Headway Arts

Contact Us

• E:
• B: headwayarts.blogspot.com
• F: Add us on Facebook
• T: Follow us on Twitter
• T: +44(0)1670 351962
• Contact us
• Join our mailing list

• Text size:
• standard
• large
• contrast
• text only

• Frances Castle
  Chief Executive

• I was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire and moved to Newcastle to study for a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sociology and Social Research at Northumbria University. A variety of jobs followed, including a brief spell as Research Assistant for Northumbria Probation Service, before I 'accidentally' became involved in the arts, joining Theatre Station Blyth in 1992 as Co-Ordinator for the award winning Releasing Potential project. A Co-founder of Headway in January 1995, I became Director (and more recently Chief Executive) later that year. My strong belief that everyone is different and everyone is equal is the driving force behind Headway.

• Alison Walton Robson
  Creative Director

• A Headway Co-founder in 1995, presently responsible for the artistic direction of Headway, I understand the power of art to open up new worlds and aspire to make artistic excellence accessible to all people. Born in Blyth, Northumberland, I love my northern heritage. I Studied Fine Art Foundation & Textiles at Cumbria Institute of the Arts and later Creative & Performing Arts BA(Hons) at University of Northumbria. During 27 years solid professional practice I have worked nationally & internationally as a freelance performer, visual artist, educator, designer, projects manager, drama facilitator and theatre director. Having chosen to base my art within a community context I thrive on creating projects with and inspired by eclectic groups.

  Past commissions/collaborations have included: Theatre Station Blyth, Jack Drum Arts, Live Theatre, Welfare State International, Boris Howarth, London Shape, Equal Arts, Laing Gallery, Northgate Arts Project, MidNag, DC Productions, Scope and Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.

• Steve Byron
  Drama Practitioner

• I have now worked as a professional performer and theatre practitioner for twenty years. At home in Hexham at an early age I entertained friends in the playground and my family from underneath grandma’s sideboard! Then at the age of 10, after visiting Wallsend Young People's Theatre I announced that I wanted to be an actor. At 17 I joined Northumberland and North Tyneside Youth Theatres touring company & learned much mentored by Spike Hale. Later I worked for Gibber for 3 years developing skills in workshop facilitation and delivery to harder to reach groups.

  Since joining Headway in 2003 I have been able to develop these skills even further on a wide range of projects and I believe “You can never know it all, you can always learn more and there is always room for improvement.”

• Chris Bowman
  Project Support

• I joined the company as a participant on the Spark Project in 2001 and just never went away! Training for a further 6 months on The Releasing Potential Project, I developed artistic skills in Creative & Performing Arts and had my work accredited through The Open College. After training in Disability Awareness & First Aid I became Project Support worker in 2003 gaining on the job EDI Level 2 Certificate in Business Administration and serving as apprentice with Headway, furthering my creative development through the Arts Council NE Cultural Skills Development Initiative.

  I work flexibly to support members of Seven Stars, random young people’s theatre and other Headway projects - every Headway day is different and an exciting challenge!

• Paul Denton
  Freelance Development Worker

• I began my creative journey back in the dark ages by developing a community film cooperative which led to working for an independent film production company which led to taking a degree in Media Production at the University of Newcastle where I mostly studied script-writing. I was then lured into community arts, raising funding and getting new projects off the ground which led to a chance encounter with Headway Theatre where I have worked on and off in a development role since 1997. I also found time to co-found Makers and Shakers, another community arts organisation and to practice as an artist using willow.

• Bernard Pidcock
  Trustee - Chair

• I was born in and had my early education in Manchester. I then studied for a degree in Theology and later did my Post Graduate Degree in Youth and Community at Birmingham University.
  I became a Sacred Heart Father and Catholic priest for 15 years. During this time I was also a youth worker. A job with Barnados brought me to the North East and I then founded The Base Project in Whitley Bay. I was also Youth Director to Youth Self Build North Tyneside a project for young people to build their own homes.
  I am the father of Laura and the husband of Mary, the step father of Lyndsey and John, the owner of Jock the dog!  I enjoy walking and swimming. I am a genuine, come from Manchester, United freak.
  Currently the manager of the Blyth Citizens Advice Bureau and the Chair of the Point Young People's project in Blyth. Recently I was honored with an MBE. I am a Community Councillor for Seaton Delaval, responsible for planning.
  Throughout my working career I have fought for the poor, the downcast, the disadvantaged, the under privileged and the excluded. I wish I had more time to be further involved with Headway.
  Apart from that I like to drink beer in my back garden, preferably in the sun and discuss politics with anyone who has the strength to listen to me.

• Stuart Morland
  Trustee - Vice Chair

• Born in Benwell. Schooled in Whitley Bay. Early employment in Engineering, Quantity Surveying and for British Rail. Volunteering with International Voluntary Services led me to social work in my twenty's - as temporary social worker for the then Lewisham Welfare Dept and then to study at Chiswick Polytechnic, London. I later worked on a community dev project based on the Honor Oak Estate in London, supporting families. On return to my native north east I began work for Northumberland County Council and for 28 years worked to develop services for disabled children, with interest in opportunities which may not be found in mainstream services. Inspired by a theatre project in Toxteth, I worked within the local Rathbone society to help establish Theatre Station Blyth.

  My feet have become firmly planted in the voluntary sector. I have been involved with Ashington Resource Centre, sustainable development with Earth Balance, maritime heritage through The Coble and Keel Boat Society. I am a trustee of the Roycroft Fund for children leaving care and a member of the North Tyneside Local Strategic Partnership.

  Being a working class lad it had not previously been in my culture to be switched on to the idea of participatory theatre arts - but since discovering the possibilities it can open up, particularly for those denied opportunity, I have become very excited and appreciative of what the arts & in particular what Headway Arts can do.
  It is with the greatest pleasure I became a founding trustee of Headway Arts and am currently Vice Chair.

• Catherine Ross
  Trustee

• I've worked most of my life in arts and culture starting in 1972 at BBC Radio Newcastle where I stayed for nearly 18 years though the later years were as relief.  Also worked for a variety of theatre and film companies including the very wonderful Live Theatre at Newcastle Quayside.   For the past five years I've worked with Gateshead Council's Arts Team including with the amateur sector encouraging recognition of their skills and their increased participation.

   

  I also like boats  -  a lot.

• Heather Mills
  Trustee

• I first became involved with Headway when I was the Equal Opportunities Co-ordinator for Northumberland Training and Enterprise Council, and immediately recognised the value of the work they were undertaking. When I moved to work for Northumberland Learning and Skills Council as the External Funding Manager I continued to support the work of Headway and have retained my links as we became a regional organisation and I was asked to become a Trustee. Personally I have always had an interest in the Arts and have been involved in a number of local productions, if I did’nt need to work I would become a volunteer for Headway because I think not only is their work very worthwhile- but its also good fun!

• Tom Richardson
  Trustee

• Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, studied HNC Media Production, Dip HE Clinical Physiology at Gateshead College and Sunderland University. I have been for many years involved in music - Promoting gigs in Newcastle in collaboration with musician Pauline Murray (Penetration), running labels Bright Orange Biscuit & Popgun Supreme and promoted and ran a 24 track-recording studio. Worked with recording engineer Steve Chahley (Nelly Furtado, Darkchild, Sum 41, Nico Case, Ash, Starsailor) and managed dance music writer/producer David Nicholson (DC Joseph), Mark Neary (The Hours, U2, Kathryn Williams). I am also a former submariner, firefighter & royal navy tug of war team member 1982! Currently working in physiotherapy and brain injury field I became aware of Headway when enabling a client accessing their services. I was so impressed that I knew almost immediately that I wanted to get involved and so became a trustee.

  Headway is run by great people for great people. They help individuals and groups develop by applying creative thinking and practices in a safe, friendly and supportive environments.

• Paul James
  Trustee

• I was born in Bristol and studied in Drama in Liverpool before working with the acclaimed Theatre In Education and Community Company at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield where I worked as an actor for 2 years. Since then I have worked as an actor for various companies including the Liverpool Everyman, Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage, Talawa (Leading UK black Theatre Company), Live Theatre, Newcastle, Mercury Theatre, Colchester, Theatre Foundry, Tyne and Wear Theatre In Education Company, Gazebo Theatre In Education Company and Northumberland Theatre Company.  I have also run a number of courses at Headway Theatre, Blyth and the University of Sunderland. In 1998 I became an Associate Director at Live Theatre, Newcastle, where I am responsible for Education and Participation.

• Mike Dungworth
  Trustee

• Born Sheffield 1943, have lived in Seaton Sluice 45 years. University of Manchester - Padgate College, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.
  Teacher for 30 years before taking early retirement and working in voluntary sector for CSV as manager of volunteering in the North East. Also worked for Newcastle City Council, training and development of elected members. I am a trustee of several organisations and am vice-chair of NSP where I represent the Voluntary and Community sector.
  Enjoy cycling, gardening, reading, politics and helping to bring up my second family - Joseph 12 and Alice 10, as well as having five grandchildren. Yes, Christmas is very expensive!
  I suppose my main specialism is Local Government, but basically a ‘Jack of all trades’ and certainly ‘master of none’ though always willing to learn.

  I have been a trustee of Headway since its inception and had some involvement with its predecessor, Theatre Station from when it was first established in Blyth. Without offending any of the other worthy bodies of which I am a Trustee, Headway is the organisation of which I am most proud: its work, its ethos, its tenacity, place it close to my heart. It has made some outstanding achievements over the years but has always remained focused on those who are all too often excluded from mainstream society and made their voice heard throughout the region.