Hi, I’m Tila. I was born in Mexico and have lived, studied and worked in Mexico, the US, and the UK. I have a Master’s in Fine Art, and my work – both creative and community-based – is all about the connection between culture and nature.

I’m currently the Garden Officer at Bridge Street Community Garden in Banbury. It’s a lovely, welcoming food forest garden made up of hexagonal raised beds. I also work as a mentor for Oxfordshire County Council, supporting community gardening projects through the Oxfordshire Community Action Group network.

Over the years I’ve done a few permaculture and food forest gardening courses, and I’ve got plenty of experience running hands-on workshops, nature-based wellbeing sessions and creative community events. I help with fundraising and outreach, and I support a brilliant team of local freelancers who help us keep things going at the garden.

At the moment, I’m also leading a grassroots tree-planting project in Banbury – we’re growing trees from seed and planting thousands across the area, which is really exciting.

I’m passionate about nurturing both people and the planet. I truly believe that connecting with nature can bring people together, build stronger communities and help us face some of the big challenges – like isolation, racism, and climate change – from the ground up.

I also really value collaboration and mutual support. For me, it’s important to be part of a wider network of growers and community organisers who learn from each other and help each other out. I see community gardens as part of something bigger, and I love finding ways to connect and celebrate what we’re all doing together.