Our Team

ABOUT US

Led by PLANED, this project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government and The Wales Community Food Hubs Initiative will respond to Covid 19 recovery and enable communities across South West Wales to access, healthy and affordable food.

Abi joined PLANED in March 2019 as part of the LEADER funded Community Well-being and Resilience Project (CWBR).Following a successful pilot stage she supported the launch of the Lottery funded CWBR Youth Project. She’s been with PLANED’s Wales Community Food Distribution Initiative from the start by launching food hubs and is now excited to be coordinating the project.
She is a graduate of Social Inclusion (University of Wales Trinity Saint David) and brings qualifications and skills in training delivery, communication methods, volunteer management and much more. She is also a keen Welsh learner and currently at the Sylfaen level with LearnWelsh.

Following on from 5 years a trustee and Vice-Chair with Span Arts she is now proud to be part of the Plant Sale committee and volunteers at events. In her spare time she loves to bake and cook, grow her own vegetables and enjoys walks in this beautiful part of Wales.

She is passionate for everyone to have their voice heard and be included and happy within their community.

Abi

Marriott

WCFD Coordinator

Fern joined PLANED in October 2022 as a Project Development Officer for the Wales Community Food Distribution initiative.

Bringing a wealth of experience from the hospitality industry, she previously ran her own café in Pembrokeshire, promoting healthy eating and coordinating events to strengthen connections in the community.

Prior to this, her background was in Marine Logistics and Crewing, which enabled her to spend many years travelling and working abroad.

Fern is passionate about promoting Welsh produce and believes that everybody should have access to sustainable, nutritious food.

In any free moments she enjoys growing vegetables in her kitchen garden, or exploring the landscapes of West Wales and beyond.

Fern Lewis

Development Officer

Sam Stables joined PLANED in September 2022 as Produce Officer for Wales Community Food Hub Distribution Initiative.

She is a graduate of Illustration (Leeds Arts University), and has previously volunteered at local charities and community projects, offering her services as a graphic designer to create handouts and products for fundraising. She is passionate about local produce, and healthy food, which she hopes to bring to her work on the WCFD project.

Alongside her work at PLANED, Sam is a practising artist with clients from all over the world. She is currently working on developing a video game based on Welsh heritage with her artist collective.

Sam Stables

Produce Officer

Alex joined WCFD January 2023 as the Carmarthenshire Development Officer.

Alex has a BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology and a European MSc in Water and Coastal Management, but chose to turn her interest in the environment and ecology to horticulture and small scale agriculture.

Before working for PLANED Alex co-ran and grew for an organic veg box CIC in Carmarthenshire, though she is still on the Board of Directors for the CIC. In addition to this Alex is also part of the steering group for the Carmarthenshire Food Network. Prior to this she spent many years working as a horticulturalist on big estates and working as a self-employed gardener.

When not working Alex enjoys growing veg at home (recently planting a mini orchard), watching her hens with a cup of tea, playing outside either on land or on water and spending time with her family.

Alex Nicholas

Project Development Officer Carmarthenshire

Ioan joined PLANED in July 2022 and is assisting the WCFD project with administration.

Ioan has a college diploma in business studies and a diploma in equine management. During his studies, Ioan achieved multiple awards alongside his classroom colleagues. He has been successful in competing at both regional and national levels, gaining a young enterprise award for an invention of a product that made the Welsh national finals. In addition, Ioan has a Duke of Edinburgh silver award. Ioan has also submitted research studies in equine management to the Head of Faculty following his visit to an equine university in Sweden called Flyinge.

He has recently moved to Pembrokeshire and set up a new life. In his own time, you can often find Ioan moving essential feeds and resources around the family run business, holiday cottage rentals, using his tractor.

Ioan will be the first to tell anyone he happens to have Cerebral Palsy, which is a minor part of him considering his personality and achievements so far. In addition, he strives to achieve the same goals as his colleagues.

Ioan Lloyd

Project Support Officer

team

Rachael joined PLANED in November 2021 to provide administrative support for the Arwain Sir Benfro LEADER project as it drew to a close. Since January 2022 she has taken on the role of Project Support Officer for the CWBR Youth Project.

She has a BA in English Language and Literature (University of Reading) and an MA in Information Services Management (University of North London). After completing her studies she returned to Wales and has spent many years working in the higher education sector, including working as the Development Officer for the Wales Higher Education Libraries Forum.

After spending many years commuting for her various roles, Rachael is now enjoying the opportunity to live and work in the Pembrokeshire community. She is the Narberth Food Festival Committee Secretary and has also volunteered at Narberth Museum on an ad hoc basis for a number of years.

She is a keen (if not rather slow!) runner and has completed many 10ks, half marathons and two marathons. She enjoys cooking and baking and has makes her own bread every week. With a librarian background she is of course a very keen reader.