WHO
WE ARE
THE COMMUNITY TABLE COLLECTIVE.
Bobby Lloyd
Dr Miriam Usiskin
Jayne McConkey
Katie Miller
Thomas Etheridge
Art Therapist
Our CEO since 2016, Bobby brings particular expertise spanning three decades working within contexts of political conflict and displacement. She is also cross-Channel co-lead, visual artist, supervisor, writer, lecturer and trainer across our international work.
Art Therapist
Cross-Channel co-lead and trainer across our international work, Miriam is co-course lead on the MA Art Therapy, University of Hertfordshire, where she completed her Doctorate on The Community Table model of practice in 2025.
Art Therapist
Leading our new project in Sheffield, Jayne has been involved with Art Refuge since supporting training in Nepal 2013. She is also an artist, supervisor, creative facilitator and trainer, and works as an art therapist with children and young people.
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Art Therapist
A core freelance team member across our programmes in London and the South East, Katie is also a visual artist, and works with individuals who are street homeless and insecurely housed in London.
Art Therapist
A core freelance team member across our programmes in London and the South East, Thomas is also a visual artist, and works with children in schools and a youth therapy service in London.
Sandra Elsabbagh
Art Therapist
Originally from Egypt, Sandra delivers psychosocial training and supports Sudanese staff through Art Refuge’s online Sudan Project.
Majid Adin
Visual Artist
A visual artist, illustrator and animator, from Iran, Majid found inspiration again with Art Refuge in the Calais refugee camp in 2016 and has since been an artist within the team.
Aida Silvestri
Visual Artist
An interdisciplinary artist and educator of Eritrean descent, Aida has worked over several years as an artist, curator and freelance team member in France and the UK.
Naomi Press
Kate France
Jess Linton
Tony Gammidge
Sarah Robinson
Art Therapist
Also a filmmaker / animator, Tony has been a team member across projects for many years, bringing film and animation into the work.
Art Therapist
Also a socially engaged artist and maker, Jess volunteered in Nepal 2015/17, and has since been a freelance team member in France and the UK.
Art Therapist
Sarah has led our Bristol-based work from 2013-26, having volunteered for Art Refuge in Nepal and India 2011-12. Sarah is also a lecturer, supervisor and art therapist in schools.
Art Therapist
Naomi volunteered in Nepal 2015/16, & has since been a core freelance team member in France. Also a visual artist, supervisor & lecturer, Naomi co-leads the Paris-based association Art Refuge Canopy.
Art Therapist
In theatre and multidisciplinary arts in the UK and France for 3 decades, Kate worked as a freelance art therapist for Art Refuge in Paris and now co-leads the Paris-based association Art Refuge Canopy.
Sally Frith
Bookkeeper
Sally is an Accountant and West End performer, combining both skill sets by working with Art Refuge.
Josh Thaker
Admin & Technical Support
Josh works in Arts Marketing, and supports design and communications for Art Refuge.
Claire Fowler
Operations Support
Claire supports Art Refuge with fundraising, cashflow and day-to-day financials.
TRUSTEES.
Dr Chris Wood
Chair of Trustees
Chris is 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.
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.
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.
Neha Singhania
Trustee
Neha is an experienced company secretary and governance professional with a background in the financial services sector. She advises the Board of Trustees on corporate governance, statutory compliance, and risk management.
Dijana Rakovic
Trustee
Dijana is a Senior Producer at Counterpoints Arts, a national organisation working in the field of arts, migration and cultural change. Dijana's focus is socially engaged arts practice and her role spans production, curation and participation, with special interest in gender and climate justice.
FORMER FREELANCE TEAM MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS & TRUSTEES.
Since 2006, Art Refuge has evolved in a relevant, responsive way to the changing political climate and multiplicity of challenges and opportunities, thanks to the invaluable and long lasting contributions of its volunteers, freelance team members and Trustees. Many from recent years are listed below. If you have volunteered for Art Refuge in the past and would like your name included on this page, please contact us, as we would be delighted to add you.
Former Trustees: Polly Bagnall 2018-26, Kathryn Cronin, 2017-25; Dr Ravi Kohli, 2017-25, (Chair: 2020-24); Sue Greatorex, 2021-24; Claire Zhang, 2020-25; Shafiqullah Nouri, 2024-25; Daniel Levinge 2012-20 (Chair 2016-20); Bobby Lloyd, 2008-16 (Chair 2013-16).
We would also like to pay tribute to Frances Fox- founder of Art Refuge UK, once Chair, Tibetan cultural adviser, 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 motion.
Volunteers and freelance team: Raman Feiz, Photographer and Filmmaker | Amy Wilson, Photographer and Art Therapist working with Art Refuge in Bristol 2019-26 | Josephine Carter, Poet, facilitator and performer | Gabriela Bran, animator Bristol | Anna Kälin, photographer and art therapist Bristol | | Farhad Berahman, photographer and Afghan Box Camera specialist, Calais and UK | | Miriam Nabarro, artist and cyanotype specialist Calais | Fawzia Afifi, art therapist Calais | Francesca Orlandi, art therapist Bristol | Nina Tara, artist and art therapist Calais | 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 art therapist Calais & UK.