BOARD OF TRUSTEES – GUIDING THE ROOTS
Our trustees, all volunteering their time, bring a mix of professional expertise and lived experience. Their responsibilities are to:
• Ensure we are governed fairly and responsibly
• Oversee finances and sustainability
• Offer guidance, perspectives, and accountability
• Hold the long-term vision while supporting the team day to day
The board meets formally every 12 weeks, with regular check-ins in between. Our Chair (Graeme) and Manager (Danielle) meet every 4 weeks to stay aligned.
Their role in the ecosystem: like the roots of a tree, they keep us grounded, nourished, and strong enough to grow. They ensure that Uppertunity is run fairly, responsibly, and with heart, while always keeping the long-term vision in mind.
Staff Team – Nurturing Growth
Our staff carry the vision into daily life. They run workshops, manage projects, and support our members and volunteers. Each staff member brings their own creativity, skills, and personality.
Their role in the ecosystem: like the trunk and branches, they give structure and support for everything that grows here.
Volunteers – Pollinators of Possibility
Our volunteers help run activities while gaining experience, confidence, and skills. Our focus on offering volunteering opportunities is to offer opportunities of learning for all. We also work with local education and employment services, where we offer supportive placements.
Their role in the ecosystem: like pollinators, they bring energy and spread opportunities, helping ideas and people flourish.
Members – The Heart of Our Forest
Our members (aka clients) are the people who use our services. They are not just participants; they shape what we do through their voices, choices, and creativity.
Their role in the ecosystem: like the canopy of leaves, they bring life, vibrancy, and direction, helping us all grow towards the light.
Together – A Thriving System
When roots, branches, pollinators, and canopy work together, the whole ecosystem thrives.
At Uppertunity, this means:
• Growing as individuals and as a community
• Supporting each other’s strengths
• Creating positive change in society
• Building a shared, bigger vision for the future
Staff Team
Daniëlle
Daniëlle
Daniëlle
Founder and Manager
Danielle has been here since the very beginning. She founded Uppertunity back in 2015 and,
over the years, has done every role imaginable. These days, she holds the role of Manager,
making sure the whole team is supported and that the big dreams we have as a community
actually turn into reality. Driven and full of vision,
Founder and Manager
Danielle has been here since the very beginning. She founded Uppertunity back in 2015 and,
over the years, has done every role imaginable. These days, she holds the role of Manager,
making sure the whole team is supported and that the big dreams we have as a community
actually turn into reality. Driven and full of vision, Danielle still finds time outside of work to
write poetry, upcycle clothes, and grow an ever-expanding collection of plants.
caroline
Daniëlle
Daniëlle
Community Engagement Lead
Caroline first joined us in 2017, simply looking for a place to volunteer. What began as
lending a helping hand grew into a deeper commitment, and by early 2023, she officially
became part of the staff team. Caroline is now our passionate Community Engagement Lead.
Caroline is brilliant at helping people shine in the
Community Engagement Lead
Caroline first joined us in 2017, simply looking for a place to volunteer. What began as
lending a helping hand grew into a deeper commitment, and by early 2023, she officially
became part of the staff team. Caroline is now our passionate Community Engagement Lead.
Caroline is brilliant at helping people shine in their strengths and at making connections that
weave us closer into the wider community. When she’s not at Uppertunity, she’s a mum to
two boys, a talented knitter and sewer, a sourdough baker, and an active force in her local
neighbourhood.
Fergus
Daniëlle
Fergus
Catering and Enterprise Lead
Fergus came on board in 2025 as our Catering and Enterprise Lead. He’s passionate about
food and loves exploring new ways to make our catering enterprise a space of opportunity
and impact for volunteers and members alike. Always brimming with ideas, Fergus brings
both creativity and practicality to the kitchen. In
Catering and Enterprise Lead
Fergus came on board in 2025 as our Catering and Enterprise Lead. He’s passionate about
food and loves exploring new ways to make our catering enterprise a space of opportunity
and impact for volunteers and members alike. Always brimming with ideas, Fergus brings
both creativity and practicality to the kitchen. In his free time, he brews beer and ginger
bugs, bakes bread, and enjoys music.
Shann
Dulcie
Shann
Project Worker
Shann’s journey with us started in early 2019 as a volunteer. By the end of that same year,
her creativity and commitment had made her an essential part of the team as a Project
Worker. Shann has a knack for putting her hand to anything, whether it’s running kitchen
sessions or creative groups. Outside of work, she channels her
Project Worker
Shann’s journey with us started in early 2019 as a volunteer. By the end of that same year,
her creativity and commitment had made her an essential part of the team as a Project
Worker. Shann has a knack for putting her hand to anything, whether it’s running kitchen
sessions or creative groups. Outside of work, she channels her talents into upcycling
furniture, turning the ordinary into something new and beautiful.
Cat
Dulcie
Shann
Project Worker
Cat joined us as a volunteer in 2020 and, like Shann, quickly became a core part of the team later that year. As a Project Worker, Cat manages the garden, runs creative sessions, and also helps out with marketing and our website. She’s known for her knowledge, helpfulness, and “let’s get stuck in” attitude. Away from work, C
Project Worker
Cat joined us as a volunteer in 2020 and, like Shann, quickly became a core part of the team later that year. As a Project Worker, Cat manages the garden, runs creative sessions, and also helps out with marketing and our website. She’s known for her knowledge, helpfulness, and “let’s get stuck in” attitude. Away from work, Cat likes casual cycling, swimming, video games, insect recording and drawing.
Laura
Dulcie
Dulcie
Project Worker
Laura began volunteering with us in 2023 and officially joined the staff team in 2024. As a
Project Worker, she runs our life skills groups, supports our Social Butterflies programme,
leads creative activities, and is always there to check in with members. Kind, caring, and
welcoming, Laura has a way of making sure everyone fee
Project Worker
Laura began volunteering with us in 2023 and officially joined the staff team in 2024. As a
Project Worker, she runs our life skills groups, supports our Social Butterflies programme,
leads creative activities, and is always there to check in with members. Kind, caring, and
welcoming, Laura has a way of making sure everyone feels included. Beyond Uppertunity,
she spends much of her free time with her horse, who keeps her just as busy as we do.
Dulcie
Dulcie
Dulcie
Project Worker
Dulcie joined in 2024 as a Project Worker. She runs our kitchen and creative groups and
supports our marketing efforts. She’s also the talented illustrator behind our recipe book,
Mix it Upp. Patient, caring, and very creative, Dulcie helps bring calm and encouragement to
every session she leads. When she’s not here, she contin
Project Worker
Dulcie joined in 2024 as a Project Worker. She runs our kitchen and creative groups and
supports our marketing efforts. She’s also the talented illustrator behind our recipe book,
Mix it Upp. Patient, caring, and very creative, Dulcie helps bring calm and encouragement to
every session she leads. When she’s not here, she continues to create art and illustrations
that carry her gentle and thoughtful touch.