Meet the team

Sarah Christie (she/her)

Programme Manager, Children's Capital of Culture

Children and young people across Rotherham are developing our wonderful programme of events and activities. Sarah's role is all about supporting them to make their ideas happen. This means she has a hand in all aspects of Children’s Capital of Culture: from writing funding bids to running workshops, planning out strategies to taking young people on trips, and much, much more!

What do you love about Rotherham?

How at home I feel here. The borough's diverse communities are so friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth - with a great sense of fun!

Who's your favourite band?

Don't make me pick just one! An eclectic five-way tie between Sufjan Stevens, Abba, Haim, Blondie and Prince?

Leanne Buchan (she/her)

Head of Creative Programming and Engagement, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Leanne is always keeping an eye out for potential opportunities for Rotherham's children and young people. Her job is to ensure that plans remain on track for Children's Capital of Culture. This includes connecting with businesses, funders and partners across Rotherham, the region and the world! She also supports other Council teams to put delivering the Children's Capital of Culture at the heart of their plans, as part of her overall role as Head of Creative Programming and Engagement.

Who is your creative role model?

It's a close call between Maggie Smith, Bob Mortimer and Miriam Margolyes. They all embody a sense of mischief and silliness that reminds me that culture can be playful, joyful and daft. They all also show empathy in their work and their general character, which I like.

What's your favourite food?

Gyoza!

Rachel Stothard

Strategic Partnerships Manager

As Strategic Partnerships Manager, Rachel’s job involves building relationships with partners - new and old - as well as developing engagement opportunities and is the first point of contact for speculative enquiries. She's a huge part of getting sponsorships on board and developing the business engagement programme. On top of all this, Rachel also sits on various boards, helping to push Children's Capital of Culture with various partnerships such as - Moving Rotherham, the Sport England Place Partnership, and the Cultural Partnership board.

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to run, in a group or on my own and even in the rain … especially if there’s cake afterwards!

What's your favourite thing to do?

I am a keen crafter, including sewing costumes for my daughter and bunting - bunting makes you smile!

Sarah Williams

Programme Coordinator

Sarah leads up the overall programme coordinationa and project management, taking care of everything that we do here at Children's Capital of Culture. A huge part of supporting our wonderful traineeships programmes, as well as recruiting volunteers to support Children's Capital of Culture and the wider cultural, sports, and tourism activities in Rotherham.

What do you love about Rotherham?

I’ve lived in Rotherham all my life and am a proud ambassador for our town. I’m excited to see what is yet to come!.

Favourite drink?

I’m at my happiest when I’m drinking tea, my favourite drink of all time. Life is good when you have a cuppa in your hand – if it’s Yorkshire Tea that’s even better! (but not too strong, don’t leave the bag in for long!)

Abi Cobb (she/her)

Engagement Manager, Children’s Capital of Culture

A graduate of 2022’s Young Producer programme, Abi is now our wonderful Engagement Manager. Abi’s varied role includes looking after our social media channels and mailing list, helping co-organise brilliant large-scale events like WOW Rotherham and Rotherham Show, delivering activities for children and young people, and much more!

What do you love about Rotherham?

One thing I love about Rotherham is that there is always something special happening. The town never sleeps!

Who is your creative role model?

My creative role model would have to be my theatre teacher/director who taught me everything I need to know for 11+ years! I wouldn't have the confidence to experience new everyday challenges without him. Most importantly, he taught me how to be me!

Esther Aldwinckle (she/her)

Events & Marketing Assistant, Children’s Capital of Culture and Rotherham Music

Esther began her journey with Children's Capital of Culture when she joined as a Music Maker in 2023, working on the very first Signals festival! Now, she works across both Rotherham Music and Children's Capital of Culture and looks after all things social media and marketing!

Who is your creative role model?

Beyonce is a big inspiration to me in every way. Both her creativity and her work ethic never fail to inspire me and she is my ultimate role model!

What do you love about Rotherham?

The people and the places! Rotherham has so many hidden gems and the people here are always looking for creative outlets and ways to support each other. I love the sense of community and how much the arts thrive here.

Sophie Ellingham (she/her)

Engagement Assistant, Children’s Capital of Culture

After her traineeships at Wentworth Woodhouse and Flux Rotherham in 2023 Sophie interviewed for the Alumni Engagement Assistant role with the Children’s Capital of Culture team and is delighted to have been selected. She discovered an interest in producing and project management during her traineeships but is excited to develop skills in evaluation and data analysis whilst in this alumni role to broaden her skillset. She is passionate about film, travelling and writing and would love the opportunity to combine these skills in the future!

What do you love about Rotherham?

I love the opportunities they offer here to young people, it’s really helped me find my niche and I feel confident going forward in my career with the skills I’ve gained from them!

Who’s your favourite TV show?

I have so many, it’s hard to choose just one! But if I had to, it would be Parks and Recreation. Me and my Dad binge watched it together the first time round and now it’s such a good comfort show!

Darlene Galabe (she/her)

Engagement Assistant, Children’s Capital of Culture

As a recent University Graduate in Drama & film studies Darlene has always loved being part of the creative and cultural arts. Moving forward Darlene is involving herself back into the community and local area as an opportunity to be connected and rooted. As Darlene grew up in Rotherham, she is really looking forward to building more arts experiences for children and young people. She also has a background in delivering local youth events, spoken word performing and social media content creating.

What is your fun fact #1?

I have an ever-growing bandana collection in various colours!

What is your favourite drink?

My favourite drink is Lipton peach iced tea – so refreshing in summer!

Maria Sofragiu (she/her)

Engagement Assistant, Children’s Capital of Culture

In my role I help plan and deliver large-scale arts & cultural events for children and young people in and around Rotherham. With a background in visual arts, I also help run art workshops with different schools, youth and community groups with the hope of inspiring young people to have the confidence to pursue a career in the arts.

Who is your creative role model?

For me it has to be Hayao Miyazaki, the co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He is an amazing director that created so many animated classics like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke that are unmatched in the way they convey emotions and every time he states that he will retire, he just comes back to the studio with a new idea.

What is your favourite food?

A good poke bowl never fails!!

Mallika Ahmed

Young Journalist in Residence

Mallika is our Young Journalist in Residence, sharing the stories of Children's Capital of Culture from a young person's perspective. Mallika first got involved with Children's Capital of Culture through our Young Critics project, which we ran in collaboration with Our Favourite Places. Through this, she was inspired to pursue writing as a possible career! Mallika has just finished Year Eleven at a Rotherham secondary school. You can check out some of her fantastic articles via our Project Space.