Meet the Team

Cheryl is passionate about communities and artists taking the lead and making sure they are provided with support to make effective local change happen in their neighbourhoods.

Stephen cares about our everyday cultures and the role that art and artists can play in changing people’s lives, developing communities, and enacting social change.

Rachel has spent over 25 years working in the arts industry across music, theatre and dance.

Polly has over 13 years experience in the arts as an educator, practitioner and producer. She is passionate about achieving social change through creating exciting opportunities for people to engage in participatory arts.

Sarah has over a decade of experience in education and is passionate about improving access to cultural opportunities for children and young people.

Rachel is a freelance project manager, producer, facilitator and folk singer.

Katie is our new project coordinator. She is a qualified youth worker and is excited to join the team and work on new projects.

David has supported Helix Arts communications, marketing and PR since 2017.

Alison has been a modern languages teacher and headteacher over the last 30 years. She is Vice President of the National Foundation for Educational Research and has held a wide range of other non-executive director roles. She has a strong interest and commitment to arts and culture in the region.

Mark is the Head of Sales for a Trade Association within the Financial Services sector and has also co-run a Youth Theatre in Newcastle for the last 15 years.

Ronan Devlin is a North Shield resident originally from Ireland, an artist & designer based in the North East of England. His artistic practice explores the interaction between emotion, sense perception and the material world. Working across print, screen and multi-sensory installation, his works have been widely exhibited.

Lesley Wood is a North Tyneside creative professional with over 25 years of working across the creative, heritage, education, and cultural sectors. Lesley works regionally and nationally with organisations of all shapes and sizes supporting them with the strategic development of their work with children, young people and diverse communities. Originally a theatre practitioner Lesley works across a number of art forms developing her own work and supporting others to develop theirs.

Annie is a retired arts development worker who worked across Yorkshire always seeking to provide creative opportunities for individuals and communities with less access. She is now a resident of Newcastle Upon Tyne bringing insights from her own experience.

Chloe is the Programmes Manager at ARC Stockton and has been working in the arts in the North East since 2013 following a stint at Arts Council England’s head office. As Programmes Manager Chloe oversees the work on stage, screen and in the gallery and the participatory programmes.

Alex is Partner and Head of IP/IT team at Ward Hadaway, providing legal advice and support to a wide range of businesses and individuals, from musicians and designers, through software developers and engineers to pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. Alex enjoys working with people who have great ideas and are developing ground breaking new businesses.

Michelle is a wealth manager at a financial institution.

Olivia is Financial Advisor at Clare Clarkson Wealth Management. She's passionate about her clients, and committed to building longstanding, high trust relationships. Olivia is also Vice Chair of Northern Saints CoE Primary School in Sunderland.

Simon is a Reader in Bioethics and Deputy-Director of PEALS at Newcastle University. He is a philospher who works in bioethics, medical ethics and social philosophy. Since joining PEALS in 2003 his research has expanded to include medical technology, genomics, and ‘Big Data’ for health.

Katie has volunteered and worked in the heritage/museums industry for three years. She currently works as a marketing intern at Newcastle Cathedral and joined the board of trustees to learn and develop her skills, as well as supporting a charity that she connects with and is passionate about as a young person.

Stephanie is a Senior Lecturer in Classics at Newcastle University, where she has led a number of award-winning projects exploring creative pedagogies and collaborative outreach. She is especially enthusiastic about access to our region’s cultural heritage and the many benefits it can bring to both individuals and communities.

Emily is a recent museum studies graduate and has volunteered and worked in arts and heritage organisations for the last four years. She has developed an academic and personal interest in socially engaged practice and wanted to volunteer with Helix Arts to expand her practical skillset and support an organisation facilitating people-led change.

Mesfin has 10 years work experience in different areas and currently volunteers with the archive at Helix Arts.

He was interested in volunteering at Helix Art’s and working on the community-based projects. "I believe art changes a lot of things in people’s lives."

More information coming soon.

More information coming soon.

Matthew is an artist, health researcher and lover of philosophy. He is currently volunteering at Helix Arts in audience research. He is passionate about how art can transform and maintain mental health, build local pride, strengthen community and be accessible for all, no matter a person's background.