Network Support Team

Nigel Boldero – Convenor

My career includes a wide range of public sector, voluntary and consultancy work. I have led the transformation of long term social and health care facilities, and carried out a range of research and development work. I have lived in Norfolk for over 30 years and am a keen gardener. I’ve volunteered in various school and community gardening projects, as well as for the National Trust at Blickling Hall (pictured). I’m also a garden and landscape designer and had a great interest in creating ‘play landscapes’ with an emphasis on ‘natural play’.

A ‘Green Flag Award’ judge for many years, I’ve come to know many of the region’s parks and gardens, and am heavily involved in developing my local Church in Haveringland as a community hub, heritage centre and focus for promoting wellbeing and biodiversity.

There are some great green care projects locally; helping them connect and benefit from each other was my motivation for setting up the Network with Carlyn Kilpatrick, back at the beginning of 2020. Little did we know how the pandemic was going to affect us all and how appreciating the power of nature has come to the forefront- I’m committed to helping to keep it there as we return to ‘normality’.

Maddy Goodall- Media and Communications Lead

I was born and raised in Norwich, and have always been interested in the natural world. Although I currently work as Heritage Coordinator for a national charity, I was previously Education Officer on the Marriott’s Way Heritage Trail project, and it was in this role that my sense of the significance of green care really crystallised – leading walks, coordinating habitat management activities, and introducing school groups to the history and biodiversity of the Marriott’s Way. I am now Chair of the Friends of Train Wood and Marriott’s Way.

East Anglia is home to an astounding range of green care projects, and the Norfolk Green Care Network provides an incredible opportunity to learn from and be inspired by them, and each other. I look forward to seeing the network continue to grow and flourish.

Dr Diane Davies – Treasurer

I started my career working in a bank, and continued in the accounts’ offices of various companies, before starting my own business in administration. Having left school at 15 with no qualifications, I studied for a degree with the Open University before obtaining a PhD in Mathematics at the University of Hertfordshire. I regularly volunteered with various charities and became involved in The Royal Institution’s Masterclass Programme, subsequently working full time at The Ri and becoming Clothworker’s Fellow in Mathematics, responsible for the Mathematics Programme and introducing Engineering and Computer Science Programmes.

I am the Trustee/Manager of the English Schools’ Orchestra, a charity offering opportunities in orchestral playing for the very best young orchestral players aged 13 to 18 around the UK, have been Treasurer for a Scout Group for over 30 years and am also Trustee and Treasurer for The Papillon Project, so have been involved with charities for most of my life. My hobbies are gardening and craft.

France Evans– Volunteer

Since graduating from the University of Bath in 2022 with a Sport and Exercise Science degree, I moved back home to Norfolk and have been working as a tennis coach. I love playing and participating in all sports, especially tennis which I regularly compete in the Norfolk Ladies Team. In April 2023 I am excited to start a new career in the NHS as a physical therapy support worker in Devon. Beyond sport and exercise, I have a real passion for the natural environment and I enjoy volunteering at Wheatfen Nature Reserve just south of Norwich which I am very lucky to have on my doorstep. I understand and appreciate the benefits being outside has on our mental and physical health which is why I am very happy to be volunteering at the Network to help connect people with the great outdoors.

Hari Kirupaharann– Volunteer

Hi my name is Hari, I’ve lived in or around Norfolk for most of my life. I’m a recent graduate with a degree in Animal Welfare, and believe that the human and nature connection needs to be promoted due to the range of benefits it has.