About Abavia: It takes a village...

The name Abavia is derived from the Latin word for Ancestress or Great-Great Grandmother, which we loved because we associate wisdom with generational knowledge, kindness and common sense being handed on.
 
So many of the life skills we learn come from the patience, practice and wisdom of those who have benefited themselves from being helped along the way.
 
Originating from an African proverb the phrase ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ conveys the message that it takes many different people with a variety of skills and qualities to provide a safe, healthy environment for young people to develop. A place where they are given the security, care and practical skills they need to grow, and realise their potential. Our name Abavia reflects our values - to provide valuable life skills and development, carefully tailored to every young person who learns with us.

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The Abavia team

Josh Booth - Director / General Manager

(Safer Recruitment, Prevent Lead, Encompass Lead, First Aider Trained)
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Abavia is led by Josh Booth, whose expertise and commitment are central to the organisation’s foundation and direction.
 
He is supported by a team of learning mentors who are not only experts in their respective fields but also bring a wealth of real-world experience. Together, they uphold our commitment to delivering exceptional vocational education, equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need for success.

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​Phoebe Wreford-Glanvill - Director / Business Manager

Phoebe leads on finance, strategy, and business planning. She is responsible for shaping the organisation’s long-term vision and ensuring financial sustainability in alignment with Abavia’s core mission: providing high-quality education for students who benefit from alternative provision. She also oversees funding, governance, and external partnerships, helping to position Abavia as a forward-thinking, impactful provider within the rural education space.
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Phoebe brings a strong background in both agriculture and project management to her role, and she also shares her own small herd of friendly goats with the students - a popular and therapeutic part of the farm hub that enhances the learning environment and student wellbeing.

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Joel Cameron - Contracts Manager (Luccombe Hub)

(DSL, Safer Recruitment, Medicine Training, Prevent & Encompass Trained)

Joel brings a wealth of experience from the charity, recruitment, and operations sectors, with a strong focus on supporting young people facing barriers to education or employment. With a background in managing multi-agency projects and frontline services, Joel has led initiatives focused on youth rehabilitation, skills development, and long-term positive outcomes.
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At Abavia, Joel uses this broad expertise to oversee tailored programmes that help students build confidence, gain work-ready skills, and re-engage with learning. Passionate about creating meaningful opportunities, Joel ensures every young person is seen, supported, and set up for success beyond the classroom.

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Stuart Newcombe - Agricultural Mechanic Tutor

(Prevent& Encompass Trained) 

With years of real-world experience in agricultural machinery maintenance and repair, Stuart brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge to our students. From tractors and telehandlers to balers and trailers, Stuart has worked across the farming sector and now shares those skills to inspire the next generation of land-based workers.
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Passionate about practical learning, Stuart creates a supportive, workshop-based environment where students develop confidence, discipline, and problem-solving skills through real tasks. Stuart is especially committed to helping young people who thrive outside the classroom discover their strengths and build a path toward employment or further training.

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Michael Secker - Horticulture Tutor

(Prevent & Encompass Trained) 

Michael Secker picked up the basics of fruit and veg growing on an allotment in Bristol which sparked a wider fascination of all things horticultural. Currently he's a grower for a community in Dorset and focuses on producing fruit and vegetables for the community in line with organic principles. At Abavia Michael brings a wealth of experience in Horticultural practices combined with a passion and desire to educate young people in sustainable land management methods.
 
As part of this he loves experimenting with using flowers, herbs and polyculture planting to bring in beneficial insects and wildlife to deal with pests and problems, creating a beautiful productive space. As a grower he also aims to use as much material from the site as possible, composting what he can and utilising natural resources round the site. 

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Tilly Mockridge - Agriculture Vocational Lead

(DDSL, Prevent & Encompass Trained)

Tilly is a dedicated Animal Care Teacher with a strong background in both animal welfare and human support. Before moving into education, she worked in care for people with learning difficulties, where she developed patience, empathy, and a commitment to helping others thrive.
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Her passion for animals has been lifelong, and she now combines that with her skills in care to inspire and guide students in animal care studies. She enjoys sharing her knowledge, facilitating hands-on learning, and encouraging students to develop both technical skills and compassion for the animals they work with.