growing fruit and vegetables, maximising the use of tunnels or greenhouses and no dig techniques. Derek can support with:

• Advising on garden layout
• Plant propagation
• Plant variety
• Plant growing techniques
• Production schedules
• Generating an income stream from selling produce

Tom Addiscott – Down to Zero

Tom is currently working as a project Manager at Down to Zero, working with communities and housing to reduce their carbon footprint whilst improving the foundational economy. Tom is a Welsh speaker and he can support with:

• Co-production, engagement and consultation
• Social business governance
• Engaging communities through film
• Carbon calculation and baseline carbon assessments
• Climate change and carbon footprint

Kenneth Moon – Cymdeithas Tir Pontypridd Land Society

Ken is the Founder & Chair of Tir Pontypridd. He trained in Permaculture Design and Education and has worked on community-led sustainability for over 20 years. Ken can support with:

• Funding
• Land access
• Sustainability
• Business planning
• Lease negotiations
• Community engagement
• Partnership working
• Community growing and community energy

Scott Tandy – Newydd Housing Association

Scott is a Digital Inclusion Officer at Newydd Housing Association. He has a passion for making a positive social impact and has years of experience in delivering inclusive and innovative strategies. Scott can support with:

Scott can help with:

• Developing a digital skills plan
• Providing digital support and training
• Creating digital forms
• Creating digital content including videos, posters and social media posts

Lynne Davis – Welcome to our Woods

Lynne has been working in food systems transformation for over a decade. Lynne has founded a number of projects and businesses in the agroecological sector and is current chair of the Ecological Land Cooperative.

Lynne can support with:

• Strategy
• Developing your ideas
• Business planning
• Building teams
• Sourcing funds

Natasha Burnell – People and Work

Natasha has been delivering sustainability-focused community projects for the last 4 years, including developing sports and wellbeing groups alongside other organisations, and retaining volunteers to ensure longevity.

Natasha can support with:

• Community asset transfer
• Property renovation (quotes and project management)
• Funding
• Sustainability

David Healy – RCT Heroes

David has over 20 years of extensive experience with community engagement, charities and setting up and running an organisation. An exceptional leader who is able to develop and motivate others to achieve targets; David demonstrates a strong ability to manage projects from conception through to successful completion, and is a proactive individual with a logical approach to challenges, performing effectively within a highly pressured working environment.

David can help with:

• Assisting you to connect with your local community
• Finding and developing collaborative opportunities.

Daniel R. Townsend – Settled it Cymru

Dan is the business development officer at Settled It Cymru where he identifies processes, funding and scaling the organisation to meet the needs of the community.

Dan can support with:

• Process development
• Working with young people
• Project development and management
• Linking work to national and local agendas
• Outcomes setting
• Evaluation development.

Jennifer Hare – Manage Money Wales

Jenny has worked withing the charitable sector in RCT since 2011, founding her own CIC, Manage Money Wales in 2015. Her background is in accounting and finance, specialising in management accounting.

Jenny can support with:

• Payroll and bookkeeping
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial reporting
• Preparation of year end accounts
• Setting up and managing financial systems

Dave Williams – Reel Minds

Dave is the founder of a successful training company, specialising in designing and delivering training programmes. He launched Reel Minds CIC in 2022, securing funding through effective marketing strategies. Dave can support with:

• Marketing
• Increasing your social media reach
• Growing your organisation
• Organisational policies and procedures

Hannah Hitchins – Growing Space Pontypridd CIC

Hannah is a Creative Arts Facilitator and Director of Growing Space Pontypridd CIC. She has a passion for her local environment and improving people’s health and well-being through nurturing with nature. Hannah can support with:

• Organisational management
• Community development
• Fundraising
• Partnership working

Nova Barton – Dant Y Llew CIC

Nova currently manages a Not-for-Profit project and is a director for several local Social Enterprises. All of which have a sustainability element. She is well-versed in the area of Circular Economy and Sustainability. Nova can support with:

• Circular Economy
• Governance
• Business Planning
• Sustainability
• Funding
• Recruitment

Nina Finnigan – Bryncynon Strategy

Nina is the Coordinator for the Listening Project, combating loneliness and isolation among older communities. She manages a food poverty programme and a team of volunteers, recently gaining the Investing in Volunteers Standard.

Nina can support with:

• Fundraising
• Volunteering recruitment, retention and training
• Project management
• Developing programmes around food poverty and food pantries

David Harris – Grow Rhondda

Dave is a Coordinator at Men’s Shed Tynewydd. He has experience in partnership working, advocacy and social prescribing to assist in improving mental health and wellbeing.

Dave can support with:

• Supporting new groups
• Forming committees
• Strategy and planning
• Setting up and connecting networks