ARTS AND MINDS - Key Persons
Anne Taylor is a conductor, singer and accompanist who enjoys working with musicians of all ages. At last count she played 9 instruments of which piano, viola and ukulele are her favourites. Anne completed a DPhil in Utopian Studies after studying French with Music, and since having three children she left that behind to share her love of music. Anne is passionate about exploring all genres in bringing people together to make music and friendships. She trained in Kodaly Approach through Colourstrings, created two online operas during the 2020 pandemic with Mayfield Primary, and has worked with Cambridge Youth Opera. She has run the Arts and Minds' choir since 2013.
Bob is a carer for his wife, Ruth, who has had progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for 24 years. Since 2017 Bob has been the volunteer group coordinator for the Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket MS Society Group. Since 2018 he has worked with the Wellcome MRC Stem Cell Institute on their public engagement program, which led him to become an Ambassador for the Institute in 2020. Bob completed two years as the Chairman of the Patient Forum for the Cambridge & Peterborough Foundation Health Trust and still retains close links the with the NHS. In 2022 he undertook training by NHS England to become a Peer Leader and also joined Healthwatch as a Health Champion
Bob Race worked on the graphic side of advertising until he turned 40 when he took a leap of faith and returned to his passion at art college: ceramics. His work sells through galleries, such as Byard Art in Cambridge. He also began giving workshops to those with mental health issues and realised this is the field of teaching he enjoys the most. For the past 30 years he's taught in diverse settings, from the NHS to care homes. He also once held a televised workshop in Trafalgar Square. He's run the Friday pottery group since its inception in 2001.
Catherine has a variety of arts experience spanning research, evaluation, fundraising and administration. She is currently the Learning and Impact Manager at Voices Foundation and has a strong interest in utilising evidence to increase organisational learning, better practice, and deliver the best possible experience for participants. Her other professional experience includes roles at Cambridge University, London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestras For All and Yorkshire Young Sinfonia. She holds master's degrees in musicology from the University of Oxford, and in psychology and education from the University of Cambridge.
Dr Emily Bradfield joined Arts and Minds as Charity Director in October 2019, having worked in the local charity sector since 2015. Emily holds a PhD in Creative Ageing (University of Derby) and an MSc in Cultural Events Management (De Montfort University). She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practice, advocating arts for social change and weaving creativity throughout research, evaluation and practice. Emily works part-time (3 days) and also works as an Independent Consultant / Researcher supporting people to reimagine evaluation and manage projects creatively.
Eliza has worked in voluntary sector research, evaluation and communications for the last 18 years. She is Director of Research at the Institute for Voluntary Action Research, overseeing quality and delivery of the organisation's research portfolio. Eliza is keen to bring her experience in evaluation and organisational development to Arts and Minds, as well as her passionate for arts and wellbeing. In her spare time she undertakes graphic design projects and uses her reflexology training to treat friends and family.
A lover of the arts and an MA graduate in cultural and critical studies, Emma's career has so far spanned online retail, the arts and higher education. Originally a content producer, she now works in data insight and more recently has used her passion for quality data insights and iterative development to support teams at Tate, Anglia Ruskin University and Lintbells. She has provided specialised support to Arts and Minds in data governance, marketing and communications, and process development.
Emma has worked in the fields of arts and education for 20 years and is passionate about access to creative opportunities for all. She has managed diverse creative learning projects in both formal and community settings across England, with a focus on hands-on experiences, personal image making and analogue processes. Emma joined the team at Arts and Minds in 2020 because of her passion for the benefits that creative practices have for participants. She is currently employed at ARU Students' Union where she champions diversity and representation in Higher Education.
Jess is the founder of a graphic design studio based in Cambridgeshire and also works as a Senior HR consultant internationally. Jess has a background in both people management (MCIPD qualified) and art and design (Masters in Graphic Design), and has worked with sole traders to multi-national organisations on wide ranging topics such as branding and messaging, to large culture and change management programmes. Jess is passionate about wellbeing through creativity (in her spare time she likes to make semi-abstract art).
Kim qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989 and spent more than 30 years working with owner managed businesses, charities and social enterprises before retiring from practice in 2021. Outside of work Kim has achieved an MA in Creative Writing and writes fiction and scripts as a hobby. She has had a collaborative project broadcast on regional TV and is currently working on a novel.
Liz has worked in the Eastern Region for over 30 years as an established curator, arts educator and mentor, whose special interest has been to work with those who may experience barriers to engaging in the arts. She has delivered workshops across a variety of artforms and is passionate about the power of art to transform lives. Liz currently works in a freelance capacity for Babylon ARTS in Ely and has her own art practice featuring quirky characters made from found and altered objects and novel narratives depicting their antics!
Job Titles:
- Programme Manager
- Member of the Team
Lynne is a highly experienced member of the team with a background in art education and strategic arts management at county level. Lynne is also an art practitioner making ceramics in her garden workshop and a keen horsewoman, both of which have given Lynne insight and first hand experience of interventions which improve mental health.
Peggy has recently joined Arts and Minds as a workshop facilitator. Alongside this role she specialises as a Freelance Textile Designer, Nail Artist and a is Mum of 3. Peggy graduated with an MA in Printed Textiles from the Royal College of Art in 2005 and has worked with large corporate design companies as well as on her own range of textiles accessories. Her passion is to combine her creative talent and knowledge alongside health and wellbeing in art making.
Pina is an artist who's practice is mainly sculpture based, however still maintains her strong links with painting, print, textiles, sound, ceramics and socially engaged practice. She has worked with Arts and Minds in Cambridge and Peterborough since 2007. Her concerns lie in culture, identity, belonging, the healing arts and wellbeing.
Ray joined Arts and Minds in October 2020 after working with the mental health lead at the National Lottery Heritage Fund during an internship. Ray has recently graduated from the University of Cambridge and is joining Cambridgeshire County Council as part of the National Graduate Development Programme. Ray has personal experience with long term mental health struggles and has experience with many of Cambridge's mental health organisations. Other than mental health, Ray is passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, homelessness, the arts and nature.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Senior Leader at the Point of Care Foundation a Charity
Sarah is a senior leader at The Point of Care Foundation a charity who's mission is humanising care and the owner of a small consultancy that supports people to bloom and thrive using coaching and mindfulness. Sarah has spent most of her career working in and alongside the NHS; she has a clinical background in Pharmacy and laterally has focused on well being and people development facilitating culture change and the design and delivery of leadership programmes across the NHS. Sarah is passionate about creativity; outside of work she is a glass artist and avid gardener and has first hand experience of art supporting her through trauma when seriously ill.
Simon is a Senior Change and Improvement Consultant with the Open University. He is a qualified Organisational Development consultant and executive coach with over 30 years of experience of working across the public sector, including local government, the NHS and higher education. He is an Associate Consultant with SOLACE and has a PhD in music.