Shelly
Founder and directorPlane Tree founder and director. After graduating with an arts degree, Shelly facilitated community arts projects and worked in mental health settings. She later went into teaching and specialised in SEND. She is qualified as a specialist leader of education (SLE) and for 12 years worked at 5-19 academy for pupils with complex needs and learning difficulties where she became head of Upper School. The frustration of seeing pupils leave special education with limited opportunities to engage in the world of work, led to the development of the Plane Tree Independent CIC.
Charles and Ann
Charlie co-directs the Plane Tree. He and his wife Ann have had long careers in education and social care, supporting children and adults with additional needs. They are committed to improving social integration and employment opportunities for neurodivergent people. They offer strategic support and regularly volunteer their time to work in the Plane Tree shop. Ann and Charlie are creatives themselves, working in ceramics and wood from their home in Beeston.
Theresa
Theresa volunteers at The Plane Tree each week. Her experience includes working in schools both in the UK and abroad, as well as a career that includes mental health and general nursing. She has also worked in retail. Theresa spent many years living in Australia and Canada before recently returning to the UK where she was of course, immediately snapped up by The Plane Tree!