Who we are

A walled garden and vineyard where both people and nature can thrive
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Meet the team

A small staff team deliver Bridewell's recovery service supported by our administrative team based at the Walled Garden. Described by someone who knows us well:
madi
Recovery Service Manager

Holding the needs of the garden and those who work here alongside each other, spinning plates and seeing the detail. Drive and depth of expertise in mental health and horticulture.

julie
Deputy Recovery Service Manager

Calm, relaxed, ability to make the day look so easy. Including everyone, with compassion, creativity, and coffee.

leonora
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner

Horticultural expertise, creativity and kindness, bringing groups together, baking skills and humour.

pauline
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner

Calm, gentle, thoughtful and reflective. Expertise in social and therapeutic horticulture and considered reflective ability to craft supportive conversations.

Katie Underwood Profile
Social & Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner

Competent, experienced, seeing and celebrating the strengths each person brings. Brisk walking, garden produce gatherer, always ready with a warm smile.

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Horticultural Technican

Diligent, dedicated, expert, with a deep passion for the garden and natural environment, gentle, modest and welcoming.

Claire
Administrator

Organises and manages all Bridewell's admin to keep everyone that comes to the gardens on track.

rachel
Fundraising and Communications Officer

Enthusiasm and effusive positivity, film and literary knowledge and a dress sense to cheer up the greyest days.

ruth
Director

Calm, gentle, composure, ability to organise and make sense of everything. 

Meet our volunteers

An amazing team of volunteers give their time to support Bridewell's community. Read more about their experiences of volunteering.
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Cropped Heidi
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maria
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Meet the trustees

Bridewell's Board of Trustees volunteer their time to provide governance and support. Bringing a wealth of skills and lived experiences and with backgrounds in business, the charitable sector and health, our Trustees represent the community we support.
Stephen Marshall
Chair

A career in the university sector with expertise in governance and organisational administration. Stephen has held a number of trustee roles at educational and charity organisations. With an interest in lifelong education and learning and a strong belief in the benefits of social and therapeutic horticulture. 

Sandra Clarke
Treasurer

Enjoys the peace and tranquility of Bridewell whilst being in awe of the work done by gardeners, employees and volunteers alike. A wealth of financial experience working as Financial Controller in a multi-national group.

Richard Khosla Stevens
Trustee

Dedicated dog owner and novice pig keeper with a career in senior management in the publishing industry. Richard has served as Bridewell's Treasurer and now Trustee.

Heidi Black
Trustee

Heidi brings expertise in HR and has a great respect and admiration for Bridewell's work. Heidi loves spending time in nature, even better if there's a chance for open water swimming.

Rob Chaplin
Trustee

Dr Rob Chaplin is a retired Consultant in General Adult Psychiatry. He has worked as the Clinical Lead for Accreditation at the College Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and previously as a Research Fellow at the CCQI.

Danie Woodbridge
Trustee

Danie's background spans the Creative Industry, Local Government, Third Sector, Education, and Publishing. Danie openly talks about her lived experience of living with invisible disabilities, growing up in poverty, being a young carer, and later a parent/carer to family members with disabilities. Danie is passionate about inclusion and equity of access to education and work, so everyone can feel safe, valued, and find meaning for their lives.

Andy Varde
Trustee

With a background in engineering, over twenty five years in senior management and a board role in the Medical Devices industry, Andy brings a wealth of business, strategy, and governance acumen to the role.

Patrons and Ambassadors

Amanda Ponsonby
Patron

There is nothing better than having your hands in the dirt.  I'm a passionate gardener and enjoy sharing our garden with trainees and anyone who wants to visit. 

Bridewell garden and all who tend it are a constant inspiration to me.  It is true "Life begins the day you start a garden".

John Adams
Ambassador (former Chair of Trustees)

I love to tell people about Bridewell. This small patch of West Oxfordshire just keeps on giving. Inspiration, calm, healing, beauty, inclusion and friendship are there in abundance. I always find it a good place to be and find myself sharing its story at every opportunity.

Cropped Sue Stuart Smith
Patron

Gardening is unique amongst the creative therapies through the power of nature’s growth and in the extent to which it brings together the emotional, physical, social, vocational and spiritual aspects of life. Bridewell is an inspiration and I’m thrilled to be a Patron.

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Our mission

Recovery looks different for everyone, but with time and space, structure and routine, community and compassion we can find hope in recovery.

 

Everyone, whatever their mental health, should be supported to live a full and valued life.

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Our history

For nearly 30 years Bridewell has created a sanctuary for recovery within the walled garden.

 

Taking on the derelict walled garden in 1994, planting out a new vineyard in 2000, all areas of the gardens have been developed and maintained by people referred to Bridewell's recovery service. Read on for a more detailed history.

What we value

The garden offers a safe and nurturing environment. Supported by skilled staff and volunteers, sharing time with peers, in the calm setting of the walled garden.
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Hope

The growing season reminds us there is hope for the future
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Community

Inclusive, working together with compassion
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Routine

We know the importance of the structured working day
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Time

Progress takes time and space

Join our mailing list

If you'd like to hear news from the gardens you can join our mailing list here

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