Our people
Meet the Nudgers
We are a small but mighty staff team of four full-time people and a crew of part-time and freelance people.
As a Community Benefit Society we have a Board of Directors consisting of eight local people elected from the 595 members of Nudge.
Co-Founder & Co-Director
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Wendy is passionate about making a difference for people and seeing how they benefit from the opportunities Nudge are creating. She loves spending time on the street connecting, listening and making fun things happen.
She lives in Stonehouse with her family and has volunteered in the community for over 10 years before starting Nudge to do something about the empty buildings.
Her background in social housing and the voluntary sector has been key to creating Nudge making homes and spaces where small organisations can thrive.
Co-Founder & Co-Director
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Hannah is passionate about making lasting change on the street and disrupting systems that hold communities back. She loves making things and bringing colour to the street.
Hannah lives in Stonehouse with her family and has volunteered in the community for over 10 years.
She previously worked for Plymouth City Council Planning Department. Her background in community engagement and regeneration has helped Nudge to breathe life and hope into a street that has missed out for too long.
Finance Manager
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Yvonne looks after all things finance and keeps us running smoothly with fabulous spreadsheets, project planning support and getting systems and processes in place to support Nudge as it grows.
She brings her background in FTSE100 financial management and experience of supporting small businesses to make sure Nudge is managing our money and resources in ways that create best value for our community.
Operations & Communications Coordinator
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Nadine makes The Plot a special place where lots of different communities and organisations can grow and connect. She supports the many people who walk through our doors, whether they’re tenants, visitors or staff. Her background in design, admin and hospitality makes sure that Nudge is caring about all the big and little things that make a community work.
Nadine has a great eye and makes gorgeous merchandise for our shop. She looks after our website, takes care of our in-house design, and writes our newsletter, making sure our voice and brand are on point.
Currently, Nadine is supporting the Plotters in their efforts to function as a collective of entrepreneurs who collaborate, support each other, and come together to make The Plot the best it can be.
She has just launched lifecycle, a free community bike hire scheme at The Plot! Keep an eye on our socials and newsletter for announcements.
Events & Bookings Coordinator
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With a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry, Bec joined Nudge in October 2023 to help bring bigger, better, and more events to the community.
She’s currently getting ready for this year’s Union Street Party. When she’s not liaising with artists and promoters, she looks after the local residents who hire our buildings to put on their own events.
Volunteer Coordinator & Connector
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Since October 2023, Abi has spent her time with Nudge getting to know our lovely volunteers, finding them volunteering, networking and training opportunities, both with Nudge as well as other local organisations.
Abi is now turning her attention to The Greenhouse as we’re working with Plymouth University to give it a new lease of life.
C103 Site Manager
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From New York skyscrapers to a derelict club in Stonehouse, Rick knows his way around building sites.
Since joining us in May 2024, he's been overseeing all the stuff that's going on behind the scenes at C103 — liaising with our architect and engineers, dealing with manufacturers, and finding budget-friendly solutions to all the weird and wonderful issues that come with taking over unloved buildings!
Housekeeping
Front of House Assistant
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Dom is a local young person who joined Team Nudge in the summer of 2022 at the age of 15. He looks after visitors at The Plot, has a great rapport with the tenants and generally makes sure the space is tidy and welcoming.
Saturday Activity Maker
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Saturday Activity Maker
You can find Lou bringing arts and crafts to The Plot every first and second Saturday of the month!
On the first Saturday of every month, Lou runs the Stonehouse Social, bringing local residents together to get creative and learn about topical themes.
Saturday Activity Maker
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Fiona makes sure all Nudge spaces are kept spick and span, and often volunteers at The Plot to help look after our visitors. She's recently fallen in love with sewing and is a grandma of one. Fiona enjoys supporting and working with young people, volunteering and hairdressing.
Repairs & Maintenance
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Nick joined us in May 2024 to help us tackle the various issues that arise when operating in old, unloved buildings. Think blocked drains, doors off hinges, leaky roofs... There's not a lot Nick can't fix!
Nick runs Steadfast Property Development, brings a passion for community, and enjoys showing young people the ropes.
Brand Identity
City Farmhouse Manager
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Matt joined the team in November of 2024 to take on the mushroom farm Rick built in the old barrel cellar in C103. Matt’s got a strong background in hospitality and is an experienced mushroom grower — we can’t wait to see what he’s got in store for the farm!
Board of Directors
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Chair
When The Clipper was just open, Wendy took me out for a cuppa and some cake. She told me Nudge needed to create a board, and I explained that I wanted to be a “hands on” director, not one that turns up once a month and nods through the motions, and I think I've done that!
My career has been in the arts, musical theatre and contemporary dance. I created several dance projects and companies, including one of the first inclusive dance companies in England, the iDC. The company had residencies at the South Bank Center London and represented the UK on behalf of Arts Council England at international choreographic platforms in Europe. As movement director, I took two youth theater productions to China, and helped create the first youth theater production of Romeo and Juliet in both English and Chinese. I've also worked for Plymouth and Devon Social Services, creating opportunities for adults with learning and physical disabilities to achieve a better standard of life and to develop their skills.
I joined the board because I used to club endlesly on Union Street, and I wanted to see it get its mojo back. I bring my experience and expertise in the arts and inclusive practice to Nudge's governance. I enjoy Nudge's can-do attitude; just keep nudging!
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Although I have a B.Sc. in sociology, I never pursued it as a profession. Instead, I followed several paths, which eventually led to my establishing a furniture manufacturing business in Manchester in 1982. I sold the business to employees back in 2010, and since then I have been free to pursue other interests, reading, writing, travelling, following jazz and managing properties.My early interest in sociology has resurfaced in the form of engagement with urban social movements on the left of the political spectrum, which was a driving factor in my applying to become involved with Nudge.
I joined the Nudge board in November 2022, having moved to Plymouth two years previously, though I am no stranger to the city, as it was my father’s hometown, and I was a boarder at St. Boniface College throughout my teenage years.
I endeavour to bring to the Board my experience in establishing and operating an SME business, awareness of the socio-political landscape, and willingness coupled with time to assist in the challenges faced by the organisation. I also aim to bond socially with the team and to make new friendships along the way.
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I joined the board about four years ago, and I was chair for two years. I am a GP at Adelaide St Surgery. I understand the impact of poverty on all aspects of life in this neighbourhood and that we need innovative ideas to help people into community and work, and out of isolation and poverty. Nudge is not afraid to try new ideas; it works bravely, at speed, carrying hope. I love to see how big and small nudges are changing lives.
I am also on the board of Gifted Women, unlocking doors to employment for women overcoming multiple disadvantages.
I like to be creative, write, be in nature, go to church, and be with animals. I am currently studying for an MA in Theology.
I am married to Jojo, have an adult son, Milo, and a cockapoo Taffy.
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I am fascinated with technology, predominantly how we can interact with technology and how it can enable people to do things they never thought they could.
Currently you can find me in the Greenhouse at The Plot, helping people learn how to further their creativity through 3D printing, graphic design and other mediums.
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Hannah asked me to join the Nudge Board right at the start (in 2016, I think) and it’s difficult not to love and respect Hannah and Wendy’s passion for community-led change; so I did, and I’ve never looked back!I’m employed by Plymouth City Council, in the Economic Development Department, where my job title is Economy, Partnerships and Regeneration Manager.
I mainly work on the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, plus help set up and support the City Centre and Waterfront Business Improvement Districts. I hope that a background in community economic development, coupled with my commitment to regenerative practice, can help Nudge continue to flourish.
Nudge’s ambitious vision and objectives inspire me, plus the Nudge team are simply amazing – productive, creative, inclusive, supportive, etc., etc., and also great fun people!
Outside of Nudge and work, I enjoy keeping active and fit, spending time with family and friends; plus I love being outdoors in nature, gardening, reading, and our weekly pub quiz with a drink… or three!
