Meet the tutor: Rachel Tappin

After working in radio, and business management for more than 20 years, Rachel chose to turn her passion for horticulture and nature into a new career.  Rachel leads gardening workshops with nature at their core, she is trained in permaculture* which is a design method that uses nature as inspiration.  She has a Level 2 (City and Guild), Distinction, in the ‘Extended Certificate in Horticulture’ from OrganicLea.

Rachel has trained in social therapeutic horticulture and is motivated by the therapeutic benefits of gardening.  The majority of her work is focused at community-based settings; she works with and supports volunteers at various horticulture, well-being projects in North East London.

*Permaculture gardening is a holistic approach to gardening that seeks to integrate plants, animals, buildings, and people in a way that creates a harmonious ecosystem that can thrive on its own.  It is a way to work with the natural forces of wind, water and sun to create a more permanent, self-sustaining garden ecosystem in your own garden.  The design mimics nature so that you can garden organically, encourage the right wildlife and have a low maintenance garden in one hit.