The Coach House People

Wendy Greek

Coach House Cook

Wendy is responsible for the delicious vegan and vegetarian food served at The Coach House! 

Bryony Middleton

Head Gardener

Bryony co-manages the gardens with Emily Ings and is particularly responsible for the incredible productivity (and look!) of the Walled Garden and our Grade II-listed Percy Cane gardens.

Her vegetable & herb-growing abilities ensure our retreatants are fed admirably - and organically!

Emily Smith

Retreat Admin Assistant

Barry Thurgood

Coach House Manager

Barry has a long term connection with Sharpham - he was a volunteer Retreat Coordinator at The Barn and has lead many retreats in the House and the Woodland Campsite.

He feels a deep connection to the land, especially Dartmoor, and so is delighted to be the Coach House manager with its nature connection ethos. He says "Sharpham has been a big support to me over the years and it is an honour to offer that same support to others".

Cara Tang

Volunteer Retreat Coordinator

Says Cara: "The vision of Sharpham and the model of retreats and initiatives held here to me is a weaving together of many of the threads from which I've found nourishment and meaning throughout the past years - embodying mindfulness in everyday life, living and working together in community, and connecting with nature and the natural world. Not to mention happy, healthy and yummy food!"

"To be a part of something that is able to offer to others the space, nourishment and inspiration that I've also received from the practice, from my time here, and from all these different elements has been so far a humbling and tender experience. As a budding coordinator, I hope to continue to learn to hold and at the same time be held by the co-creative magic that Sharpham and The Coach House have to offer".

Vik Walduck

Volunteer Retreat Coordinator

Vik is a mindfulness teacher and has completed an MSc in Mindfulness Based Approaches at Bangor University. She has a particular interest in the areas of attention and self-compassion and has done research in these areas. Vik is also a mindful movement and Yin yoga teacher.

She has taught mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for 15 years and has a particular interest in the areas of attention and self-compassion.

Says Vik: "I love all different kinds of retreats and I really believe that learning this stuff helps people heal and lead better lives".

"And it's so special here - witnessing how people can begin to change over the week they're with us."

Jen Matauic

Volunteer Retreat Coordinator

Jen holds an MA in Spiritual Formation with a concentration in Outdoor & Adventure Leadership, an MSc in Psychology, and a PGDip in Spiritual Direction. With seven years of experience as a spiritual director, she works with individuals seeking creative and personalized spiritual growth. Jen is passionate about helping others connect with nature’s cycles for personal transformation and offers workshops on the Pagan Wheel of the Year, where she emphasizes working with, rather than against, the natural rhythms of life.

In addition to her work in spiritual direction, Jen teaches meditation methods such as Lectio Divina and is a member of Spiritual Directors International, the British Psychological Society, and Lapidus International, a society focused on writing for wellbeing. She also finds joy in creativity and writing, believing that these tools can facilitate self-discovery and personal growth.

With a background in acting and improv, Jen loves staying "in the moment" and believes that these art forms, along with mindfulness, offer valuable insights into navigating life's challenges. She is eager to bring her knowledge and experience to the retreats at the Coach House, with the goal of providing transformative experiences for all participants.