
Joan Stead
Joan is a social anthropologist and Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh. Her research reflects her interest in exclusion/inclusion and social justice in education. She has worked on many projects funded by, for example, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Scottish Womens Aid, the Welsh and Scottish Governments, and the Economic & Social Research Council.
Catherine Currums (Chair)
Catherine is a social work assistant working with adolescents on a one to one basis. She has worked for social services for 4 years and is currently studying to be a social worker through the Open University. She is a governor at St Johns primary school, Tunbridge Wells. Before joining social services she worked as a sales manager for Royal Mail.
Trevor Penton
Trevor originally trained at RADA. He spent fourteen (mostly happy years) as an actor working mostly in Theatre, but also appearing in Television and Film. In 2000, he made a conscious choice to change career from Actor to Communication Skills Coach. He wanted to use the skills he had honed as a performer to help people in a different way. He is currently MD of Free D Coaching;a London based consultancy, that is all about unlocking people’s full potential as communicators. He is passionate about helping Nicolette and New Shoes Theatre grow a reputation for producing world class theatre. He is married to Katherine and has 3 children.
Jane Metcalf
Jane worked for a number of years as the editor of a business publication for the Institute of Director, Kent Branch. She has been involved in marketing for nearly 20 years working with companies such as NEC, Samsung and Novell. She has also been involved with Home Start, an organisation which helps young mums with pre-school age children with a multitude of issues. Jane has one adopted child and is a frequent helper at school.
Val Griffiths
Val worked with with Artistic Director, Nicolette , as the Tunbridge Wells based Youth & Community worker when they ran the Girls' Video and Drama workshops. Since retiring as a Youth Worker Val worked for the Kent Youth Service as an area advisor.