GLOBAL CENTRE - Key Persons

I am a culturally identified, spiritual Reform Jew, with a fascination for and love of my religion's stories, ritual, wisdom, history and culture(s) particularly music. I am second-generation English with grandparents who were refugees from Russia and Poland. I have a degree in music and have performed Jewish song in Yiddish, Hebrew and Ladino for some years. I am passionate about cross-cultural work in particular between the Jewish and Muslim communities and have set up The Devon Muslim and Jewish Friendship Group. I also work for CAP UK, (the Child Assault Prevention project UK) presenting empowering, interactive workshops with primary age children aimed at reducing their vulnerability to child abuse.

Namaste! My name is Avtar - I was born in India and raised in London. My love of Indian music and dance began as I grew up listening to Bhangra music legends and watching iconic Bollywood films in the Hindi language (from colourful happy sing-a-longs to tragic melodramas). Moving to the south west of England I began running Indian dance and education sessions to keep me in touch with my roots and India's rich cultural heritage. I have had a varied career, training firstly as an accountant and latterly working in the NHS, social care and as a teaching assistant. I have a Montessori teaching qualification. As a cultural champion I can offer sessions about different aspects of Indian life - music, dance, festivals, food, language, religion and costume. These can be tailored to meet the needs of individual schools and promote understanding of diversity and cohesion.

I am Crystal Carter and I am pleased to share my personal connections to the rich cultural history of America, Black American History, Americans in the UK during WWII and the Tran-Atlantic Slave Trade. A combination of first hand experience and a keen interest in local history have allowed me to speak to groups at Montgomery Primary School, Okehampton College, Age UK, University of Exeter, and the University of London events.

I am from Cordoba, Andalusia (Spain). I have a Degree in Drama and Social Work and I had the opportunity to worked as a Social Worker with children and teens in Spain before I moved to the UK in 2012. I also have some experience of working as a Drama Teacher and Drama Director. Some of my drama training comes from the ‘Theatre of the Oppressed' and physical theatre. These two branches have allowed me to get very important educational and personal tools to work with and offer to others. Becoming a Cultural Champion has show me how important it is to be connected with your own culture but also to feel proud, to show and share with the rest of our local community with the purpose of find similarities or just learn about different cultures. Some of my work as Cultural Champion can offer you traditional dancing called ‘Sevillanas,' story telling, songs and music, Spanish cooking, language learning and celebrating festivals such as ‘Spanish Easter Festival' with it's region specific rituals.

I had been a private tutor, teacher and Student Councilor in the HK Govt before I came to UK and started my family here over 25 years ago. As a Cultural Champion, I would like to promote diversity and inclusion in the local schools by introducing personally to the students, Chinese Culture. I can offer sessions in Chinese Language, Chinese Cuisine, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Festivals... I am really looking forward to help shaping the younger generations minds to a wider World of different cultures.

Hi! I am Nadia Lewis-Gorton. I am Jamaican born and have lived in several countries across the Caribbean experiencing diverse cultures for years before moving to the UK 4 years ago. I hold a master's from The University of Exeter in Special Education. Before transitioning to Education, I worked in the Telecommunications Industry, where a significant portion of my job was training. I am currently a home-school practitioner and provide consultation in this area. I also offer consultation in the area of diversity in teaching practices. As a cultural champion, I have visited primary and secondary school across Devon to share information on Windrush as well as Jamaica and the Caribbean in general. In doing this work I have realised the importance of promoting my own culture as well as learning about other cultures and the British Culture in particular. I believe like the Dalai Lama " If we wish to ensure everyone's peace and happiness we need to cultivate a healthy respects for the diversity of our peoples and cultures, founded on an understanding of the fundamental sameness of all human beings."

Neomi Alam, a faith and diversity speaker, works mainly in schools across Devon with over 20 years' experience. Working closely with Exeter Mosque, her work helps to break down the barriers of hatred and ignorance and promotes a greater understanding of diversity in an increasingly hostile environment in matters of race, equality and inclusivity. Her work includes presentations and talks about faith, culture, heritage and diversity across the UK. She offers interactive activities and a Q&A session with students and teachers to give them a meaningful and vibrant understanding of Islam. Born in London and educated in Scotland, her own experiences of being raised as a British Bangladeshi Muslim gives a rich and varied insight into the complexities of identity and diversity. Amongst other work led by people from diverse backgrounds, she strives to raise awareness of the atrocities and global effects of colonialism in Devon schools and beyond.

Ricky is Black British, with Guyanese heritage. He has lived in Devon almost all his life, and is used to being in a minority. He has worked with the Police force and Exeter Community Initiatives, and now does training for the Prison Service.

I am a second generation British Indian offering teaching in subjects related to India, Hinduism, Citizenship, Racism and Diversity. I am also a qualified Shiatsu practitioner and trained psychotherapist and can bring in subjects related to these in schools, such as group-building skills, massage, health & well-being, managing emotions, Zen Buddhism and meditation.

I am a qualified and experienced Italian teacher and private tutor, and very much enjoy sharing my knowledge with people interested in my home country. My MA in Applied Translations, gained at Exeter University in 2008, has allowed me to develop my interest in linguistics and in cultural mediation. In order to promote my own culture of origin, I have been trained by Devon Development Education as a Cultural Champion. I therefore share my experience as a foreigner in Devon in schools and other institutions and groups, telling my stories and teaching about my cultural background and historical connections between Italy and England, with particular focus on language, food, and history, especially Roman. I am passionate about cooking, especially bread and pizza making. My best presentations as a Cultural Champion in schools are those that include food making with the children. I have also prepared some sessions on the influence of Latin in the English language. Through discovering the routes from Rome to England, dressing up as Romans and learning the origins of some English words, the children learn how their cultural origins are varied and mixed from a very long time!