SOW THE CITY - Key Persons
Ciarán McLoughlin | Community Grower Born in Liverpool and raised in Cheshire, Ciarán comes from a long line of gardeners and plant enthusiasts. In his professional life, he has worked in primary education for approximately 10 years supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Ciarán leapt at the chance to join the Sow the City team when the opportunity arose and is employed as a community grower, supporting various schools, groups, and associations throughout Greater Manchester. In his spare time Ciarán can be found tending his own allotment in Blackley, North Manchester, where he lives with his wife, dog and three cats.
Kieron McGlasson | Director Having grown up in the Lake District under the guidance of his Dad, a landscape gardener, Kieron has always thought it normal to grow your own food. After moving to Manchester for university, Kieron spent nine years in the regeneration sector at BDP delivering high profile projects. These often centred on the community engagement and sustainability elements of a city plan or neighbourhood strategy. Kieron then worked for two years in the social enterprise sector helping to build healthier communities in Salford. Joining Sow the City in 2014 has allowed Kieron to combine his roots, experience and personal interests with a career across the public, private and social enterprise sectors. His work combines his passions for food growing, his environmental conscience and his work in community development to create a happier, healthier city.
Laura Weaver | Assistant Manger, the Boiler House Laura was born and raised in Staffordshire and has always had a passion and connection to nature. She became an adopted Mancunian in 2012 when she came to Manchester to study Fine Art. Since leaving university Laura has been involved with projects with Blaze Arts and Step Up, which is where she found her passion for running art sessions and bringing creativity to communities. Laura joined in June 2021 and is the Link Worker for our Nature for Health project whilst also acting as Assistant Building Manager for the Boiler House .
Lucy Moore | Project Assistant Lucy grew up in London Lucy but has lived in Manchester for five years, where she has developed her interst in human environment interactions, through studying Geography at Undergraduate level and a Masters in Green Infrastructure, both at the University of Manchester. Lucy's placement at the social enterprise ‘Urban Growth' contibuted to her appreciation of the beneficial impact of nature on wellbeing. She is excited to be part team where she can develop her passion for urban greening at both the community and city scale.