about me

My background

I worked at Manchester Art Gallery from 2006 to 2024 as Health and Wellbeing Manager, leading the development of the Gallery’s creative health work within the Learning and Engagement team. Over time, I grew it from a small initiative into a major, high-impact programme that became central to the Gallery’s mission. Its influence extended across the organisation — shaping learning, curatorial, commercial and digital practice — and firmly embedding creative health into the Gallery’s identity and future direction.

Through collaboration with multiple community partners and agencies, I expanded its reach with dedication and creative vision, working closely with some of the city’s most vulnerable residents and discovering unique, meaningful ways to engage them with art and collections.

This growth and success led to international recognition, establishing Manchester Art Gallery’s health and wellbeing programme as a model of best practice in the arts and cultural sector. I have been invited by various cultural venues in Europe to talk about the relationship between museums and well-being

the Mindful Museum

I created the The Mindful Museum campaign which trained other UK museums and galleries on integrating mindfulness across their programmes. A key part of the Mindful Museum campaign was the creation of Room to Breathe mindfulness exhibition, and the 2.5 year research study with psychologists from Goldsmith’s University of London.

trauma-informed practice

Towards the end of my time at Manchester’s largest public art gallery I led on research on applying trauma-informed principles to gallery practice. Working with trauma professionals and people with lived experience we were able to explore just how cultural spaces could become more trauma-informed. This is now something I love to support other organisations to learn, understand and apply.

consultant

It’s so rewarding to use my years of experience in a niche field to support other organisations to deliver evidence-based and effective creative health work.

I love working with people, creativity and collections to improve mental health and wellbeing – it’s my passion.