The Team
Rachel Vollerthun
Co-founder
I am a mother of 4 (aged between 9 and 18), and an artist who works in watercolour and ink to make colourful work which is both botanical and figurative. I grew up in Cambridge, and after travels and studying at the Glasgow School of Art, I settled in Swavesey permanently with my family.
We have loved living here, amidst so much nature and the freedom it gives, and amidst a thriving community. As my children grow up, I find myself wanting more and more to be personally active in protecting this amazing world, one that I have been able to take for granted and that they will not.
The more I spoke about it with people, the more it became evident that so many are feeling the same, and that acting on it feels really good and doesn’t have to be daunting, but fun and creative.
Phillip Cohen
Co-founder
I am a passionate fighter for change. My main aim in life and my life's philosophy is summed up in a quote by the most amazing leader we ever had in South Africa:
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"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” Nelson Mandela 1964
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We fought for freedom and made it happen in our lifetime. I am prepared to fight for our planet with all the energy I have left, so that in my lifetime I can see this change too.
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Lizzie Sagoo
Soil Scientist
I live in Swavesey with my husband Gurdeep and two children, Aaron (15) and Kavan (11). I grew up in Cottenham and moved to Swavesey in 2004 after studying in Leeds. I work as a Soil Scientist with a company called ADAS, which has an office in Boxworth.
As part of my job I work on research projects relating to soil and nutrient management, and sustainable agricultural systems. Although easy to overlook, soil is the foundation of all earth’s ecosystems and is our largest terrestrial carbon store. However, soils are under threat from compaction, erosion, and loss of soil organic matter, and it is important that we take steps to protect and improve soil health. I’m really pleased that we’ve got soils on the agenda for our Sustainability Festival
Sandie Smith
Fundraiser
I have lived in Swavesey for 15 years and I am a Parish Councillor. I am passionate about communities; how we can work together and connect and support each other, especially in times of need. I run a local HealthWatch which is all about listening to people and learning from their lived
experience.
Setting up a Timebank in the village is my aspiration as it’s a great way to bring people together. (see blog)
