Rachel Barker joins ATE as Admin and Finance Officer!

Rachel comes from the accounts department of a global market research company. However, having taught maths for a number of years in secondary and primary schools, as well as working with young people who had been permanently excluded from school, she knows first-hand how vital all the support systems around school are. This is what fired her passion for ATE.  Knowing that those excluded from the community because of disability, those unable to learn because they are hungry and those unable to study because they are female are all being supported by ATE in Ghana has inspired her.

This role perfectly matches her outside interest working to promote healthy lifestyles through the Hungerford Food Community group, where she is the treasurer.  The Food Community group organise monthly food and artisan markets for local producers, giving them an opportunity to link with local customers. The money raised is then used to provide workshops, demonstrations and mentoring around  cooking from scratch on a budget, cooking foraged food and growing food from seed.  She brings all her passion to ATE looking to play a part in supporting the issues dear to her heart in another community.  She has high hopes of bringing Hungerford and Lawra district closer in many ways. She has lived in Hungerford for 23 years.

Rachel has 3 grown up sons and husband Rob – all of whom share her passion for the environment and sustainability. Sam – eldest – is an ecologist, Matt – the middle one –  researches and rates companies on their green credentials and Jonny – youngest – is vegetarian, expert at sourcing pre-loved clothing, and pursues his music tech dreams. Rob works with a solar power company. Rachel was chair of the local scout group when her sons were young and has always taken an active interest in the local community.  She is very proud to have joined the ATE team and we’re really excited to have her with us – great admin and robust financial systems are key to the success of a small charity and we’re so excited to make great use of her wealth of skills and experience.