Caroline brings a wide range of experience to the position of Coordinator of MERCi. She has worked as a designer, editor, researcher, policy maker and environmentalist, in various fields such as recycling, agricultural extension, environmental education and sustainable development; both here in the UK and abroad.
Her first qualification is in design and communication, followed, many years later, by an MSc in Environmental Resources from Salford University.
She has spent time campaigning on human and animal rights and in her 'spare' time she helps run a Woodcraft Folk Group and a local environmental action group.
For the past six years Caroline has been the Executive Director of the Mersey Basin Trust, a water charity, also based at Bridge-5 Mill. She joined MERCi in August 2005 and shares/combines her role as Director of the Trust with her new role as Co-ordinator of MERCi.
Jemma joined the MERCi team in July 2004 by helping with the organisation of MERCi’s Ancoats and Miles Platting Summer Festival (AMPLE), “a wonderful day full of creative activities, great music and gorgeous food , the sun even came out !”. That was it Jemma was well and truly inspired , "this place is special , I can do good things here".
Jemma now occupies the role of receptionist and Hospitality Worker, welcoming guests to Bridge-5 Mill, dealing with phone
calls and organising the hiring out of space for workshops and conferences.
Bill Harrop
Transport Network for Manchester Facilitator
Bill's role is to support the voluntary and community groups across Manchester by seeking out any issues or ideas relating to transport and then assist to either resolve the problems or get ideas put into action. Bill works closely with the public bodies like the Council, GMPTE, NHS, Police etc, the service providers like the bus, train and tram operators, as well as the voluntary and community sector.
“I am a Manchester lad born and bred with a passion for people power, up till now my working life has been a series of warehouse, factory or driving jobs with a lot of agency working, never quite finding my niche until I got involved with the community network as a volunteer, this has given me an opportunity to see that there are lots of people working really behind the scenes trying to make life that little bit better for all, the beauty of working in the voluntary sector is that it is full of people doing the job because they want to, not because they have to.”
Tim McMahon
Transport Network for Manchester Facilitator
Tim's role is to gather the views, issues and concerns of The Sustainable Neighbourhoods Pool – a group of individuals and community organisations concerned with open spaces, housing, planning and all aspects of the environment. Tim feeds this information into the Sustainable Neighbourhoods Partnership Board, on which he sits as the community participant in order that relevant strategy and policy can reflect the needs of the people and environment of Manchester.
“Much of my work is making sure that the Pool is up-to-date with national, regional and local policy, community engagement in strategic consultation and compiling a Community Climate Change Strategy. On a personal note – I'm concerned about the system's obdurate penchant for money over the welfare of communities, humanity and the environment.”
Tim's background is Marine & Estuarine Conservation and Oceanography and specialised in the effects of climate and effluent on sedimentary invertebrates. His work experience is mainly scientific research but more recently worked for the Public Sector in Policy and Planning.
Beth Creedon
Project Manager - Herbie Fruit and Veg Van
Beth has a degree in English Literature, but soon found her niche, food, when she became a member at Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton, Manchester. She then went on to write for the local paper, give talks and cook, all around her specialist subject, wild food. She currently owns a successful organic food delivery business with her husband.
Having worked in sustainable business for over eight years, Beth now runs the Herbie project. She is in charge of marketing, promotion, and finance for the fruit and veg vans.
“ I am really happy to be working at MERCi and especially on Herbie. Making fresh, tasty and wholesome food available to everyone.”
Claire has many years experience working in the public and third sector. After completing a degree in Sociology and Politics she worked in the charity sector where she was Ward Visiting Officer for Hope Hospital Citizens Advice Bureau. Claire then moved into the social care sector as a youth worker and deputy manager for a supported housing project for socially excluded young people.
Looking for a new challenge Claire returned to education and completed a Masters in Heritage, Arts and Museums Management which then lead to her working as Access and Inclusion Officer at the Harris Museum and Art Gallery and most recently Creative Programme Manager for Creative Partnerships, the creative education arm of Arts Council England. Claire has recently returned from India where she was a volunteer Project Manager for Raleigh International, a UK charity supporting the personal development of young people through community, environmental and adventure projects. It was through this volunteering placement that Claire decided that her heart lies in environmental education and is chuffed to bits to be the Project Coordinator for the Sustaining Change Programme.
After completing a degree in English and Social Sciences, Stephanie has worked in the third sector for several years. Initially she worked as an project advisor for several national charities including working as an on-line agony aunt. She then moved to a local charity where she was responsible for recruiting and training volunteers as well as running a helpline service. She has also worked for the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) promoting recycling and waste minimisation to households and businesses.
Stephanie has a long standing interest in environmental and sustainability issues which she thinks started when she got her Blue Peter “Green” badge at the age of 10 after cleaning up a local stream.
As part of the Sustaining Change Project, Stephanie's role is to develop a network of community and voluntary organisations who are working towards sustainability as well as providing training, tool kits and support to help them achieve this.
I’ve always had a slightly worrying love for organising things and people so it made sense to combine it with my interest in sustainability and environmental issues. My background was originally in teaching languages and I think that education plays a key role in helping communities and organisations become more sustainable. In my spare time I am a member of the Manchester Friends of the Earth group and I have been trying to grow my own vegetables (with varying rates of success) over the last few years. Weather permitting I also try to go camping as much as possible.
Jenny Nelson
Project Manager - Environment Network for Manchester
Jenny coordinates The Environment Network For Manchester, which is a collective of groups and organisations working towards the development of a truly sustainable city. Members of the network are involved in a wide range of activities and issues and Jenny helps link them together, supporting their work with a range of services.
“Since I came to Manchester to study Ba. Economics and Social Sciences, I have been involved with a wide range of different voluntary, community and campaign groups that seek environmental, social and economic justice. From editing Mule newspaper, to being a Local Project Manager for 'Action for Sustainable Living' and supporting Climate Forum events, I have developed an understanding of the differing needs that these organisations have, as well as the incredible amount that they have in common. I am always keen to hear people's news, views and ideas, as cooperation and communication are key steps toward the positive change that together we can achieve.”
Ian Green has been teaching Information Technology (IT) in the community for several years; he was trained in many popular software packages and network administration whilst working for London Underground in the 90’s. He then left the world of paid employment and used his IT skills to run computer centres in various environmental, social and community projects in London on a voluntary basis. In this time he developed skills needed to engage learners from a wide variety of backgrounds in the community and developed a programme of courses to suit the learners needs.
He started working as the computer suite facilitator at Bridge-5 Mill in April 2003. His role is to run the suite and provide one-to-one support for local people in all aspects of IT and develop and deliver a range of courses aimed at all levels of experience.
He is currently researching open source, free software and is exploring ways to use it to try and put an end to corporate control of IT in the community and make the latest software accessible to all. He will run training sessions about this in the future.
