Our Associates
Our associates provide expert knowledge and skills that enhance the work that we do.
Richard Phoenix, Associate Artist
Richard has been working with Heart n Soul since 2011. His current role focuses on our creative work with Young People and working with the Feel Good Designers. He was an artist on the Conditions Studio Programme in Croydon, the founder and director of not-for-profit organisation Constant Flux, has written the DIY as Privilege manifesto and plays in several punk bands. He has also written a book about our taking part project called Do Your Own Thing
Sarah Ewans, Strategic Associate
Sarah worked in international cultural relations and development assistance for 25 years, with particular experience in strategy development, performance and managing complexity. From 2013 to 2017, she was General Manager for Heart n Soul, was Associate Director for Heart n Soul at The Hub between 2018 to 2020 and Development Associate for Believe In Us 2020 - 2023.
Rachel Parslew, Development Associate
Rachel has worked as Development Associate for Heart n Soul since 2011, co-delivering fundraising work with Hazel Northwood for the first six years. She also works as an independent consultant and producer, with extensive experience of arts management. She has a particular interest in China, working on cultural exchange projects. More recently, Rachel’s work has expanded into other sectors including youth conflict and mental health.
Fiona Bond, Finance Associate
Fiona joined Heart n Soul in June 2024 and is responsible for finance operations, reviewing budgets and supporting the grant reporting process and programme management. Fiona also works with other local and nationwide charities that support community arts, services and skills for young people, and animal welfare.
Ned Smith, Art Associate
Ned is a musician and has been involved in Heart n Soul since the late 80’s. He has been involved in all of Heart n Soul’s most significant projects and toured with Heart n Soul across Europe. He currently leads sessions at Allsorts and Do Your Own Thing and is involved in Heart n Soul Radio.
Justin Spooner, Digital Associate
Justin has walked the line between culture and technology for as long as he can remember. Since co-founding Unthinkable Consulting he has delivered a range of digital projects and strategies for many of the country’s leading cultural and learning organisations. As a Digital Associate for Heart n Soul, he led our SoundLab project developed the digital experience of Heart n Soul at the Hub.
Hannah Mason, Digital Associate
Hannah is a designer and creates videos and digital art for performance, installations, online and print. She has been working with Heart n Soul for over 10 years supporting their digital visuals art through collaborations with their artists and participants. She is also director of Goood studio, a design studio that develops websites for charities and artists.
Charles Stuart, Art Associate
Charles is a prolific singer-songwriter and plays a number of instruments. He is also one of the members of The Fish Police. As well as making his own album, The Man Who Likes Watching, he has contributed music to the soundtrack of Waheed Khan’s short film Orange People. Charles also works with legendary artist Grace Jones.
Rosie Ridgway, Associate Artist
Rosie Ridgway is a multidisciplinary artist and musician focussing on what is collaborative or participatory, and how to work in a radically inclusive way, with a focus on experimentation, celebrating differences and increasing accessibility. Rosie views collaboration as a form of resistance; the work of building and sustaining a collective project is just as important as the outcome of an individual artist. To Rosie, collaboration is the ultimate medium for artistic investigation, generating a counter-narrative which reacts to the imposed pressure of individuality of being an artist. Through this responsive and DIY approach Rosie's work spans costume, sound, music, installation, print, sculpture, film and performance, and has worked with Wysing Arts Centre, Whitechapel Gallery, Tate, Three Rivers, The Southbank Centre, Baltic Arts Centre and many others including many years working with Heart n Soul.
Katie Gaudion, Design Associate
Katie is a designer and researcher with over 20 years of experience collaborating with neurodivergent individuals to create more inclusive products, services, and environments. At the heart of her practice is a commitment to developing creative and meaningful ways for people to participate in every stage of the design process. She is also currently a Senior Research Associate at the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at the Royal College of Art, where she has played a key role in expanding the Centre’s focus on inclusive design methods that actively involve and address the needs of neurodivergent communities.
Robyn Rocket, Associate Artist
Robyn Rocket is a boundary-blasting space trumpeter, known for her cosmic improvisations, inclusive ethos, and bold experimental sound. Fusing free jazz, live visuals, and joyful collaboration, Robyn curates Robyn’s Rocket - an immersive night at Café OTO that brings together artists with and without learning disabilities for a journey like no other.
Robyn is an Associate Artist for Heart n Soul and an acclaimed author of three books, she was also part of the core team at Heart n Soul at The Hub.
