About Crea Pax

Meet the people behind Crea Pax

We bring together a love of animals, practical learning and supporting young people.

Trusted relationships are at the heart of our work. We take time to get to know each learner and what helps them feel comfortable, included and ready to have a go.

A supportive team, with different interests and a shared belief in each young person’s potential.

Martha Bache

Director & Lead Counsellor · Designated Safeguarding Lead

Crea Pax brings together my love of animals, the outdoors and working with young people. I enjoy getting to know each learner: what interests them, what feels difficult and what helps them feel comfortable enough to have a go.

My approach is warm, practical and grounded in trusted relationships. Whether we’re caring for the alpacas or exploring a new activity, I help learners find opportunities to build confidence and recognise their achievements.

I’m Crea Pax’s Director, Lead Counsellor and Designated Safeguarding Lead. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Addictions Counselling, alongside further training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and animal-assisted interventions.

Outside Crea Pax, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing cricket.

Steph Selby

Cooking & Life Skills Lead · Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

I’ve spent many years working in SEN schools, more recently as a teacher. That experience showed me that the education system doesn’t work for everyone. I believe everyone deserves opportunities to grow, succeed and feel valued.

My friendship with Martha — and one of her “crazy ideas” — brought me to Crea Pax. I love the flexibility, the opportunities and the chance to do things differently while making a difference to young people’s lives.

I’m a good listener who likes to see things from different angles. I also love organising, making plans and getting stuck into a project. You’ll often find me cooking, playing sports or board games, crafting enthusiastically or singing loudly — ability doesn’t always come into it!

Outside Crea Pax, I enjoy cricket, reading, the beach and time with family and friends. And Christmas? As far as I’m concerned, it starts in August!

I’ll always give things my best shot, have a go and keep learning. There are learning opportunities all around us, and sometimes the best things happen when we step outside our comfort zones.

Ed Ralph

Outdoor Learning & Wellbeing · Health & Safety Lead

I’m happiest outdoors in all weathers, exploring the land and its wildlife. With a degree in Geography and a love of conservation, poultry and reptiles, I enjoy helping learners discover everything from insects in deadwood to the daily routines of animal care.

After more than 20 years as a driving instructor, I bring patience and practical encouragement to my work. I love helping young people build confidence and achieve things they didn’t think they could. I also lead health and safety at Crea Pax.

Outside Crea Pax, I love cricket and being around people. If there’s a job that needs doing, just ask me!

Joe Stelmaszyk

Outdoor Learning & Wellbeing

I’m a trainee counsellor who makes time to listen. Whether we’re sharing a simple activity or caring for the animals, I want young people to feel they can talk at their own pace. For me, the conversation matters as much as the task.

I’m happy to have my face painted, jump in muddy puddles or be the first to fill my boots with water while walking an alpaca through the ford. Joining in brings humour and helps build trust.

Outside Crea Pax, I love rugby. I also like to check in with my colleagues and ask how everyone is doing. Looking out for each other matters to me.

Grace Bache

Pastoral Support

I first joined Crea Pax as a Year 11 volunteer in 2023. I later completed my Level 2 Community Activator Coach apprenticeship and joined the team full-time. With experience in gymnastics coaching and animal handling, I get involved wherever I’m needed.

I’m energetic, caring and always ready to be a little silly! I particularly enjoy supporting primary-age learners and building connections through humour and play, while recognising when someone needs a quieter moment. Watching young people grow in confidence is my favourite part of the job.

Outside Crea Pax, I love travelling, seeing friends and cuddling up with my three much-loved cats. Expect odd socks, an enthusiastic singalong and, eventually, a nickname!

Reuben Ralph

Animal Care Apprentice

I joined Crea Pax straight from school as an Animal Care & Welfare Apprentice, with ambitions to work with large zoo animals. I particularly enjoy working with the llamas, and my interest in camels helped draw me here. Giraffes, elephants, big cats and aquatic life fascinate me too.

Working under the supervision of experienced staff, I help with daily animal care while learning routines and getting to know each animal’s behaviour. I’m learning to notice when something seems different and to report concerns or ask for guidance.

I work hard, take time to observe and enjoy bringing some fun to the team. Asking questions is an important part of learning to care well for animals.

Outside Crea Pax, my favourite company is my much-loved dog, Bagel the beagle.

Learning and development

Growing together, learning together

Learning doesn’t stop with our young people. We ask them to try unfamiliar activities, ask questions and discover different ways to learn—and we believe in doing the same ourselves.

We enjoy working together, and there’s plenty of humour alongside the learning. That trust helps us share ideas, ask for support and learn from one another’s experience. Sometimes development means formal training; sometimes it means a practical challenge, an honest conversation or having a go at something new.

As Crea Pax grows, we want to keep growing as people and as a team: strengthening our understanding of young people’s needs, developing our skills and improving our care for the animals. By modelling curiosity, kindness and a willingness to keep learning, we show our learners that nobody has to know everything—and everyone has room to grow.

Grace taking part in practical staff training

Recognition & community

Our work, and the support behind it

GHP Mental Health Awards 2025

Innovative Therapeutic Impact Award 2025 – Wiltshire

We were pleased to receive this recognition from Global Health & Pharma.

View the official award listing

Community support from Wessex Internet

Thank you to Wessex Internet for supporting connectivity at Crea Pax and sharing our story through their film.

Watch the Crea Pax film on YouTube

Come and get to know us

Contact Martha to discuss provision or arrange an initial visit.

martha@creapax.com 07730 476738 Visits by appointment only. Please avoid confidential learner details in your initial enquiry.