Maike Thorade - Street Rep, joined 2021
Maike Thorade grew up in Germany so brings a European perspective to her home on the Corbett Estate in Catford, which she shares with her husband and daughter. She trained as a graphic designer, but her approach to her life and work is very much practical as well as visual. In her day-job she designs the user-experience of software. I learn that at home she designs software of quite different kind as well. “I very much enjoy the manual and mindful aspects of sewing. This led to my building up a tiny brand of made-to-order baby & kids clothing called hpstrbb."
Her childhood was spent in one of Hamburg's many leafy suburbs. Her grandparents lived literally next door, and real forest was just a bike-ride away. Perhaps not surprisingly, the things that bring her joy are in general “outdoorsy” things such as gardening, long walks in nature, seaside strolls and winter-sports. “But I like skiing better than snowboarding cos you don’t have to go quite so fast!”
If there's any spare time, Maike will be indoor-gardening - see photo! - or baking. “I really miss the bakeries I grew up with in Germany and their wonderful bread, always 10/20 different kinds. Nowadays I like baking sour dough bread. The process appeals to my inner perfectionist!”
Maike learned about STfL as a sponsor and soon got to know like-minded people within the charity. “Volunteering for STfL as a Street Rep is a great reminder it often just takes a bit of initiative and stepping outside one's comfort zone to make change happen. Playing a miniscule part in making STfL's vision a reality is hugely rewarding. It’s mind-boggling we're just rebuilding (in a very small way) what Nature has eternally done and is continuing to do. Nothing beats Nature's beauty and steadfastness in my eyes.”
Maike seems to embody high levels of self-deprecation and good time-management. I ask her what’s on her list for the future. “My work is very intense at the moment. Most of all I’d like to find a better work/life balance. I’d like to do more volunteering, and more living in the now. I’d like to move into the slow lane and find more time to reflect.”
If you would like to nominate someone to be interviewed for this monthly piece (or would like to be interviewed yourself) please email dom@streettreesforliving.org.
Interview by Dom Eliot.