PEOPLE EXPRESS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Artist
- Arts Engagement Intern
Job Titles:
- Chairman / TRUSTEE SAFEGUARDING LEAD
Chris is a local award winning song writer and composer, and plays in several bands including Riding the Low. Chris works as the Head of Alternative Education within William Allitt Secondary School and teaches music. He has set up ‘Circularity' a music based not for profit organisation that explores universal themes and connectivity through music. Chris brings a wealth of experience in music, people management and working across diverse communities and with young people. For Chris is passionate about raising aspirations and increasing life chances within the work of People Express, he lives in Castle Gresley with his wife and two daughters.
Elodie is our youngest trustee at 17, she has lived experience as a LGBTQIA+ non-traditionally home schooled educated teenager. Elodie is passionate about creating more opportunities for young people, no matter what their background or lived experience. She has been on youth forums for mental health services and is confident expressing her views to 'adults who have influence'. Elodie is currently a Scout leader and is studying for a University of Arts London, Level 3 in Art and Design.
Gray identifies as a proud member of the Neurodiverse community and is a passionate writer, advocate, and spokesperson, using their lived experience of disability, learning difficulty, social exclusion, and mental health issues to support vulnerable adults. They founded the Swadlincote Aspergers Society in 2014, whose inclusive community work was nominated for a National Epic Award in 2018. They contributed to the "I Exist" campaign, which helped shape the Autism Act of 2009 in the Houses of Parliament, and they consulted for Derbyshire County Council, Citizens Advice Mid-Mercia, and the Autism Information & Advice Service. After participating in regular Derbyshire Autism Alliance meetings, Gray was invited to join the Derbyshire Autism Partnership Board, which was set up to implement the UK government's adult autism strategy.
Helen is the Operational Lead for Trident Reach the People, a major midlands based charity that specialises in supporting communities affected by domestic abuse, homelessness and/or their mental health. Helen manages services that support families, young people in Care, older people and BME communities. Helen brings a wealth of experience and expertise in strategic planning, budgeting, human resources, evaluating services, time management, contingency and succession planning alongside engaging vulnerable and at risk groups. Helen loves textiles and singing and is a passionate supporter of increasing access to the arts, she lives in Woodville with her husband and has two children.
Job Titles:
- Finance & Admin Officer
- Finance and Adminstration Officer
Charlotte loves the creative arts and has a BA Hons degree in Fine Art. She joined the team at People Express in 2023, gaining a paid graduate internship.
She has experience as an Assistant Leader for a Guide unit (girls aged 10 - 14) and is a Youth Leader, teaching life skills and building people's confidence. With a strong passion for creativity and a deep appreciation for artistic processes; she wants to share this passion with others.
Charlotte is an emerging artist, and her main interest is capturing nature's beauty, whether through photography or painting watercolour or acrylic landscapes. She seeks to show the serenity of the natural world and the delicate interplay of colour and light, explicitly focusing on the landscapes of England UK.
She enjoys Ballroom and Latin dance as exercise and playing the Piano in her spare time. She lives in Staffordshire.
Mamuna is a qualified ESOL teacher, her experience includes working as an Inclusion Officer, within Adult Education and on major European funded regeneration projects in Birmingham's most economically deprived neighbourhoods. Mamuna has worked with learning disabled adults, women and children's groups, young adults and refugee and asylum seekers. Mamuna's current role is a Senior Community Connector supporting young people with disabilities and autism. Mamuna brings skills in developing Equalities Policy and Action Plans, managing large scale budgets, developing strategic aims and objectives, evaluation, and community engagement. Mamuna believes in the importance of arts and in communities having access to art , to increase well being and bring communities together to share there stories. Mamuna lives in Derby with her two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Development Manager at Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Matt is currently Development Manager at Lichfield Garrick Theatre, and has previously worked for Derby Theatre, Derby Live and Curve Theatre in Leicester. He has been associated with People Express for a few years now as part of the Friends of Hatton Salt Brook group and seen the positive impact the charity has made in the village. Matt volunteers as a Dementia Champion for the Alzheimer's Society and fundraises for various charities through running (slowly) or walking challenges and coffee mornings! He lives in Hatton with his husband and cat.
Neil was born and raised in South Derbyshire, where he still lives with my family and children. He studied Engineering and Mathematics at Derby University and have a rich professional background in Global Finance and IT strategy. He has worked at Microsoft for 18 years, holding various global roles, including mentoring UK graduate hires, and is currently an Engineering Principal Program Manager, leading innovative projects in AI and technology. He is passionate about mathematics teaching in schools and the challenges faced by girls in pursuing STEM subjects. Being on the board at People Express allows him to give back to my community in a creative way, while still making use of his professional skills. In addition to being on the board at People Express, he is also a governor at Mercia Academy and Oakthorpe Primary School. In his spare time, he loves Music, Photography and Cats. His family foster cats for Harleys Hounds and have four of their own, he also co-hosts a weekly Music podcast called The Monster Shop with Chris Baldwin.