Beth Troakes

Beth Troakes

Beth is a freelance curator and gallery director based in Brighton. She has curated exhibitions nationally and internationally and has worked with partners in Italy, South Korea and China. She has worked in development as both a freelancer and in arts organisations for many years and has also worked with many award-winning international theatre companies and performers as a producer and […]

Tom Edwards

Tom Edwards

Tom is a filmmaker and photographer. He is currently working as a Digital Marketing and Campaigns Officer at North West Bridge organisation Curious Minds who help connect young people to arts and culture. He has a degree in Film Production and has completed his Digital Marketing apprenticeship. He is currently finishing up his Gold Arts Award and has been working as […]

Phoebe Hill

Phoebe Hill

Phoebe is our Deputy Chair and HR lead, having joined the board as a founding young trustee. Phoebe has worked across the arts and voluntary sector in London, with experience in community participation and events. Following a career change, she now manages the HR team at older people’s charity Independent Age.

Holly Howe

Holly Howe

Holly is a freelance art journalist, writing for various publications including State/F22 magazine, The Art Newspaper, Highsnobiety, Complex, i-D, and Londnr. She leads guided art walks in London as well as giving talks and chairing panel discussions at places including Soho House, The Hospital Club, and the House of St Barnabas. She also works in corporate communications for an assortment of clients.

Sam Nead

Sam Nead

One of our youth voice trainers, Sam is an aspiring author, theatre and dance lover, Liberal Arts graduate and total bookworm. With three years’ experience volunteering for and running a university-based suicide-prevention helpline, Sam is also a fierce advocate for mental health awareness. When she doesn’t have her head buried in a book, you can usually find her cooking yummy […]

Idriss Assoumanou

Idriss Assoumanou

Idriss joined Upstart as a Voice Contributor eight years ago. He also joined our pool of young advocates for Arts Award and has been highly involved in many areas of our work over the years, including filming or starring in multiple films. He currently works on various commissions and as a co-trainer. He is a freelance film maker, editor and […]

Sienna James

Sienna James

Sienna has been working with Upstart for several years, including on our young advocacy team for Arts Award. She is a trainer on our youth voice training programmes and was previously Assistant Editor at Voice magazine and is passionate about arts inclusion and creative education. She’s a graduate of the MA in Conflict Resolution at King’s College London and works […]

Alice Wyatt

Alice Wyatt

Alice is on of our youth voice trainers having originally joined the Arts Award Youth Network in 2012. She has degrees in Dance and worked for Artswork, the national youth arts development agency and South East Bridge organisation. She is an Arts Award adviser trained to Silver level, a dancer, knitter and thinker! Alice regularly runs training and sessions to […]

Dayna Hewitt

Dayna Hewitt

Dayna is the Voice Coordinator. After spending many years in theatre, Dayna joined Voice to ensure that more young people gain more opportunities to develop their professional skills and experiences. Dayna joined us in 2021 and is responsible for the running of the Voice Reviewers programme and ensuring the smooth running of all Voice projects as well as efficient running […]

Judy McFall

Judy McFall

With over 20 years of developing partnership working programmes and training across the arts, cultural and education sectors, Judy has honed her skills in creative learning, training and youth consultation. She’s the Creative Pathways manager, working with local and regional reviewers, and Lead Trainer within our youth voice training and consultation delivery. Judy is also a senior moderator, trainer and […]