Abie Raynsford
Norwich,Choose State
Summary
Aspiring to live simply, work creatively & collaboratively alongside a diversity of communities, to share skills & inspiration in order to help grow local networks, deepen community resilience and make real connections with people, helping us come back to our common roots
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
4015
4015
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Self-employed Gardener & Decorator
Gardening & Painting & Decorating
Norwich, Norfolk
2009.01 - Current
- 17 years establishing designing, installing and maintaining a diverse range of urban and rural gardens, managing all aspects of the project including liaising with clients, budgeting, sourcing of materials.
- Painting and Decorating homes in Norfolk, Devon, Stroud, Bristol, London, Orkney
Publicity | Workshops Coordinator | Production
Buddhafield
Devon
2005.07 - 2023.12
- 20 years working part-time work the charity, including 3 years full-time festival management for a 4,000 people, off-grid annual festival
- Head of Production (‘Entertainments’, 2023 – 2024) responsible for the planning, recruitment of team, overseeing the installation of all sound, lighting and staging for 8 workshop marquees, liaising with external contractors and multiple area coordinators on site
- Workshop Guardian Coordinator (2014 – 2023) recruiting, mentoring, managing a team of 14 volunteers
- Workshop Coordinator (2009 – 2013) coordinating hundreds of workshops and workshop leaders; designing volunteer roles, recruiting and training about 200 volunteers over the duration
- Publicity & Marketing Lead (2009 – 2012) for the festival and promotion of all year-round events and a Retreats programme for 3 years overseeing a £6,000 annual budget
- Created detailed schedules, conducted research & streamlined work processes; improved workflow efficiency and implemented risk management strategies
- Adapted to unforeseen challenges with proactive, flexible approach
Head Gardener
Alfoxton Buddhist Community
Somerset
2022.02 - 2022.09
- 7 months volunteering, living & working regenerating a 1 acre allotment space
- Co-managed and trained a diverse range of volunteers in horticultural practices to improve their gardening skills
Festival Volunteer Manager
Out There Arts Out There Street Theatre & Circus Festival
Great Yarmouth
2015.01 - 2015.01
- Trained & co-ordinated 50 volunteers
- Diverse demographic based in and around Great Yarmouth
Creative Practitioner
Creative Partnerships | Catton Grove Junior School
Norwich
2009.01 - 2009.05
- Facilitating experimental, student-led, creative workshops over 20-week period alongside teachers & other Creative Practitioners
SEN Teaching Assistant
Wymondham, Norfolk
2008.01 - 2008.01
Publicity & Fundraising Co-ordinator
Norwich Buddhist Centre
Norwich
2004.01 - 2005.01
- Designed, printed and distributed publicity for a diverse programme of events along with increasing social media profile
- Coordinated charity events for increased public awareness such as ‘Skills Auctions’
- Organised volunteer training sessions to improve event management.
- Managed a team of volunteers, ensured smooth event execution and increasing sales from about £50 to over £400 on a charity stall.
Shop Assistant
Norfolk Education & Action Development NEAD Charity Shop
Norwich
2004.06 - 2004.12
- Merchandising, updated window displays regularly, promoted sales to increase store revenue; greeted every customer warmly, promoting friendly atmosphere
Shop Assistant
Rainbow Wholefoods Shop
Norwich
2002.01 - 2004.01
- All aspects of customer service and stock control
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
Norwich
2001.01 - 2002.01
- International Colleagues School of English (ICS)
TEFL Teacher
International Colleagues School of English
Norwich
2001.01 - 2002.01
Core Team Member
Evolution Gift Shop
1998.01 - 2000.01
- Helping create large scale displays on the shop floor
- Assisted with installation of large window displays
- Sourced designer clothing and bags from external retailers
- Responsible for all aspects of cash/credit handling
- Genuine and effective customer service
- Futon sales
Education
RHS Level 2 Practical Horticulture (QCF) - Horticulture
Easton & Otley College
Norwich09.2014
Permaculture Design Course - Holistic Landscape & Systems Design
L'Universite Populaire de Permaculture
England /2009 - /2009
BA (Hons) Visual Studies - Art & Design
Norwich University of the Arts (NSAD)
Norwich, Norfolk /2005 - /2008
AQA - Spanish
Wensum Lodge
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL/CELTA) -
Bell School
NorwichBTEC Foundation Studies in Art & Design - undefined
Norwich School of Art & Design
A Level Art - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
A Level English - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
GCSE Photography - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
11 GCSE’s - undefined
Old Buckenham High School
Skills
- Communication skills
- Team Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Visual merchandising
- Bespoke customer service
- Publicity & Marketing
- Social media & Film Making Software
- Creative problem-solving
- Resourcefulness
Personal Information
Date of birth: 1st July 1976
Custom Section
Diversity & Inclusion Buddhafield, 2023
Compassionate Communication (NVC) 2019, 2014, 2012
Worksafe First Aid, 2012
Building Restorative Justice Systems, 2019
DBS Check, 2019
Designed, organised & co-lead 4 projects during my Visual Studies degree, including 3 public art exhibitions & a fundraising Art Auction raising £5,000 at The Forum, Norwich, 2005-8
Driving License since 1993
Affiliations
- Photography & Film Making
- Nature, walks & being by the sea
- Music
Timeline
Head Gardener
Alfoxton Buddhist Community
2022.02 - 2022.09
Festival Volunteer Manager
Out There Arts Out There Street Theatre & Circus Festival
2015.01 - 2015.01
Creative Practitioner
Creative Partnerships | Catton Grove Junior School
2009.01 - 2009.05
Self-employed Gardener & Decorator
Gardening & Painting & Decorating
2009.01 - Current
SEN Teaching Assistant
2008.01 - 2008.01
Publicity | Workshops Coordinator | Production
Buddhafield
2005.07 - 2023.12
Shop Assistant
Norfolk Education & Action Development NEAD Charity Shop
2004.06 - 2004.12
Publicity & Fundraising Co-ordinator
Norwich Buddhist Centre
2004.01 - 2005.01
Shop Assistant
Rainbow Wholefoods Shop
2002.01 - 2004.01
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
2001.01 - 2002.01
TEFL Teacher
International Colleagues School of English
2001.01 - 2002.01
Core Team Member
Evolution Gift Shop
1998.01 - 2000.01
AQA - Spanish
Wensum Lodge
BTEC Foundation Studies in Art & Design - undefined
Norwich School of Art & Design
A Level Art - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
A Level English - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
GCSE Photography - undefined
Hewett Sixth Form
11 GCSE’s - undefined
Old Buckenham High School
RHS Level 2 Practical Horticulture (QCF) - Horticulture
Easton & Otley College
Permaculture Design Course - Holistic Landscape & Systems Design
L'Universite Populaire de Permaculture
/2009 - /2009
BA (Hons) Visual Studies - Art & Design
Norwich University of the Arts (NSAD)
/2005 - /2008
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL/CELTA) -
Bell School