Operations Manager
Sarah’s connection with the Park began in March 2024 when she joined as a volunteer in the gardens. Following a cancer diagnosis, she became increasingly passionate about healthy, sustainable living and wanted to reduce her reliance on supermarket produce by growing her own organic vegetables.
Living on a farm high up on the Black Mountain within the Brecon Beacons National Park, she found it difficult to access locally grown produce due to the remoteness of her location. When she saw an advertisement for a free six-week horticultural course at the Park, she decided to take part.
During the course, Sarah learned the fundamentals of growing vegetables from seed and gained the confidence to begin cultivating produce at home. Under the guidance of Yvonne, whose enthusiasm and knowledge made a lasting impression, Sarah developed skills that continue to benefit her today. Two years later, she is well on her way to becoming increasingly self-sufficient, growing more vegetables each year and enjoying the rewards of home-grown produce.
Following the course, Sarah successfully applied for an administrative role at the Park in July 2024. Prior to this, she had enjoyed a successful career with AstraZeneca, leaving her position as Programme Director in 2013 to focus on renovating a barn on the family farm into a holiday cottage business. However, following her cancer diagnosis, she felt a need to reconnect with the community and rebuild her confidence. She remains deeply grateful to Bishop’s Park Trust for providing an opportunity at a time when she needed it most.
Since joining the organisation, Sarah has supported a wide range of projects and activities, working closely with the Trust Manager and Assistant Gardener before taking responsibility for the Park’s events programme in 2025. As Chair of the Llangadog Gardening Club, she was able to bring together contacts and expertise from both organisations to help deliver a successful and well-received calendar of events throughout the year.
Her commitment, adaptability and enthusiasm for the Park’s mission led to her appointment as Operations Manager in July 2026. In this role, she oversees a broad range of operational activities and enjoys the challenge of managing a dynamic and ever-changing environment, describing it as “very reactive, so you never quite know what each day will bring.”
Alongside her operational responsibilities, Sarah is currently project managing the transformation of The Lodge into a holiday cottage. Once completed, the project will provide an important new income stream, helping to secure much-needed funding for the Park’s future.
Sarah is a strong advocate for volunteering and firmly believes that taking the first step can open unexpected doors. Her own journey from volunteer to Operations Manager demonstrates the opportunities that can arise through community involvement, learning new skills and embracing new challenges.
“I love the setting and looking out over the Jenkinson Garden. Most of all, I love the people I have met along the way. The friendships, support and sense of community are what make working here so rewarding”.
Staff Stories – Sarah Dobson
Posted: 20/10/2026 by Anne
Operations Manager
Sarah’s connection with the Park began in March 2024 when she joined as a volunteer in the gardens. Following a cancer diagnosis, she became increasingly passionate about healthy, sustainable living and wanted to reduce her reliance on supermarket produce by growing her own organic vegetables.
Living on a farm high up on the Black Mountain within the Brecon Beacons National Park, she found it difficult to access locally grown produce due to the remoteness of her location. When she saw an advertisement for a free six-week horticultural course at the Park, she decided to take part.
During the course, Sarah learned the fundamentals of growing vegetables from seed and gained the confidence to begin cultivating produce at home. Under the guidance of Yvonne, whose enthusiasm and knowledge made a lasting impression, Sarah developed skills that continue to benefit her today. Two years later, she is well on her way to becoming increasingly self-sufficient, growing more vegetables each year and enjoying the rewards of home-grown produce.
Following the course, Sarah successfully applied for an administrative role at the Park in July 2024. Prior to this, she had enjoyed a successful career with AstraZeneca, leaving her position as Programme Director in 2013 to focus on renovating a barn on the family farm into a holiday cottage business. However, following her cancer diagnosis, she felt a need to reconnect with the community and rebuild her confidence. She remains deeply grateful to Bishop’s Park Trust for providing an opportunity at a time when she needed it most.
Since joining the organisation, Sarah has supported a wide range of projects and activities, working closely with the Trust Manager and Assistant Gardener before taking responsibility for the Park’s events programme in 2025. As Chair of the Llangadog Gardening Club, she was able to bring together contacts and expertise from both organisations to help deliver a successful and well-received calendar of events throughout the year.
Her commitment, adaptability and enthusiasm for the Park’s mission led to her appointment as Operations Manager in July 2026. In this role, she oversees a broad range of operational activities and enjoys the challenge of managing a dynamic and ever-changing environment, describing it as “very reactive, so you never quite know what each day will bring.”
Alongside her operational responsibilities, Sarah is currently project managing the transformation of The Lodge into a holiday cottage. Once completed, the project will provide an important new income stream, helping to secure much-needed funding for the Park’s future.
Sarah is a strong advocate for volunteering and firmly believes that taking the first step can open unexpected doors. Her own journey from volunteer to Operations Manager demonstrates the opportunities that can arise through community involvement, learning new skills and embracing new challenges.
“I love the setting and looking out over the Jenkinson Garden. Most of all, I love the people I have met along the way. The friendships, support and sense of community are what make working here so rewarding”.
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