The Woodyard Team
Project Development Team
Through a regular Leadership Forum hosted by NDVS (North Devon Voluntary Service), local charity leaders are able to connect and share ideas.
This forum initially contacted Ann Cleeves to find out more about her vision of a real-life Woodyard. Excited by the prospect, Ann now generously supports the Project Development Team with her time, ideas, social and professional networks and some initial seed-funding.
The Woodyard is being developed by the community for the community – we are proud that our Project Development Team and Steering Committee reflect the broad range of issues that matter to those who live and work in North Devon.
Could it be you?
The Woodyard is driven by people who are passionate about making a difference. Do you have the desire to help others, and the skills to match? We are particularly looking for people with skills and experience in finance, safeguarding, HR, governance and business management. Or maybe you have other transferable skills that you could bring to our team. Please contact [email protected] if you’d like to join us on this journey.
Naomi Jefferies
Co-chair of The Woodyard
Naomi is a psychologist, teacher and avid reader, who loves a bit of crime fiction, particularly Ann Cleeves’. She is aware of how important it is for people to have a space to come together and connect over a cup of tea, shared activity or story book. She is delighted that the Woodyard is hoping to achieve this. Naomi is Assistant Head and SENDCo at Southmead Primary School and has wide professional experience of working in educational, health care and charity settings.
Email Naomi at [email protected]
Hepsie Goddin
Co-chair of The Woodyard
Hepsie is a success mindset, marketing and business strategy consultant who helps entrepreneurs build businesses that truly align with their values. As the co-founder of Martha and Hepsie Ltd, a successful home and giftware brand, she knows firsthand what it takes to grow a business while staying true to your vision. With a focus on intentional leadership, profit for purpose, smart marketing strategies, and work-life balance, Hepsie helps her clients gain clarity, spot growth opportunities, and create businesses that thrive, without burning out.
Marie Gould
Marie is privileged to be the Chief Officer for North Devon Voluntary Services,where we ‘enable those that do good, to flourish’ using her leadership skills, passion and skill at connecting people. Being an avid Ann Cleeves fan, Marie was over the moon to see her North Devon community brought to life through 'The Long Call' and very excited when Naomi utilised her Leadership Hub as a soundboard for this project. Marie is so honoured to be part of this much needed community asset, and to see The Woodyard being brought to reality!
Rob Ward
Having started in local government in 1986, Rob worked in children, young people and community services in various counties. He joined Barnstaple Town Council as Town Clerk in 2018. In this role, Rob is acting as the potential landlord for The Woodyard, on behalf of the Town Council. In reality, however, his involvement is about developing services for the Barnstaple community and supporting voluntary sector organisations to enable the project to come to fruition.
Sue Beardshall
Sue is one of Ann Cleeves’ oldest friends as they met in 1966 when starting at Barnstaple Grammar School. Sue has had a long career working with adults with learning disabilities. More recently, when Ann was looking for inspiration for her first Matthew Venn novel, Sue toured North Devon with her – and it was partly from this and their conversations that the idea of the Woodyard in that first book came about!
Conor Warren
Conor is a 19-year-old mental health advocate and founder of Spark UK, an award-winning organisation dedicated to supporting young people’s mental well-being. Conor’s journey began at just 14 when he founded Spark UK. Spark UK creates free lessons, resources and campaigns for thousands of young people across the country. The organisation has collaborated with celebrities including Dame Judi Dench and Stephen Fry as well as established organisations such as BAFTA, Place2Be and Beyond.
Simon Beale
Simon is a solicitor, who divides his time between working in London and working from home in North Devon. Simon has been Chair of the Hammersmith Community Gardens Association for the last 10 years, a well-established charity that aims to connect people who are socially isolated with others through the medium of gardening and working outdoors. Simon was introduced to The Woodyard by friends who have a mutual connection with Ann Cleeves.
Kayleigh Pullin-Rogers
Kayleigh has come on board as the Project Coordinator after being introduced to The Woodyard by Naomi. She has always lived in the area and recently moved over to work in the third sector with Families in Grief. She is really excited to be involved in exploring all the different possibilities of how The Woodyard Project can work alongside and support local organisations and how to make Ann’s creation a reality.
Email Kayleigh at [email protected]
Steering Committee
The Project Development Team is supported by a collective of charity CEOs from the following organisations who recognise the value a community hub will have, both for their individual charities and for the wider community. Their views and experience help to shape the project through feedback, guidance and by consulting their own beneficiaries.
If your organisation would like to join The Woodyard Committee please do get in touch.
