Meet the team

Outdoor education is in my bones! I have always loved being in nature from an early age, playing in the local stream, spending family holidays in the New Forest, and scouting camps. This led me to study Environmental Science at Plymouth University, I earned a PGCE in Primary Education and have taught in both the UK and New Zealand. I have spent the last 15 years as a tutor and manager at a range of day and residential outdoor education Centres around the UK, but Kench Hill is by far the best yet! My favourite part of the job is chatting to children on the streamwalk and hearing their stories when I drive the minibus to the beach. My hobbies include surfing, snowboarding, walking with friends and swimming. Fun fact: I have written a series of children's books about my dog Tiggy and her seaside adventures. Check them out at the Kench Hill gift shop!

I have worked at Kench Hill since 2023, it is a truly magical place! For me, the best things about the Kench Hill Centre are the awesome children who visit, and the wonderful animals and plants that live here. Oh and all of the yummy food! I also have a beautiful dog called Hippo who comes to the centre with me, she loves cuddles and chasing birds.

I am a nature & nurture tutor here at Kench Hill and am also lucky enough to live on site in our beautiful surroundings. I have worked in various educational roles, from nursery age upwards, for over twenty years. I have also run my local Brownie, Guide and Ranger units for twenty-one years. I am a qualified forest school leader. Nature, wildlife & the environment are all things I'm passionate about & I really enjoy engaging children and inspiring a love of nature in them. I share my home with my daughters, our 4 dogs and 12 cats!

One of my favourite activities at Kench Hill is spending time in the beautiful grounds and looking for wildlife. For many years, I worked as a countryside ranger and even obtained a chainsaw license! Currently, I am a forest school teacher in local schools and work for the local council, managing their green spaces. I love sharing my passion and enthusiasm for wildlife with everyone at Kench Hill.

Amanda and I are responsible for planning and cooking all the meals. I believe in using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create healthy and nutritious dishes everyone can enjoy. I'm also happy to cater to any dietary requirements. Food has always been a big part of my life. I used to own a cafe in Tenterden and I've also taught food tech. These days, I enjoy sharing my passion for baking by running bread making workshops at Kench Hill. In my spare time, I love to travel and experience new cultures. I've even been skydiving! When I'm not off on an adventure, you'll find me at home with my husband and our dog, Stevie. We love having our grandchildren come to visit – they're always excited to see the animals at Kench Hill.

Hi, I'm Amanda, and I have been a part of the Kench Hill family for over 18 years! I work closely with Tracy to plan, prepare, and cook delicious meals for everyone here. Cooking is a true passion of mine, and I am particularly proud of my shortbread (if I say so myself!). I've also lost count of how many pizzas I've made over the years – let's just say it's a lot. When I'm not in the kitchen, I love spending time with my two beautiful twin daughters. I've always had a soft spot for rescuing animals and love getting to know all the wonderful creatures we have here at Kench Hill. In my spare time, you will often find me indulging my passion for interior design and giving old furniture a new life through upcycling.

Hi everyone, I'm Sue. I'm the one who keeps things tidy around Kench Hill. You'll usually find me up with the lark, looking after our lovely ponies - they're such characters. Kench Hill is really special to me because it's where I was born. I love everything about it: the animals, the people who visit and the brilliant people I work with. When I'm not at Kench Hill, you'll find me in the garden or cooking up something tasty in the kitchen, my chilli jam has become very popular at Kench Hill. But more than anything, I adore spending time with my grandbabies. They love coming to Kench Hill to help me muck out the ponies - it's a real family affair.

Hi, I'm Katie and I'm part of the housekeeping team at Kench Hill. I'm passionate about maintaining a clean and welcoming environment for our guests and staff. I enjoy the collaborative spirit here and am always eager to learn and develop new skills. In my free time, I pursue a variety of creative hobbies, including baking goodies and brewing my own wine and beer.  I'm an avid walker and love exploring the countryside. On a personal note, my family has deep roots in the local area. You could even say we've made our mark on the landscape – George's Hill in Woodchurch is named after my family!

I've been a familiar face at Kench Hill for many years now. I really enjoy working with our fantastic volunteers and helping to keep everything ticking over nicely. You'll usually find me with a tool belt on, tackling all sorts of maintenance jobs around the building. When I'm not busy with DIY or lending a hand to the volunteers, I love spending time with my family and getting outdoors for a good walk. I'm also a keen gardener and can often be found pottering around in the greenhouse. It's a privilege to be part of such a dedicated team here at Kench Hill.

I love getting stuck in and helping out wherever I can. I'm a bit of a DIY enthusiast, especially when it comes to woodwork. There's something really satisfying about taking a piece of wood and turning it into something useful or beautiful. I'm always working on little projects in my spare time and I'm always happy to lend a hand with any odd jobs that need doing around the place. When I'm not busy with my latest creation, you'll probably find me out in the grounds, helping with the gardening and general maintenance. I love being outdoors and getting my hands dirty. I'm also a passionate runner and love the challenge of training for marathons.