Our team

Our Yard (formerly The Clitterhouse Farm Project) was founded in early 2013 by four local residents - Alistair Lambert, Luisa Vallejo, Paulette Singer and Thomas Ball. Since we started we have been fortunate to have met and worked alongside so many incredible, passionate and dedicated people. They have all, in some shape or form made us who we are today; by volunteering countless hours week-in, week-out and in all weathers; lending a hand at one of our events or workshops; supported us financially or through their skills or expertise; or they have spent hours talking to us and advising and guiding us along the way. Our Yard would quite simply not have made it this far without the support and kindness of these amazing people, and for that, we are truly grateful. Below are only just a few of the people involved.

  • A woman with long brown hair wearing an orange jacket and black turtleneck standing outdoors with a blurred green landscape background.

    Paulette Singer

    FOUNDING DIRECTOR

    Paulette is a Community Organiser, Art of Hosting Practitioner, Community research facilitator as well being a founding board director at Our Yard.

    An experienced project manager with a background of working in the homeless sector delivering on ESF, Local and Central Government contracts focussed on training, employment, community engagement and participatory hosting practices. Co-founder of Our Yard Paulette has a keen interest in innovative social businesses and their role within communities to support individual and collective power.

    Get in touch with Paulette at paulette@clitterhouse.com

  • A person with short brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing a pink scarf and burgundy sweater, standing near a tree with a wooden fence and green foliage in the background.

    Anika Bakirtzidis

    GARDEN MANAGER

    Anika officially joined the Clitterhouse Farm Project as Volunteer Manager and Outreach Coordinator in summer 2020, after having had volunteered in the farm garden for two years. In 2023, she became a board director at Our Yard and spearheads our efforts to achieve our environmental goals and commitments.

    Her professional background is in hospitality. She spent 20 years working in the five-star market, the majority of time as Duty Manager for top hotels in Berlin and London.

    Get in touch with Anika at garden@clitterhouse.com

  • Woman outdoors in the late afternoon, surrounded by trees and greenery, smiling at the camera.

    Vladanka Manceva

    GARDEN ASSISTANT MANAGER

    Vladanka is hugely passionate about gardening and the community helping Our Garden to thrive.

    She loves to introduce gardening and horticulture to people and the unique energy and skills that garden volunteers bring.

    Vladanka also shares her knowledge through running the Kids Garden Club, on top of that she is a talented pressed flower artist running regular workshops.

    Gardening for Vladanka is many things: beautiful, meditative, healthy, exciting, rewarding and creative.

  • Woman sitting at a table, writing in a notebook with a pen, wearing a black beret and black jacket, in a library or bookstore setting.

    Isher Dhiman

    MARKETING / EVENTS, ARTIST & ARTS FACILITATOR

    Isher runs our marketing and social media platforms with a blend of creativity and strategic thinking, drawing upon 20 years of experience in developing innovative marketing campaigns, organising impactful events, and promotional strategies.

    Isher is also an accomplished artist and works across various mediums. Her work has been exhibited in London and the US. Keep a look out for her art workshops, including mindfulness through art, mixed media, watercolour and many more art techniques for all levels.

  • Marta Pegram

    Marta Pegram

    PRIVATE HIRE COORDINATOR

    Marta is our private hire coordinator and works tirelessly in our café and at our events. Her energy and happy disposition have been a fixture at Our Yard since 2023. Get in touch for bookings and hires at celebrate@clitterhouse.com

  • A smiling woman with curly hair, wearing glasses, a light-colored nose ring, and a red leopard-print top, standing outdoors with trees and buildings in the background.

    Jenny Lawy

    Jenny has been part of the Farm team since 2019, whilst volunteering in the garden she decided to set up the Friday Little Critters Stay 'n' Play.

    Her background is in education and Social Anthropology and she is currently Head of Geography in a local secondary school where she brings her passion and energy for teaching.

    Keen on all things outdoor learning and fieldwork she is currently hosting a group to explore developing the Farm as a centre for outdoor education from EYFS to adults. If you are interested in being part of those conversations to make things happen, please do get in touch!

    wildrootsoutdoorlearning@gmail.com

  • A middle-aged man with a bald head, glasses, and a green shirt looking at the camera with a slight smile, standing in a plain indoor setting.

    Martyn Williams

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

    Martyn became Finance Director at Our Yard in 2020. He specialises in the Charity and Voluntary sector and has worked as finance director for a large number of charitable organisations and social enterprises. Martyn has set up trading arms for a number of these organisations, often being involved in the early stage running and development of the enterprise. Martyn’s previous work has included a consultancy to assist charities wishing to develop commercial income streams, co-founding a project to encourage philanthropy capital investment in social enterprises and director of a not-for-profit care agency.

  • A woman with shoulder-length black hair, smiling, wearing a black and white polka dot top and a large, layered gold necklace, standing against a plain light background.

    Leandra Jeram

    FINANCE OFFICER

    An experienced finance professional specialising in the charity sector with a career spanning over 12 years. Leandra’s roles as Treasurer, Finance Officer and Finance Manager have provided her with a diverse and solid foundation in finance and accounting. Leandra is fully qualified with Association of Accounting Technicians and is currently studying with CIMA. Leandra joined the team in 2020.

Other Board Directors

  • A man with glasses and a beard smiling, wearing a black and blue North Face jacket, standing on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean, with steep, grassy cliffs in the background.

    Thomas Ball

    FOUNDING DIRECTOR

    Thomas co-founded Our Yard in January 2013, having been involved in a number of grassroots initiatives in Cricklewood since 2008. A trained scientist, he spent over a decade making documentaries for a wide range of commercial and editorial clients such as the Guardian and National Geographic. From 2018 to 2023, he was Head of Partnerships and later Head of Business Advocacy at WWF. He is now a Director at Sustainable Futures - working with businesses and governments to tackle climate change and the loss of nature