Our Directors
Suzanne and Rob Addicott FoundiNG Directors
Suzanne and Rob are two of the founders and visionaries behind Root Connections. Living at Manor Farm, they were driven by a desire to use the farm as a force for positive change—supporting the local community and helping to address rural homelessness.
As directors of Root Connections, they play an active role behind the scenes, supporting both the garden and the on-site homeless hostel, Dairy House, where their commitment helps ensure residents are welcomed, supported, and able to rebuild their lives.
Cathy Bushill Educational Lead
Cathy joined Root Connections in December 2020 having recently retired as a senior leader within primary education. She is a resident of Stratton-on-the-Fosse and passionate about adventurous community projects that enable creative learning and understanding.
Cathy leads our education programme, inviting local schools to experience outdoor learning and an engaging, hands-on science curriculum. Cathy supports our workshop and events as well as the development of our Community Hub. She also leads our ‘Outdoor Adventures’ school holiday club.
Siobainn Chaplin Director of Compliance & Safeguarding Officer
Siobainn has a wealth of knowledge regarding compliance and is Head of Safeguarding and Support at The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.
Since joining the Board of Directors, Siobainn has updated our policies, training, safer recruitment and continues to support the growth of the organisation.
JennI RING
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Our Staff
Steven Dring - CEO
Steven is a forward-thinking CEO, entrepreneur, mentor and advisor with deep experience in growing mission-driven businesses and charities. He is passionate about bringing his corporate and start-up experience to the charity sector guiding them through key stages of change, scale, fund raising and investment. His strategic roles and advisory work, provides support to founders, directors and trustees to build their organisations.
Lily O’Dowd -Head Gardener
Lily joins us from Highgrove House in Tetbury & before that; Bridewell Organic Walled Garden, a mental health recovery service in Oxfordshire. Lily is passionate about addressing societal issues, transforming lives & supporting health & wellbeing - she’s also a jolly good gardener.
Joely McGrath - Community Coordinator
With a background in education and running community classes, Joely draws on her experience to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at Root Connections for our volunteers, service users and community visitors. She is passionate about fostering connection among members, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring everyone feels valued within Root Connections CIC. Joely is not a gardener, but it is her mission to be able to name all our veggies and flowers by the end of 2026.
Sam Copsey – Gardener
Sam is a skilled gardener and craftsman, always ready with the right tool for any task around the site. Volunteers can get to know Sam if they are involved with harvesting on Wednesdays. With his positive energy and knack for creating a lively atmosphere—complete with a great music soundtrack— Sam makes hard work enjoyable. His hands-on expertise and upbeat nature make him an invaluable part of the Root Connections CIC team, inspiring others with his practical know-how and infectious enthusiasm.
Administrator
Markus Mohn - Social and Therapeutic Horticultural
Practitioner and Beekeeper
Markus is passionate about nurturing the ongoing evolution of our community garden, seeing it as a living space that brings people together and fosters inclusion. With a keen interest in beekeeping, he keeps hives at Manor Farm which allow us to produce our very own honey. Markus also specialises in the therapeutic benefits of gardening, using his experience as a Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner to support individuals and small groups in finding wellbeing and calm through working outdoors. His commitment helps make our garden a nurturing and welcoming place for all.
Lex Tibbs – Florist and Social and Therapeutic
Horticultural Practitioner
Lex brings her expertise as both a Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner and a Florist to the Root Connections team, where her deep love for the great outdoors shines through on our Tuesday and Friday Volunteer Mornings. Having spent the last decade working as a therapeutic practitioner across a range of settings, she is passionate about using gardening to promote wellbeing and nature connection. Lex also runs her own CIC, 'Flowers for Good.'
Our Volunteer Team
We have an amazing team of volunteers that help out in our community garden. Our volunteers are truly the beating heart of our organisation and without their help and hardiness we would not be able to do what we do.
We are not currently recruiting volunteers but please express your interest if this is something you are interested in for the future.
Our Partners
Addicott Partners
Our partners in providing the land to grow the produce, as well as in running workshops.
The Dairy House
Is a unique direct access hostel providing emergency housing for men and women aged 25 and over who are homeless or rough sleeping. This is our partnering beneficiary of all profits and proceeds.
Connect Community Trust
Connect Community Trust is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness, exclusion, and crisis in rural Somerset.
Built on years of trusted community work, the CCT exists to provide stability, dignity, and real opportunities for individuals facing some of the toughest challenges in life.
Find out more about their invaluable and crucial work.
Somerset Community Foundation
The Somerset Community Foundation generously provided the seed money to begin Root Connections as a Community Interest Company.
Community Lottery Fund
Our regional Grants Officer has supported us with grants, provided funding for development work & continues to support us with our five year strategic vision.
New Fruit Productions
Our Root Connections film was produced and edited by our friends at New Fruit Productions. Check out their website and portfolio using the link below or email hello@newfruit.co.uk.
