Ilona is one of the Non-Exec Directors at Birkheads Wild. Originally from Poland, Ilona began as a parent helper at Birkheads Wild in 2017 because she loves the outdoors. Birkheads Wild supported her to achieve her Level 1 Forest School Assistant qualification in 2019 and in 2021 she also achieved her Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification. She works full time as a Teaching Assistant in a Supported Learning Centre for young people, where she helps them thrive and develop in the classroom and at Forest School. A huge animal lover Ilona has a degree in Animal Science from University of Agriculture, Poznan Poland and is also a qualified Horse Rider and Carer.

Joanne is one of the Non-exec Directors at Birkheads Wild.  Her two children have been going to Birkheads Wild since it first opened and it’s a really important part of their lives.  They have made good friends there, it gets them off their computers, they get out in the fresh air and have fun and learn at the same time.

Joanne has been a volunteer since 2017 and is now a verifier for the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme that Birkheads Wild is running.  During the day she works in a small HR team for an IT company in Birtley.  Pedro, her little Chihuahua is taking centre stage on the photograph.

Alison holds a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and after graduating with a degree in environmental sciences in 2001, has worked as a Countryside Professional for her whole career to date. Managing various urban fringe sites around London between 2001 and 2003 Alison was responsible for co-ordinating and delivering cross-curricula formal education sessions in addition to countryside events and activities for the public.

She has been working at Epping Forest, the largest open space in Greater London, since 2003. In her role as a Forest Keeper she has introduced and developed a Bushcraft programme of events and activities, working with school groups, families, adults, and young people with SEN. She is now training volunteers and other members of Epping Forest staff to deliver and develop Bushcraft events. Her innovative events such as ‘Venison Butchery and Cooking’ have featured on Radio 4, Radio 2  and in ‘Time Out’ magazine.

Alison has completed a Woodlife Trials Bushcraft Instructors Training Programme and completed her Diploma in Bushcraft (level 3) in 2018.

Ellie is a non-Exec Director of Birkheads Wild. Ellie has worked in the charity sector in the North East for 18 years, within arts and culture organisations and as a funding specialist managing partnership programmes, developing philanthropy and funds to benefit the North East voluntary sector. She is a specialist in charity governance, leadership and in developing national partnerships.

Currently she is Joint Chief Executive and Executive Director of Open Clasp Theatre Company which places theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of women and girls. Ellie is also a trustee of Cultural Spring, which creates grassroots community arts projects across Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Ellie is passionate about social justice and activism which leads to a more equal society. She lives in Newcastle with her partner Simon, children Sam and Maeve and a border collie, Meg.

In addition to being a Director of Birkheads Wild, Gemma is currently a work based learning practitioner at Durham University supporting young people to realise their career aspirations through work experience opportunities.

Prior to this she spent 11 years at global leadership development organisation Common Purpose delivering leadership development programmes for individuals and groups at all stages of their career across the North East of England.

Gemma lives in County Durham with her husband and two boys where she enjoys photography and loves exploring the beautiful countryside and coastline of our region.