I’m the founder and Co-director of New Bloom Arts CIC. My journey into art based wellbeing started back in 2017, when I unfortunately experienced a nervous breakdown, whilst recovering I used my art experience to self-soothe it did wonders for my confidence. Fast forward to 2024, I graduated with a Masters in fine art as a multi disciplinary artist. Whilst studying I worked with several arts organisations in Derby as a creative well-being producer. My idea for New Bloom Arts was dreamt up after redundancy and the decline of arts organisations within the city; I knew I needed to do something to help communities losing out on access to arts and wellbeing services. More so than ever I’m on a mission to make my home town of Ripley a happy and creative environment.

I'm a secondary school teacher, coach and writer, and passionate about addressing issues around domestic abuse, addiction, neurodiversity, and education - particularly in relation to women and girls. I'm committed to kindness and working collaboratively to co-create supportive ways forward in the lived-experience of our community. I believe that it's important to use creativity to process our most difficult experiences and also to celebrate the moments of light and love that carry us through each day. I will be working ‘on my doorstep’ in Openwoodgate, Belper, and the surrounding area

I'm a Forest School leader and Forest Bathing Guide and love helping other people slow down and connect mindfully with nature. I really enjoy supporting others to develop their curiosity and sense of creativity through nature based activities. Using natural materials is very fulfilling and time spent outdoors on simple natural crafts is beneficial to our well-being.

Through the Creative Agent programme I hope to bring these experiences to more people, building connections with each each other and with nature in local woodlands at Ambergate and Oakerthorpe.

My passion is exploring how nature and creativity can support wellbeing and I have a background in working with children and their families. I’m currently doing some freelance work that supports wellbeing and builds communities.

I am a proud, long time resident of Alfreton and, as a new Creative Agent hope link up with some of the amazing people here that are already doing amazing things in the community.

I'm the secretary of the community group P.O.S.T (People of Somecotes Together). I love being part of the community and learning new things from people as you talk.

I really want to get all ages of the community to be respective of each other (I was brought up to the words of 'to earn respect you need to give respect') and to learn what the world we live in today feels like from perspectives of different age groups. I like to hear ideas from the community.

I’m so pleased to be joining as a Neighbourhood Creative Agent. I’m a retired primary school teacher, having been the coordinator for design technology. That doesn’t mean I know everything about this subject but I do have a few connections and I’m usually able to find someone in the know. Since being young, I’ve always had an interest in making, mainly wearable clothing. Over the years, I’ve been interested to have a go at a few different crafts but creativity isn’t always about making. I’ve done with teaching and ‘inspiration’ is now my key feature. Bringing communities together to inspire each other’s interests is a vehicle for trying something different, meeting your neighbours and helping to make a friendly, inspirational community.