WHO
WE ARE
THE COMMUNITY TABLE COLLECTIVE.
Bobby Lloyd
CEO, visual artist and art therapist.
Bobby brings particular expertise spanning three decades working within contexts of political conflict and displacement. Bobby is also a supervisor, writer, trainer and lecturer.
Naomi Press
Visual artist and art therapist, core team member, France. Naomi is also a supervisor and lecturer, and has worked for the charity in Nepal.
Aida Silvestri
Aida is a UK based artist and creates work that challenges the status quo of stigma, prejudice, and social injustice/inequality by highlighting issues of migration race, class, identity, and health.
Kate France
Kate France has worked in theatre and multidisciplinary arts in Britain and France for the last thirty years. Her experience in socially engaged community practise led her to train as an art therapist. She is a team member in northern France.
Raman Feiz
Thomas is an artist, HCPC registered art therapist and Art Refuge team member working across London and Essex. Thomas also works with children in schools and groups of young adults who have recently migrated to the UK.
Miriam Usiskin
Art therapist, core team member, northern France. Miriam is also
a Senior Lecturer, MA Art
Psychotherapy, Hertfordshire University, supervisor and Doctoral student.
Tony Gammidge
Art therapist and film maker / animator, Tony is a team member, France.
Josephine Carter
A poet, facilitator and performer whose traditional and experimental writing explores selfhood, identity, struggle and survival. She works with Art Refuge in Folkestone, UK.
Jess Linton
Jess is a socially engaged artist, maker and art therapist She has been a team member in Nepal and France and is currently working with Art Refuge
in the South East, UK.
Raman Feiz
Raman is a photographer and filmmaker from Kurdistan Iran, with a background in human rights activism. He has an MA in Arts and Place, and is currently developing various projects that integrate art and activism as one.
Sarah Robinson
Art therapist and Bristol Lead. Sarah is an art therapist and core team member in Bristol, having volunteered in Nepal and India in 2011-12. Sarah is also a lecturer, supervisor and therapist in schools.
Majid Adin
Visual artist & Illustrator, based in London; writing and illustrating a graphic novel. Majid found inspiration again with Art Refuge in the Calais refugee camp, 2016 and is now a visiting artist on the team.
Katie Miller
Artist, art therapist and team member in London and Essex. Katie also works as an art therapist with individuals who are street homeless and insecurely housed in London.
Josh Thaker
Josh is London-based and has worked in Communications since 2019. With an MA in Communication Design from Falmouth University, Josh works in Marketing and enjoys visual design and live events. He assists Art Refuge as our Admin & Technical Support across the charity.
Amy Wilson
Amy is a Photographer and Art Therapist based in Bristol.
TRUSTEES.
Dr Ravi Kohli
Trustee
Ravi is a Professor of Child Welfare at University of Bedfordshire and is interested in what becomes of young people who seek asylum in richer countries and how they adapt throughout their migration and resettlement. Ravi was Chair of Trustees from 2017 until July 2024.
Polly Bagnall
Trustee
Polly is a practicing artist, art therapist and counsellor with extensive experience in self-advocacy and development work for the NHS.
Dr Chris Wood
Chair of Trustees
Chris was formerly the programme leader but now continues part-time as a trainer with the Art Therapy Northern Programme in Sheffield, an art therapist in the NHS, and supports arts therapists who research their work at the University of Sheffield. She values the work of Art Refuge and the understanding it provides for working alongside people in challenging circumstances while acknowledging their resources and humanity. Chris joined the trustee group in 2016 and became Chair in July 2024.
Dr Kathryn Cronin
Trustee
Kathryn is an immigration, asylum, nationality, children's and family lawyer at Garden Court Chambers. She brings particular expertise in working with
unaccompanied minors.
Anna Castleton Simmons
Trustee
Anna is the director of an independent PR consultancy, specialising in arts, design and culture communications and guided by an ethical manifesto.
Tim Richards
Treasurer
Tim is an experienced management accountant and has worked for a number of large financial services companies. Tim supports the Board on all financial matters.
Shafiqullah Noori
Trustee
Shafiq lives in Bristol where he works for various charities. Originally from Afghanistan, he has lived experience as an asylum seeker in the UK.
PAST STAFF & VOLUNTEERS .
We would also like to pay tribute to Frances Fox- founder of Art Refuge UK, once chair, Tibetan cultural advisee, creative therapist and Ama (Tibetan for 'mother'). Frances worked intensively with Karen Littleton in her roles as both Trustee and Secretary to set Art Refuge UK in to motion.
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The Art Refuge community goes right back to 2006 and has made an invaluable and long lasting contribution through the skills and dedication of both its volunteers and a small number of paid local staff. Art Refuge has evolved in a relevant and responsive way through the generosity of spirit of its team; it's time, energy, skills, fundraising events and dedication of all of those who have contributed and we attempt to name just a few from recent years below. If you have volunteered for Art Refuge in the past and would like your name added to this page, please contact us, as we would be delighted to add you.
Gabriela Bran, animator Bristol | Anna Kälin, photographer and art therapist Bristol | | Farhad Berahman, photographer and Afghan Box Camera specialist, Calais and UK | Daniel Levinge, Art Refuge Trustee 2012-20 | Jayne McConkey, art therapist Nepal and Belfast | Miriam Nabarro, artist and cyanotype specialist Calais | Fawzia Afifi, art therapist in Calais | Francesca Orlandi, art therapist Bristol | Nina Tara, artist and art therapist | Sophie Martin, artist | Louise Smurthwaite, artist | Sian Samuel, artist | Clare Twomey, artist | Dr. Emily Bradfield, Fundraising and Events Coordinator and website management | Youdon, teacher Nepal | Tsering, teacher India | Lhakpa, teacher India | Tenzin, teacher Nepal | Seth Wolpin, fundraiser | Dawn Boulton, art therapist Nepal and India | Sophia Cowx, fundraiser | Luke Carter, artist Bristol | Anna Rootes, art therapist Nepal | Jade Eastley, art therapist Nepal | Sara Simon, artist | Diana Collins, art therapist Nepal | Emily Hollingsbee, Visual artist, poet, author and art therapist | Sue Greatorex: Trustee March 2021 - Oct 2024 - bringing vital experience as foster carer of young people displaced due to war, conflict and persecution, and in supporting individuals and communities in SW England over many years | Claire Zhang: Trustee June 2020 - Jan 2025 - making an invaluable contribution as Secretary and to our Policies and Risk Management, with a background in public health policy & guidance, and research in ethnicity & migration health |