Meet the Team
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Dilly
Name: Delyse
Role at the Charity: Charity Manager
About Me: Hi! I’m Delyse I prefer to be called Dilly (my childhood nickname). I’ve been part of the charity since October 2021, when I came to buy a kilo of chillies and got a whole bunch more! I’m passionate about making a difference to people’s lives through providing opportunities and experiences for them. I love being part of a team that’s making a real difference in our community.
What I Do: At Uncle Pauls Chilli Farm Charity, I work with the most fabulous talented team, my role is to oversee all the projects and opportunities within the Charity to make the most impact for those who come through our gates. Whether it’s seeking new opportunities and partnerships or writing bids or picking chillies or just bringing good vibes to the team, I’m always happy to help.
Why I Got Involved: I first connected with UPCFC after I found myself at a crossroads in my life, after we have been through the covid lockdowns, and I had lost a significant family member. I was asking myself what I am doing with everything is it time for change? I had worked in the education sector for 25 years I was ready for a few challenges. By chance I had the opportunity to meet one of the trustees of the Charity and found myself in a position to start the most exciting of adventures, I started out by setting up the red chilli kitchen for the charity, making the now award-winning range of Jams, Chutneys and Chilli Sauces for the charity! Then in March 2025 I was made the Charity Manager. It’s been an inspiring journey, and I’ve learned so much along the way.
A Fun Fact About Me: I have a large, very large selection of shoes!
Favourite Moment So Far for working in the Charity: Seeing the progress of multiple individuals who have attend with lower confidence, but in time flourish and move forward to find their new adventures.
Let’s Connect: If you see me at one of our events, come say hi! I’m always up for a chat and love hearing people’s stories.
Steve
Name: Steve
Role at the charity: Lead Practitioner
About me: I trained in Horticulture and Forest School. I traded my gardening business in for a teaching career to support various learner groups to engage with nature.
What I do: I help the team coordinate and develop areas, help with repairs and construction and support beneficiaries to get the most out of their time at the farm.
Why I got involved: To help beneficiaries build confidence, learn new skills and improve independence.
A fun fact about me: I used to rock climb even though I don’t like heights.
Favourite moment so far: When I hear someone had a really great day at the farm.
Let’s connect: Always here for a chat
Lucy
Name: Lucy
Role at the Charity: Charity Co-ordinator
About Me: I started working with the charity in January 2022 after volunteering with the animals from October 2021. The concept of the charity and what they wanted to offer to those requiring support was and still is infectious and I couldn’t wait to be involved.
What I do: I work both behind the scenes and at the farm, helping with group sessions and wellbeing days. Being a small team we are all hands on and happy to be involved wherever we are needed.
Why I got involved: I started volunteering after meeting one of the trustees and loved what the charity was doing and the difference it was making to those attending.
A Fun Fact About Me: I kept horses for 27 years. Animals are great for your mental wellbeing.
Favourite Moment So Far: Running the wellbeing days, seeing people arrive stressed and anxious but leave happy and relaxed having met new friends.
Lets Connect: Look out for one of our wellbeing days or email me any queries and I will get back to you.
Fiona
Name: Fiona
Role: SAVI Project Worker
About Me: I'm a creative therapist by training with a love for the outdoors. In my spare time I like dancing, wild swimming and listening to podcasts.
What I do: I work on the farm with beneficiaries growing, weeding, maintaining and doing anything that needs doing!
Why I got involved: I love growing veg, working in nature and helping people and this role brought those loves together.
Fun Fact: Before coming to the South West, I lived off-grid on a little island off the west coast of Scotland!
Favourite moment: Making wooden owls with Brandon Trust Monday group!
Let's Connect: You'll see me around the farm! Let's grab a brew and then get to work together :)
Jack
Name: Jack
Role at the Charity: Farm Technician
About Me: I started at Weston College on SEND course and attended the farm as part of my course. I then went on an into work course, where a placement was found for me at the charity. At the end of this placement, I was offered a position in the charity.
What I do: I work with Uncle Paul in the chilli tunnels helping with general daily tasks. I also help and mentor some of the individuals and groups that come to the farm.
Why I got involved: I liked being outside and gardening and was comfortable with the staff, they made me feel confident and I was happy to try new things.
A Fun Fact About Me: I used to horse ride for 9 years and started when I was only 5 years old.
Favourite Moment So Far: I like attending the food markets and meeting the customers.
Lets Connect: You will find me at the farm or in the kitchen, where I help labelling and filling the jars.
Emma
Name: Emma
Role: SAVI Project Worker
About Me: I'm Emma, I'm based in Bristol and I love to build community through connection to the land and music. I enjoy camping, walking, playing music and spending time with people in nature wherever possible.
What I do: I work on the farm with our team to support beneficiaries to connect to the land through agroecological practices such as growing fruit and veg, composting and woodland management.
Why I got involved: Uncle Paul's Chilli Charity for me is a perfect combination of working on the land and improving the confidence and wellbeing of the people that visit.
Fun Fact: I played in a samba drumming band for 8 years in Sheffield.
Favourite Moment: Singing with the Brandon Trust Thursday group after a morning of harvesting and weeding.
Leila
Name: Leila
Role at the Charity: Partner Organisation
About Me: I am a qualified Veterinary Nurse, Advanced Autism Practitioner, and lecturer in SEND and
Inclusive Practice. I’ve worked in education for over 20 years and continue to teach autism studies at degree level.
What I Do: I care for the animals here at UPCC and design inclusive, neurodiversity-informed experiences where animals and nature support personal growth, communication, and confidence.
Why I Got Involved: Because I’ve seen how powerful animals and nature can be in helping people feel calm,
understood, and connected. I wanted to create safe spaces outside of traditional systems, especially for those who may feel overlooked or misunderstood.
A Fun Fact About Me: I often just start speaking in different accents during conversation — sometimes without
even realising I’m doing it!
Favourite Moment So Far: Seeing the incredible impact the animals have on our beneficiaries — and how the animals
themselves grow and develop through the relationships they build with the people they meet.
Let’s connect: Come over and chat to me and visit the animals.
Jemma
Name: Jemma
Role at the charity: Production Kitchen Lead and Support Worker
About me: I am a mother of two, Freya and Finlay and my son is Autistic. I live with my partner Russ in Bristol and I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and walking our dogs. I also enjoy watching Rugby.
What I do: I am based at the Red Chilli Kitchn in Lower Langford and I cook all the amazing award-winning products and support our beneficiaries. I also help at the farm in Butcombe if needed.
Why I got involved: I started volunteering at the kitchen after meeting Dilly at an event. I was very impressed with what the charity was about. After a year my circumstances changed and I applied for the Kitchen job and was exited to become part of the team.
A fun fact about me: Before starting work in the kitchen, I had never made a jam, chutney or sauce in my life!
Favourite moment so far: seeing some of our volunteers and beneficiaries come on leaps and bounds with their confidence and abilities in the kitchen.
Let’s connect: Come and chat to me at one of the many markets we attend.
Sharon
Name: Sharon
Role at the Charity: SAVI Project Worker
About Me: I’m Sharon, and I’ve been part of Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity since May 2025. I’m passionate about empowering our beneficiaries to challenge themselves and achieve their goals and I love being part of a team that’s making a real difference.
What I Do: I work at the Red Chilli Kitchen in Lower Langford where we make our award winning sauces, jams and preserves, all made with our very own chillies and produce from our farm. I do the administration for the Kitchen.
Why I Got Involved: I started volunteering with the charity as my friend Jemma already worked there and I soon realised it would be an amazing place to work.
A Fun Fact About Me: When I went travelling around Australia I ended up working on a banana plantation in Tully for 8 weeks harvesting the bananas !
Favourite Moment So Far: I love working with the beneficiaries and seeing their confidence grow week after week.
Let’s Connect: If you see me at one of our events, come say hi! I’m always up for a chat and love hearing people’s stories.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
- Audrey Hepburn