Meet the Team

John Cox – Company Director

John oversees all of Malpas Court Social Enterprise business activity, but Tyfu is the project that is closest to his heart. He has supported the development of the project from its inception 10 years ago and takes a personal interest in the pastoral and personal progress of the learners. John regularly helps with the catering learning with a history of skilled butchery and catering skills. John has worked with all the current learners to achieve food hygiene level 1 qualifications and is supporting those who are now moving on to level 2.

“…personal growth for our learners is paramount”

Andrew Desmond – Strategic Project Director

Andrew comes to Tyfu with a wealth of experience in underpinning strategy and partnerships, with focused development, planning and delivery skills. One of Andrew’s key aims is to ensure that we have a robust and valuable programme of learning opportunities, including a partnership network, that provides the best platform on which our service users can thrive.

Andrew does not just operate behind the scenes, and has also developed a basic IT literacy programme that is adaptable to both physical and neurodiverse needs and delivers on some of the activity. Andrew is the point of contact for partners, referrals and admin-based questions and is always happy to help.

“It’s a welcome additional to my work portfolio and a pleasure to see the joy the project brings to the learners and their parents, carers or guardians; we take pride in being able to systematically monitor and track development at every and all stages”

Adam Cox - Operational Project Director

Adam brought Tyfu to Malpas Court 10 years ago when the current learners were at risk of losing a place and facility to local authority asset transfers. Adam developed and wrote the initial v1 ‘seed to plate’ project that he is proud to have seen grown into much more of an independent living programme. Adam will be one of the first faces that any new learner and their caregiver will see and will often facilitate the site visits and initial consultations.

“Individual progress is key – no matter how small we will always develop our learners and demonstrate this via learning plans. We celebrate the wins and always want everyone to feel part of a team and experience new things where possible. We use TSI to make sure we get the best responses from our learners”

Emma Harper – Project Support Coordinator

Emma comes with over 15 years of experience in giving complex care needs and is the day-to-day Senior coordinator of project activity. Tyfu is a pivot from Emma’s previous role, where the focus was on complex care as opposed to Tyfu, which is focused on learner development, while managing needs. From personal care to hygiene reminders Emma is the perfect friendly face that greets our learners each day with a smile and facilitates their learning and support requirements.

“I just love coming to work and watching my guys develop. Sticking to an individual outcomes and learning plan helps with structure and monitoring development. If it's fine motor skills, food hygiene certificates or seeing the cycle of plants growing to harvest, we celebrate all the wins”

Sarah Brown – Project Support Coordinator

Sarah started her role with Malpas Court within the catering arm, but an opportunity came for her to develop new skills and Sarah joined Tyfu as our main support worker. Sarah is relishing the challenge of working with the variety of personalities our learners bring and always greets everyone with a smile and a friendly chit chat before the day. Sarah excels in the wellbeing aspects of the programme, as she delivers our physiotherapy, yoga and exercise sessions, which are designed on an individual basis by a qualified therapist that support mobility and manage pain for some of our learners.

 “I love my job! Watching people grow and learn is a pleasure. Helping them manage mobility and pain is something I get real pleasure out of as it sometimes visibly obvious we are helping”

Jackie Athay – Project Support coordinator

Jackie started her involvement with Malpas Court as a volunteer and sampled many elements of the business which won her heart when she started supporting Tyfu. Jackie is the master of all, turning her hand to support some of the specific roles. It doesn’t matter if it is paperwork or soil preparation for the gardener, Jackie undertakes every activity with a song. Nothing is ever too much trouble.

“The role is extremely diverse and rewarding. No two days are the same and every day is a pleasure. I don’t feel like I come to work, I come to help people grow.”