LINDA
Education and Community Gardener
Growing up, I was the messiest and bravest of my three sisters. It was me that went to the scary neighbours garden to retrieve whatever had been thrown over the fence, that came home covered in mud, or with the stray cat.
I grew up living in different countries and working for a range of companies. My scariest job was as a photographer in Mexico City, where I was arrested once, and shot at twice. Other jobs included getting paid to drive a train, fish for barracuda and write a speech for the House of Lords. I retrain and change my career every decade; it takes 10 years to gain mastery in a subject and learning well that just makes life exciting.
I transitioned from being a consultant in copyright to one of London’s only community cob builders. Through Cob in the Community we built many things across London using London clay, straw and sand. And after 10 years I retrained in Forest School and Social and Horticultural Therapy. I work with different community projects, charities and parks across London bringing people closer to nature. During lockdown I used my forest school skills to support refugees and asylum seekers, I then went on to support survivors of gender violence and now do with special needs charities. I love helping others connect to build new positive experiences through arts, flora and fauna.
In 2023 I became the Story Garden’s Community Educational Gardener, which I adore because I get to teach outdoors, garden, play with clay and cob and support people of all ages to gain new confidence and skills. Last year I trained as a clown, which keeps me brave and helps me entertain children and adults about plants and being vulnerable.