“Anyone who has time for drama is not gardening enough.”

- The Team -

Our community Interest company has two directors and a scrutiny board:


Jakob Kaye, Director

Jakob founded ELVES CIC in early 2024 having worked at the Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service and conceptualised the vision of a social enterprise to address local poverty and social isolation issues through gardening assistance.

Jakob is the Enterprise Manager at Midsteeple Quarter a community benefit society in Dumfries working towards town centre regeneration through supporting young entrepreneurs. 

Jakob is passionate about native trees and biodiversity but in the garden he loves a hedge which is shapely and also supports wildlife.

Ben Hobman, Director

Ben has worked as an activities coach for young people throughout his career whilst being a gardener. With a passion for educating young people in gardening, being naturally green fingered and bringing a library of plant knowledge to the table, we can be sure that Dumfries gardens will bloom in bounties of roses and sweet peas.

Ben is a wildlife enthusiast and keen fisherman. With climate change issues at the forefront of his mind he is keen to protect biodiversity even in the smallest of garden.

- Scrutiny Panel -

ELVES CIC believe that scrutiny from experienced or relevant people is essential to ensure we are operating towards everyone's best interests. Our panel is growing as we become established. We welcome input from all areas of relevant industries to get feedback on our reports and keep us on the right track to providing the best possible service. We also call upon our panel when we find challenges of think of new ideas to continuously develop our practises.

Our panel consists of

Lisa Todd - CEO of Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association

Tarryn Kempson-Hopkins - School & College's Delivery Executive, Young Enterprise Scotland

Mia Hobson - Young persons advocate, volunteer

Gordon Clark - Head of property services at the Crichton Trust

Stuart Higgins - Forestry Manager at Fountain Forestry

Peter Johnson - Foodbank coordinator for Apex / Trussell Trust


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