From day one, my focus was access and opportunity. I wanted Kensington Arts to be open and welcoming, a place where anyone with curiosity or creative ambition could walk in and feel at home.

That meant building a programme that supported emerging Manx talent, created clear routes into the arts, and made space for people who too often feel overlooked.

Through workshops, mentoring, and one-to-one support, I helped young actors, writers, artists, musicians, and theatre-makers to build confidence, develop their skills, and consider what a future in the creative industries could look like.

I also used podcasts, social media and the local press to speak up for the value of the arts and to share my experience working in a creative career.

One of the proudest moments was seeing young Manx actors I’d mentored be selected to perform at the National Theatre in London, getting first-hand experience on a world-class stage, alongside other young actors from across the UK.

I worked closely with schools and youth groups too, creating projects that brought new people into the mix. I believed Kensington Arts should be more than somewhere to spend time. It should be a place where young people can be brave, try new things, and learn without feeling judged.

In 2022, Kensington Arts was recognised as Diversity Champion of the Year at the Awards for Excellence, something I was proud to lead us to.

A lot of our work focused on improving representation, especially for young LGBTQ+ people, opening up honest conversations about inclusion, and making sure our programme reflected the real mix of young people on the Island. The SoundCheck project is a great example of how successful that can be.

I cared about this because I know what it’s like to need a place where you can be yourself. I wanted Kensington to be that for more young people.