on Feb 25th, 2008Meet the team - Staff
Margaret Minhinnick, Director Sustainable Wales
Committed environmentalist for almost 30 years. Founder and current Director of Sustainable Wales Cymru Gynhaliol charity; founder and Co-director Sustainable Wales Projects Ltd a co-operative operating Gentle Touch Nappy Laundry Service and the not for profit company Sussed Wales. All seek to promote sustainable development practices.
A former teacher, with 10 years experience, she founded and developed Friends of the Earth Cymru, chief spokesperson directing campaign strategies from 1984 - 94, organising regular Wales-wide training days for the public on a range of environmental issues.
In 1995/96 she was a presenter and researcher for HTV’s ‘Grass Roots’ series.
She has made many TV appearances and radio interviews over the last 25 years and is rarely out of the press.
She also has wide experience of community groups, boards, committees, grants and fundraising.
Board and committee membership includes:-
Friend of the Earth Ltd 1984 - 1988;
Board member of Prince’s Trust, Bro, and Grants committee member 1994 -1999.
SE Wales member Prince’s Trust Cymru + grants committee member 2000- 2005;
Grants Committee Member, WCVA’s Environment Wales 2006 -
Groundwork Bridgend, Director, 1990 - 2002;
Member of the Council of Management, Cylch.1999/2000;
Member Glas Cymru 2000 -
Director Sussed Wales, 2006 -
Board Member Cynnal Cymru 2006 -
Verity Dighton, Charity Administrator
Born in London but brought up in Swansea, Verity is back in south Wales with her family, husband Graham and sons Robert and Stuart after extensive travels. Qualified in Offshore Finance and Administration, Verity has lived and worked in Brighton, the Australian outback – at Mukinbudin, Western Australia - and on the island of Jersey. She enjoys cooking, climbing and walking.
Angharad Dalton, Sustainable Solutions - Bridgend, Project Officer
An International Politics graduate of the University of Wales Aberystwyth, Angharad has worked as a political monitor and analyst for public affairs agency StrataMatrix, and Sustainable Solutions Project Officer for Sustainable Wales following a stint volunteering for the charity.
A fluent Welsh speaker, Angharad has a keen interest in Welsh politics and current affairs, animal rights women’s issues and of course Sustainable Development. Her wider interests include design, IT, music and fashion. A keen dog-lover, she dotes on Siân, her rescue Corgi.
Joe Newbury, Project Development Officer for ‘Plastic Bag Free’ campaign
Born and raised in Cardiff, Joe joined Sustainable Wales as a volunteer in 2007. His qualifications include a BA in History & Welsh History and an MSc in Political Theory. His interests include playing football, reading, writing and exploring historical sites. Joe is currently the Project Development Officer working on the Plastic Bag Free Bridgend County campaign.
Sian Dando, Real Nappy Project Officer
Born and raised in Swansea Sian joined Sustainable Wales in October 2005 working on the Swansea Real Nappy Campaign. Sian studied for a Business Degree at Swansea Business School where she met her husband Lee. Sian stayed at home to look after her 2 children Jack and LLinos then returned to work in 2005 when she joined SW. As well as looking after the Wales wide campaign Sian also continues to run the Swansea Real Nappy Campaign as a volunteer. She has a keen interest in all things natural and makes a range of chemical free beauty products.
Natalie Sargeant, Project Development Officer
Born and raised in Caerphilly, Natalie studied for a Social Science Degree with the Open University, it was during this time that she became involved with Sustainable Wales when in 2000 together with Margaret Minhinnick and Richard Thomas they formed Sustainable Wales 1st Community Co-operative ‘Gentle Touch’. Natalie ran this social enterprise for 6 years before joining the Sustainable Wales staff team in August 2006. Originally Natalie started at Sustainable Wales as a Real Nappy Development Officer and more recently became a part time project Development Officer for Sustainable Wales.
Natalie has been married for 12 years and has 2 small children and another baby on the way. She is keen on developing community projects and is currently a Director for Sussed, Secretary for the PTA, active with local Community Partnership and runs a Cylch ti a fi playgroup. Natalie also attends evening classes and day schools where she is learning Welsh.
Louise Mathias, SUSSED Development Officer
Born and raised in Port Talbot, Louise has just started working with Sustainable Wales as the SUSSED Development Officer. Louise has been working as a teacher with Lifelong learning for the past two years. She developed a keen interest in environmental and sustainability issues linked to education. Her qualifications include a BA Honours degree in Social Philosophy and Applied Ethics and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
Louise is engaged to Craig and they are due to marry this May. Louise attended St Clare’s Convent School, Porthcawl. Her interests include music, reading, animal rights and keeping fit.
