Meet the team

Becky is Wildlife For All's assistant director, having been part of our team for over 11 years. She is also our brilliant head gardener of The Oasis Gardens. Becky is responsible for interviews and training. She has extensive overseas experience and is a previous manager of Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve.

When I got involved with this work over 11 years ago, I realised that I'd found what I was looking for. It has given genuine meaning and purpose to my life.

I now oversee the nature reserves in South Africa and manage The Oasis. This involves training team members to be the best they can be. I lead by example and have a clear vision of what we need to achieve.

Visitors to The Oasis and Komsberg often comment that what we are doing is incredible and outstanding. I'm proud to be a part of this.

If you're reading this website and getting excited, imagining yourself being a part of this work, please contact me for an interview. I'm looking to expand our team with sincere people who really want to learn and do what is needed.

Vicky has also been involved for a long time. She has a lot of overseas experience, especially as manager of The Tortoise Farm. Vicky has watched the shy geometric tortoise laying eggs more times than any other human being and in the past has spent several weeks following a single female all day long to record its behaviour in detail.

I've been working for the charity for over 15 years and in that time I have witnessed great achievements from my colleagues, working together towards a common goal. I've seen us get Oasis Woods, The Tortoise Farm, and Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve, making ideas or dreams become reality. This has involved a lot of sacrifice, hard work, and re-thinking of priorities in life. It is true that attitude determines results and our charity is an excellent example of what can be achieved with the correct psychology.

I myself have learnt a lot, especially at The Tortoise Farm, where I've been incredibly fortunate to work helping to conserve the critically endangered geometric tortoise. I've watched them lay eggs and seen tiny hatchlings emerge some months later. I've had to learn a number of practical skills to properly manage the reserve, and also develop psychological abilities to strengthen professionalism, determination, and the desire to be of service.

The geometric tortoises are such beautiful and vulnerable creatures. Their critically endangered status is a real symbol of what's to come in our world if we don't shift our way of thinking and look beyond our small-mindedness to do what's really needed.

Wussy (don't call her Rosie!) is currently manager of Komsberg and this is where she earned her name. Four years ago, she was a bit girly or pathetic at times. We nicknamed her "Wussy" and it became her rallying call, determined to become "Wussy by name but not wussy by nature!" She became manager of Komsberg in February 2008 and hasn't looked back. 

Since working for Wildlife for All, my life has changed beyond my wildest dreams.  I have learnt that with the right attitude and dedication, anything can be achieved. I have pushed through many limitations I had put on myself and as a result I am now able to fix windmills, put up miles and miles of fencing, look after guests, and monitor the flourishing wildlife at Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve.

One of my highlights has been to complete a long section of fencing at Komsberg, which meant we were able to open up an extra 6,500 acres of land. And to then see Burchell's zebra being released onto the reserve after an absence of nearly 200 years.

My appreciation for nature has dramatically deepened and I feel so privileged to be in a position to genuinely give to wildlife in a real way.

Wussy was previously manager of The Tortoise Farm for a year in 2006/2007. Did she study biology at university? No. "I did a history of art degree". She's a good example of "previous experience isn't necessary".

Jonathan has been involved for over 16 years. He is responsible for all logistical support, including liaising with businesses who kindly support us in the UK and internationally. Furthermore, Jonathan organises all of our fundraising activities.

The word "unique" is used a lot, often without really meaning very much. In the case of Wildlife For All, however, it is very appropriate. Not just because we are "different", but because we are different in ways which are exceptional. I have seen a number of people get involved over the years, most of whom (including myself) were pretty average. Within a relatively short time, many of these very ordinary individuals were achieving far more than they would have thought they were capable of. I was someone who was riddled with apathy and yet, because of Wildlife For All's unique way of working, soon found myself genuinely making a difference.

If you are thinking of getting involved, this is - in the best sense of the word - a unique opportunity.

Wendy is a retired teacher, joining us later in life. She was previously a deputy head teacher at a special needs school. Originally from up north, Wendy demonstrates "true Yorkshire grit" and no-nonsense values - essential for helping to train younger team members at The Oasis.

It took a long time for me to find this pioneering charity which is committed to preserving wildlife, giving whatever is needed.

I am the 'oldie' in the group and when I retired from teaching I was determined to fulfil my dream of finding like-minded people who truly wanted to make a difference. I would like my grandchildren to live in a more genuine and caring society.

The Oasis certainly lives up to its name and the diversity found here provides endless opportunities for learning and training.

Rachel originally studied anthropology and education. She then gained additional qualifications as a teacher, including teaching mathematics.

Before joining Wildlife For All, I was always focusing on the next episode: the house, the car, the boyfriend, the shoes, the handbag, the next anything to distract me from thoughts that there had to be more to life than just the superficial goals.

On the surface I joined in with the rat-race and achieved many of the external measures of success. I would listen to people around me discussing the latest holiday destinations, fashion, cosmetic surgery or restaurant and I would try to be involved, interested or satisfied ;- but would always have a constant yearning that "There has to be more to life than this..."

Slowly I realised that I was putting all of my energies into being somebody false, fitting in and accepting the status quo, instead of being true to who I really am. I now value what I know to be real and my aim is service for a greater good.

Nick studied mathematics and psychology at university. His parents are both medical doctors and they clearly inspired a sense of duty as he was growing up.

Right from the start at the interviews I remember being pleasantly surprised by the attitude and energy of both Becky and Iain.

It is rare that any organisation says the key to their success is attitude and even rarer that they genuinely have it, but as well as being open and caring the team is clearly capable.

So far, I have made many steps up from my relaxed university days and am happy to have finally found an organisation that not only allows me to do my best but encourages me to. I have always wanted more meaning from life, often reaching the conclusion "You just have to play the game." But I am glad to have found work that really makes sense – work that is completely real and really matters.

If you feel life should be better and are prepared to work hard for it, I sincerely look forward to you joining us in the future!

Paula, Beki, Sally, Sandra, Jo, Sue, Nicola, Paul, Michelle, and Christina are our mini-team of volunteers who feed the meerkats and other animals at The Oasis.

Beki has been doing this for the past 18 years, as well as fundraising for us at her family-run pet shop.

Paula is the co-ordinator for our mini-team of animal feeders.

(Sandra, Sally, and Paula are featured in the photo.)

Iain is director of Wildlife For All. He is author of several books including Actions Speak Louder Than Words and Wonders of Nature. He automatically donates all proceeds from his books and wildlife photography to our work. We are very fortunate to have these skills which considerably add to our educational efforts, as well as bringing in much needed finance.

The key to our success is attitude.The "me, me, me" psychology is problematic and severely limiting in many areas of life, including nature conservation. We know this and we train our team accordingly. A willingness to give and give and give is crucial, together with self-honesty. We are straightforward in our approach with everyone. Integrity matters.

I had a 15-year-old Ethiopian girl die in my arms during the famine in 1985. A few pence worth of medicine could have almost certainly saved her life. I've never forgotten her. We don't waste money.

The Oasis and Oasis Woods, The Tortoise Farm, and Komsberg Wilderness Nature Reserve clearly demonstrate the reality of our words. We mean what we say and we deliver.

If you're disillusioned by the "me, me, me" mentality and want to help pioneer a genuine alternative, see our Interviews section and contact us.