Meet the team

Amanda

Role: Mentor

Start Date: May 2022

Qualifications: TC level 2 Forest School Leader

Angela

Role: Groom / Yard Person.

Start Date: Nov 21

Qualifications: Designing & Delivering Training.

Caroline (Caz)

Role: Mentor

Start Date: March 2024

Qualifications: BA Honours in Education

Chantal

Role: Lead Mentor

Start Date: September 2007

Qualifications: BSc Computer Science, Msc Neuroscience and Psychology of Mental Health, NVQ 3 Stable Management, Horse Boy / Movement Method Practitioner, Thrive Licenced Practitioner (Early Years and Adolescent)

Clare

Role: Mentor

Start date: Spring 2022

Qualifications: Trauma Informed Practitioner, Diploma in Positive Behaviour Support, Diploma in Autism Studies

Clarissa (Krissy)

Role: Mentor

Start date: February 2024

Qualifications: ITC Level 3 Forest School Leader, Trauma / ACE’s / Attachment Theory Trained

Fiona

Role: Mentor

Start date: April 2023

Qualifications: Training received as a Foster Parent

Gemma

Role: Mentor and Team Leader

Start date: 2017

Qualifications: BHS Lead, Thrive Practitioner (Childhood and Adolescent), PAWS Therapy Dog Handle

Geraldine

Role: Mentor and Animal Welfare Lead

Start Date: December 2019

Qualifications: Thrive and Trauma Informed Practitioner, Dip HE Adult Nursing, NVQ 3 Horse Management, BHS Stage 2

Harriet

Role: Mentor

Start Date: September 2024

Qualifications: Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Helen

Role: Data and Communications Manager, Data Protection Officer

Start Date: September 2012

Qualifications: BTEC Nat Dip Art and Design, BA Hons 3-D Design (Ceramics)

Jemima

Role: Mentor

Start Date: September 2023

Qualifications: National Diploma in Horse Management, SQP in Equine and Companion animals. Thrive Practitioner, Level 3 Forest School Leader

Jess

Role: Centre Manager and Safeguarding Lead

Start Date: January 2000

Qualifications: RDA Advanced Coach, Thrive and Trauma Informed Practitioner

Jo

Role: Mentor

Start Date: November 2022

Qualifications: Bsc Marine Biology, Forest School Leader.

Jo

Role: Financial Administrator

Start Date: March 2024

Qualifications: Paramedic, Foundation Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

Kate

Role: Equine Assisted Counsellor

Start Date:

Qualifications: Bsc Psychology, LEAP – Equine Facilitated Therapist, Counselling and Psychotherapy Level 5, Constellation Therapy, Sechiem Level 1

Lesley

Role: Receptionist and Admin Assistant

Start Date: November 2021

Qualifications: General Qualification of Life and spreading happiness

Lotta

Role: Grants and Evaluations Manager

Start Date: November 2019

Qualifications:  Equine Behaviour, Fundraising Diploma

Melza

Role: Mentor, Groom, Cleaning Technician

Start date: June 2024

Qualifications: Hospitality

Michelle

Role: Mentor

Start date: October 2023

Qualifications: NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care, level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, ITC level 3 Forest School Leader, BHS Bronze Horse Care

Morag

Role: Mentor,  Play Therapist, Admin Assistant, Deputy Safeguarding Lead

Start Date: January 2020

Qualifications: Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills & Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy, Thrive Practitioner; Advanced Child Protection

Penny

Role: Mentor

Start Date: October 2020

Qualifications: Trauma Informed Practitioner, ITEC in Holistic Therapies, BTEC Care and Nutrition Level 1 & 2.

Sarah (Belle)

Role: Mentor

Start date: November 2022

Qualifications: Trauma Informed Practitioner, BHS Bronze Horse Care

David Hardy – Trustee

David Hardy joined the board in 2008 as Treasurer and is now feeling ready to hand over to a fresh pair of enthusiastic hands as Susan has joined the board.  David plans to stay on as a Trustee for the time being at least.

David and his wife live in Taunton and he runs an electronics company as well as a thriving portfolio of supported living homes.  In his spare time David is a keen pilot.

James Holyday – Chairman

Joined the Conquest Board of Trustees in 2008.

James is a Director of Summerfield, a regional development company, with extensive experience of construction and property management.

He became involved with Conquest Centre in 2006 and  joined the Board of Trustees as Chairman in 2008. He enjoys the challenge of working with a local ‘grass roots’ charity and especially the fundraising and management of the Centre.

John Harrison – Trustee

John Harrison joined the Conquest Trustee Board in 2019.

John relocated to Somerset 15 years ago and continued to run two property development and investment companies as well as being an active member of the community.  He and his wife also share a passion for horses.  

John’s practical skillset has made him an even more valuable asset to the team as he runs many of the building and maintenance projects around the site.

Susan Fender – Treasurer

Susan is a qualified Chartered Accountant with considerable experience after working in financial services for most of her career. A few years ago, she decided to move away from London and now lives in Watchet. Susan also wanted a more rewarding role and now works as Director of Finance at Better Society Capital which is a social impact investor focused on improving people’s lives and helping disadvantaged people on the UK.

Being part of the team that supports Conquest Centre combines her love of animals with helping people and her skills can make a positive contribution to the success of the charity. She did enjoy horse riding in her younger years and now enjoys hiking, living by the sea and travelling to experience wildlife and new cultures.

Tom MacConnell – Trustee

Tom and his wife have lived in Somerset since 1995. His daughter’s experience of volunteering at Conquest made him very open to the opportunity of becoming a trustee.

Tom works at Musgrove Park Hospital as a consultant cardiologist. He has been involved with the development of new services and facilities over the years. In addition to his clinical work, he has a strategic and delivery role at Somerset Integrated Care Board. He has worked with Marie Curie being one of the instigators of the Marie Curie Companion volunteers.

The Conquest ethos of valuing everyone as an individual and giving them an emotional and physical environment where they can thrive and achieve their best, resonates with what he has sought to provide in the NHS.

Oli

Role: Student