Click a team member to read their bio
With over 15 years’ experience working in Creative Health, Leon is Strategic Director at both Pioneer Projects, and independent sister organisation Orb Community Arts in Knaresborough. He has previously worked as a professional musician, and as a manager in music retail, and has an Honours Degree in Ethnomusicolgy. He is also on the Board of Trustees at The Place in Settle, and Chain Lane Community Hub Knaresborough, and a Director of Season Well CIC.
Following an eclectic career in Youth Work, Residential Social work, Office Management, Mental Health, Event Management and Venue Dressing all interspersed by travelling the world, Lynda has been the Finance and then Operations Manager at Pioneer Projects for over 20 years. Her work with Pioneer Projects enables Lynda to combine her work experience, creativity and dedication for improving the mental health of communities. Lynda’s passions in life include music, dancing and walking in the hills.
Grace has spent her entire career working within the creative arts and engagement fields, starting off as a community musician working for charities abroad in Uganda and Thailand. Grace returned to the UK working as a secondary school music teacher, and then moved into the third sector and creative arts management. Grace has a Masters in Community Music, PGCE with QTS, and is a qualified Sound and Sound Arts Therapist with the British Academy of Sound Therapy. Her work with Pioneer Projects combines her fizzy enthusiasm and love for the arts and community to enhance and improve the benefit and wellbeing of all.
Nikki is a Community Artist and has been involved with Pioneer Projects since the charity’s inception working on a vast array of community projects including large scale lanterns for Community lantern precessions. She is the Artist lead in groups such as Community Art Shed and is very skilled at using recycled materials for her projects. Nikki studied Surface Pattern Design and loves all things creative particularly gardening and cooking.
Nicky is a self-taught artist with a background in the creative industries. She trained as a journalist and has worked in various roles, including feature writer, editor, travel writer, copywriter, sub-editor and TEFL teacher, and spent five years living and working in Latin America. With a passion for textile art, Nicky believes everyone can be creative, and that creativity builds wellbeing and connection.
Isobel O'Donovan is an artist, writer and storyteller based in Settle. Since studying Sculpture in Glasgow she has worked in a variety of creative engagement roles in Scotland and England. Alongside her creative practice, Isobel is a qualified early years practitioner. Outside of work, Isobel enjoys walking in the Dales, knitting, reading and cooking.
Caroline McCarthy has facilitated a singing group at Pioneer Projects for almost 8 years, since 2021 she has worked as a Keyworker. Her role encompasses the experience she has gained since her degree in Psychology, working with people from all walks of life and sharing her love of singing. In her spare time she loves to row on the River Lune in Lancaster, it keeps her fit and happy.
Leanne brings wide experience in being alongside others to improve wellbeing and confidence within different settings. With both a degree in Social Policy and Sociology and a counselling qualification, she is passionate about the difference creativity in all its forms can make to improve mental health and wellbeing and connect people. Leanne also enjoys being outside particularly near rivers and is currently building up to dipping more than her toes in the cold water!
Having gained a qualification in Social Work, Simon has worked in Child Protection and Adult Services for many years both in Craven and Bradford. More recently he worked for Mind in Bradford with a special interest in people who hear voices and setting up peer support groups on Skipton and North Craven. Prior to joining Pioneer Projects, he worked for Settle Community Business Hub supporting vulnerable people and managing the Wellbeing Cafe. Simon is passionate about working with people to promote good mental health particularly using creativity. Simon enjoys drumming, painting and travelling abroad.
Lynda’s career started in Publishing and took a detour into the NHS before an exhilarating 29 years (and counting) as a Freelance Visual Merchandiser & Retail Designer. Previous part-time roles within NYCC Library Service and Pennine Outdoor have all added valuable skills and experience for her to bring to her varied role at Pioneer Projects.
Denise worked in administrative roles In London, Manchester and Yorkshire for Blue Circle Cement, Marathon Oil and exhibition and conference companies. Denise has worked for Pioneer Projects for over a decade in many roles. Particularly she facilitated the community lunches making healthy/interesting soups with participants and currently works with Creative Dementia group and Singing groups. Denise also co-ordinates the local community magazine. Her favourite hobby must be crafting in a very social environment.
Our Sessional Artists
Click an artist to read their bio
With a degree in Textile Design and Youth and Community Development Anna has worked in Lancaster and the surrounding areas as an Educational Creative Practitioner for the past thirty years. Anna’s community work has included children and adults with special educational needs and people living with dementia in collaboration with both statutory and voluntary organisations. Her experience as a passionate, creative practitioner has allowed her to engage young people and adults to explore and express their creativity in ways which often surprises us all!
Tony is a multi-media artist who has worked for Pioneer Projects for 15 years. He was instrumental in co-founding various projects such as a Dementia group, Bentham Mental Health Group and a Men’s Shed. His sculptural armchair made for the mental health project ‘Can you imagine how I feel?’ is still in circulation and publicly exhibited, after many years. He is committed to inclusive group work, led by outstanding professionals, in a welcoming and safe environment that give agency to all the brilliant artists he works with.
A dedicated mum of two and primary carer for her daughter with autism and learning difficulties. Rebecca trained as a beauty and holistic therapist, Aesthetician and wellbeing advisor with Weleda. She has delivered meditation and mindfulness classes, was rural events coordinator for a children’s charity, and has run a local support group for families with additional needs. She combines her life experience, knowledge and passion for holistic health and wellbeing with a desire to help others. She enjoys crafting, baking, spending time with her family and walking in the Dales.
Sally-Anne is an Early Years Music specialist with an MA in Early Years Music education. She is a Director of Note Weavers CIC working with Early Years music practitioners in the North West. She is also a co-Director of the Trinity CME:EC course, which supports students to work musically with children from age 0-5. She recently worked as a music consultant on the BBC Philharmonic’s ‘Musical Storyland’ series for CBeebies and BBCTeach. She is passionate about sharing music with young children and their families.
Sarah is a freelance Artist with extensive art and design teaching experience since 2007. She enjoys working with a diverse range of participants at both Pioneer and young people’s charity SELFA, is a part-time as a teacher at a local sixth-form college, and undertaking research at Leeds University into arts, youth, and mental health. She is committed to using creativity to build connections, develop skills, and improve wellbeing. in 2023 she was selected as a finalist in the Lancashire artist of the year competition.
