Jan Darrall Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist areas: Agriculture, common land, uplands, land management, research, water, environmental improvement grants and management of High Borrowdale, Little Asby and Mazonwath. Favourite things: chocolate, cake, open fells, swimming in lakes, dogs, gin and tonic and being outdoors in our fantastic Cumbrian landscape. Working days Monday to Thursday.
Alison Lax Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist areas: National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, access and recreation, woodlands, tourism, and management of the Helm, Mike’s Wood, Hows Wood, Sweden Wood, Greenbank Wood, Halfway House and Gillside Wood. Outside of work, I’m a keen swimmer, both indoors and out in the wonderful lakes and tarns we have on our doorstep. I also adore cooking, and am a dab hand with a sewing machine! I work 4 days a week, usually Tuesday to Friday.
Ruth Kirk Fell Care Project Officer part time Expand Specialist Areas: My role focuses on reconnecting people with the landscape through, among other things: our mass-volunteer Fell Care Days which highlight the value of our upland landscapes and inspire people to take part in practical conservation work to protect them; our Leader’s Landscape Training programme which educates outdoor practitioners about Cumbria’s upland ecology and the pressures on it; our annual rural skills competitions in Hedge Laying and Dry Stone Walling. Currently also leading conservation work parties at the Helm and woodlands. Favourite things: I always prefer to be outside rather than in, and can often be found road cycling through the stunning Eden valley or traipsing across the fells with my daft boxer dog, Zebedee. I work part time, 3 or 4 days a week if there is a work party. Days vary each week.
Kate Willshaw Policy Officer - 4 days a week Expand My specialist areas include energy and nuclear government policy and major infrastructure projects, the impacts of climate change on Cumbria’s landscape, sustainability, natural capital/ecosystem services and biodiversity. I also manage Friends of the Lake District's digital mapping system. Favourite things: playing the ukulele, weekends away in my campervan and outdoor swimming in rivers and lakes in Cumbria and France. In between I look after an allotment and an overenthusiastic border collie called Luba who really appreciates living near so many great dog walks. He and I can often be found up The Helm at lunchtime.
Amanda McCleery Overhead Wires Officer - 1 day a month Expand As the Overhead Wires Officer, my main role is liaising with Electricity North West, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty over their allowance (from Ofgem) to underground electricity poles and wires. Away from work I love trail running by myself and fell walking and cycling with my family. I work part time - just one day a month but I can look at emails in between.
Clare Hucknall Office Manager - 4 days a week Expand I am responsible for the ‘behind the scenes’ operational work of Friends of the Lake District, including: support functions/administration of the charity, Board of Trustees and governance; budget and finance monitoring; human resources; office administration; buildings and security; insurance; utilities etc. I’m a keen hill-walker and love nothing more than being on top of a Lakeland mountain and spending time with my family enjoying the Lakes – whether on a bike, in a kayak, in the water, or tramping up a track. I work part time, usually Tuesday to Friday
Dawn Groundsell Communications Officer Part time - 2 days a week Expand Specialist areas: Publications, public relations, website management, enewsletters and social media. I enjoy cycling, walking up hills, salsa dancing, and being outdoors as much as possible all year round, although I much prefer it in sunshine. I work part time, usually Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Cat James Finance Officer - 4 days a week Expand A keen artist and fell walker since childhood I share a love of the outdoors with my husband which led us to the decision to move to the Lake District in 2000. When I am not sitting in front of a computer immersed in finances and figures I still love to walk the fells along with my dog and sketch pad. I work 4 days a week, usually Mon-Tues and Thurs-Friday (not Wednesdays).
Sophie Hodge Fundraising Officer - full time Expand Areas of expertise: Grant making trust fundraising, legacy giving, donor cultivation, regular giving, event planning, running appeals. My favourite spot in the Lake District is the Langdale Pikes. They were the first peaks I ever climbed, aged eight, and I find them as awe-inspiring now as I did then.
Janine Bickerstaff Membership Officer - part time over 5 days Expand Specialist areas: My main aims are to recruit members for Friends of the Lake District and make sure all our members are made to feel welcome and valued. I love talking with members and am always impressed by their passion and commitment to this beautiful place. I love nothing better than tramping about the Lakes and Dales with my husband, two young boys and our dog Patch. Sledging in Winter and open water swimming in Summer are particular family favourites. I work part time, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm
Christopher James Communications Officer (Part time - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) Expand Areas of expertise: - Publications, public relations, - Website management, - Magazine and e-newsletter editor.
Emily Robinson Office Administrator - 4 days a week Expand Office administrator: My favourite activity is classical singing, and I love the outdoors. I can often be found combining the two, doing operatic busking in the streets of local towns.
Laura Fiske Planning Officer - 4 days a week Expand My work area includes responding to Local Plans, planning policy and planning applications in Cumbria which have landscape implications. I work with developers at pre-planning application stage to get the best outcome for the natural environment, landscape of Cumbria and the Lake District.
Rachel Damms Fundraising officer - 4 days a week Expand Specialist areas: I am primarily responsible for grant and trust fundraising and for our fundraising events. I also manage our merchandise and landscape gifts. I have come from a hospice fundraising background and love talking to members or supporters so please do get in touch if you’d like to talk about a fundraising idea or just to say hello. I moved to the Lake District in March 2017 from the Peak District so I am currently spending most of my free time exploring this beautiful landscape. I am passionate about travelling and seeing new places, and I’m looking forward to all the new adventures the Lake District has to offer for me. I generally work Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
David Evans Development Officer, Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes Partnership - full time Expand Responsible for the development and submission of the round two bid to the Heritage Lottery in July 2018 for the Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes Partnership scheme, on behalf of Friends of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and other partners. Born and bred in Somerset, and trained as a landscape architect, I have spent most of my working life in the north west of England although the past five years have been spent in the Avalon Marshes in Somerset. Outside of work I am a keen walker and occasional cyclist, and am enjoying exploring new areas of Cumbria. My sporting days are over but I still enjoy watching sport, particularly rugby league and union.
Nicola Estill Community Engagement Officer, Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes Partnership - 2.5 days per week, usually Monday to Wednesday Expand My role is to support the development of the round 2 Heritage Lottery Bid, to be submitted in July 2018. I will be working with volunteers, local community groups, schools, churches and the farming community during the development phase of The Westmorland Dales Hidden Landscapes Partnership Scheme. I am from North Lancashire and have lived in several villages in and around the Westmorland Dales for the last 10 years with my family and other animals! I love wildlife and the great outdoors.
Holly the Dog Office Dog - part time Expand Specialist Areas: facilitator, team builder, de-stress puppy, walks guide. Favourite thing: sandwiches - lots thereof