Meet the team

Leanne Buchan

Head of Creative Programming

Leanne’s role involves lots of strategic planning and collaboration. And it’s all to make sure Children's Capital of Culture is a success! She connects with businesses, funders and local and global partners. She also collaborates with other teams across Rotherham Council. Leanne is always looking out for new opportunities to enhance the programme and support Rotherham's children and young people.

Sarah Christie

Programme Manager

Sarah helps local children and young people to make their amazing ideas become realities! As Programme Manager, her role is very varied. It includes writing bids, developing partnerships and planning events and projects. And much more! Sarah is deeply involved in all aspects of Children’s Capital of Culture. She is passionate about empowering young people and creating opportunities for them to shine.

Rachel Stothard

Strategic Partnerships Manager

Rachel builds partnerships – locally, regionally and nationally! She also has a key role in developing our business engagement programme and sponsorship opportunities. This work is vital in securing support and resources for Children’s Capital of Culture. Rachel also leads on lots of projects related to sport and physical activity. She serves on various boards, like Moving Rotherham and the Sport England Place Partnership.

Sarah Williams

Programme Coordinator

Children’s Capital of Culture is a big and ambition project. And Sarah helps keep it all running smoothly! She is dedicated to making sure every initiative is well-organised and impactful. She is also our volunteer coordinator. Our volunteers are amazing local people of all ages. Together, they help make our events a success! Sarah is a proud ambassador for Rotherham, having lived here all her life.

Becky Parry

Creative Learning Manager

Becky leads our creative learning programme. She develops opportunities for local nurseries, schools and colleges. She believes in the power of creativity to enhance learning and inspire young minds. She is also passionate about integrating creativity into education. Becky is always keen to hear from teachers and practitioners who want to get involved!

 

Dawn Richmond-Gordon

Creative Skills Manager

Dawn supports children and young people in Rotherham to develop their creative skills and grow their confidence and experience in the cultural sector. She does this by working in partnership with local cultural organisations to deliver various programmes such as traineeships, internships, young artist residencies and participation projects. Dawn is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of cultural professionals and fostering creative growth in Rotherham.

Abi Cobb

Engagement Manager

Abi delivers creative activities for children and young people across the borough. She works with youth groups, sports clubs, dance and drama troupes, Scouts and Guides – and many more! Abi is passionate about developing creative opportunities across Rotherham’s communities. She works with young people and local organisers to plan and put on festivals and events. Abi is a graduate of our traineeship programme and has lived in the borough her whole life. She loves the vibrant atmosphere of Rotherham, where there is always something special happening.

Jenica Davis

Marketing and Communications Trainee

Jenica is involved in promoting all the exciting events and opportunities taking place this festival year! She creates and edits content for Children’s Capital of Culture’s media channels, including our social media platforms, mailing list, and this website! Jenica is dedicated to showcasing the diverse talent of the borough’s younger generation. Having spent most of her life in Rotherham, Jenica is excited to see the community’s creative scene continue to flourish!

Maria Sofragiu

Engagement Assistant

Maria is passionate about fostering creativity and confidence in young people. With a background in visual arts, Maria runs workshops that support young people to explore their creative potential. Maria helps organise community events, as well as exhibitions and festivals. She also supports young people to achieve their Arts Award.

Olivia Downton

Engagement Assistant

Olivia started out as a trainee at Rotherham Archives and Local Studies Service. She now continues her work with the Archive to actively collect material from Children’s Capital of Culture. Olivia is excited to see the opportunities for young people continue to grow in Rotherham, where she grew up. She is an advocate of archives and preservation and is determined to capture the legacy and impact of Children’s Capital of Culture.

Avumile Sibanda

Engagement Assistant

Avumile assists with organising community events, festivals, and projects for children and young people in Rotherham. She is passionate about creating positive experiences and opportunities for them, with a particular focus on helping them explore their passions in the arts. Through facilitating workshops and supporting the delivery of the Arts Award, Avumile aims to empower young people to discover their creative passions.

Sophie Ditcher

Engagement Assistant

Sophie joins the team from a Children’s Capital of Culture traineeship with Rotherham United Community Trust. Having grown up in Rotherham, she is passionate about meeting the borough’s young people and helping provide activities for them to access new and exciting opportunities. She is hopeful these events will help them grow as people as well as explore and expand their creativity.

Lottie Howe

Assistant Creative Producer

Lottie’s role includes helping with the creative programming, scheduling and commissioning of projects. She provides general support to the team, helping to maintain the organisation of each project. Lottie’s main focus is currently UPLIFT Skate and Art Festival. She is very sporty, outgoing and enjoys working as part of a team and alongside creative, like-minded people.

Amber-Elissa Goulty

Assistant Creative Producer

Amber’s role offers an exciting opportunity to work within both the Children’s Capital of Culture and Clifton Park Museum teams to help create, develop, and deliver innovative and exciting projects for children, young people and their families across Rotherham. With a focus on the intersection of arts, culture, and education, Amber hopes to create opportunities for people in Rotherham to explore their heritage and history, as well as find new ways to be creative!

Grace Bower

Assistant Creative Producer

Grace has played exciting roles with the Children’s Capital of Culture as an Artist in Residence, Heritage Producer, Trainee and Youth Programming Panel member. On placement at Grimm & Co, she was Assistant Producer of the Festival of Stories and continues to deliver creative, story-based workshops that build confidence and spark imagination in young people. Grace also presents her own radio show, The Next Stage, on Rotherham Radio and loves hosting events across the region!.