Rachel Houghton - Trustee

I am a new Trustee at The Secret Space (TSS), joining in July 2024. However, I first came to TSS back in 2014 when I moved to Hertford and was looking for a like-minded community. I obviously found one, as here I am, 10 yrs later! The TSS has a special place in my heart as a sanctuary of serenity in the heart of Hertford, and I strongly support its core charitable ethos.

For the past 25 years I have worked in a variety of collaborative initiatives in the humanitarian and international development sectors, engaging across the UN, NGOs, the Red Cross, donors, media justice organisations, and with local and national partners in countries affected by crisis. I am an Accredited Partnership Broker and a trained leadership coach. I have broad skills and experience in running small organisations and in being in management and advisory positions in larger ones. At the moment I’m working as a consultant, focusing on things like strategy and organisational development, team building, and partnership and network building.

I place great importance on nurturing mind, body and spirit, and can often be found reading poetry, going for walks in Panshanger Park or running a ‘soulful’ art group in my friend’s local art studio near Tewin.