Len is currently the Arts Programme Manager (Participation) for NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts. In his role he has worked in partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland and the programme delivers impactful, award winning projects to patients, staff, and visitors. Len has also worked for a local authority and third sector; he holds an MA in Film Production from Edinburgh Napier University and has completed a PhD in theatre and community engagement. He has a vast experience of facilitating and managing arts projects in community and health settings.
Katey is an arts and health researcher and social scientist based in the School of Health in Social Science at the University of Edinburgh, where she is also Director of the Public Health, Arts, Theory and Social Science (PATHS Research Group) and Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Research on the Experience of Dementia (ECRED). Katey is an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London, and formerly Deputy Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arts & Health. Her interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral work explores the intersections between arts, health, and wellbeing. She is a research affiliate for the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, codirects the Arts Play Health Community, and is an Associate Editor for Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy.
Vanessa has held roles with a wide range of arts organisations across Scotland, with a focus on developing relevant and engaging programmes and removing barriers to participation. She is currently the Executive Director at Art in Healthcare and works with the staff team, trustees and partners to ensure that the charity is well run, impactful and sustainable. Her focus is upon strategic progress, partnerships, operational development, advocacy and income generation.
Graeme has worked in a variety of senior finance manager and operational roles in the arts and heritage sector over the past 30+ years since qualifying as a chartered accountant. This has included organisations including Music in Hospitals & Care, Dundee Industrial Heritage Ltd, Venture Trust, Dundee Contemporary Arts and Inspiring Scotland. He is currently looking to apply his experience to good effect in voluntary roles and special projects as he winds down from full-time employment.
Chris is a researcher and lecturer at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University, and a producer for public art projects, particularly in healthcare settings. The focus of Chris’ research is on the role of artists and designers in public life across health and environment. Chris is involved in the ACHWS Research Group.
Barbara is the Artistic Director and Founder of Art in Hospital, which was established in 1991, Art in Hospital enables patients to develop their own creativity through participation in a contemporary visual arts programme in hospitals, care homes and the community, creating strong links between medicine, treatment, care, environment, and artistic practice to improve health and well-being, patient care, and patient outcome. Barbara is an advocate for freelance artistic practice.
Jan-Bert is an experienced project manager and imaginative developer of resources, who has worked in the arts and communities for the last 40 years. He started as a freelance artist and joined ArtLink, where he was the Director for 35 years. Artlink work across education, health and social care. They see the impact of creative activity as a uniting force for positive change in complex social circumstance. where he was the Director for 35 years. In his role he organised and developed community-based art projects to benefit communities and is currently a freelancer working across a range of projects as Cultural Commons.
Lewis is the Director of Science Ceilidh which is an award-winning organisation supporting and advocating for cultural and knowledge democracy. They facilitate equity-centred community programmes across Scotland as well as deliver funding and networks including for community-led research programmes around mental wellbeing, culture and climate change particularly across the Highlands and Islands including through The Ideas Fund, Community Knowledge Matters Network and Culture and Wellbeing Network Scotland.
Sally is Director of Grampian Hospitals Arts Trust. Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT) is an award-winning charity that exists to enhance the wellbeing of all who spend time in NHS Grampian or associated Health and Social Care facilities by providing access to quality arts experiences. Her primary interest is to develop links between health and arts sector lead organisations and lobby for adequate resourcing for arts and wellbeing activity across Scotland and is keen to see the sector more recognised at government level. Sally is also a steering group member of Scottish Social Prescribing Network.
Safia is Director of Evidence and Improvement at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, leading on safe, highquality and fair health and care services. She is responsible for turning evidence into practice, supporting NHS boards and partners to improve care in ways that matter to people and communities. Safia has been Chair of the Research Committee for Scottish Ballet, including evidencing the relationship between dance, creativity, health and wellbeing. She supports Healing Arts Scotland and is keen to see artsbased approaches recognised as an important part of prevention, recovery and community wellbeing.
David has extensive experience in charity and trustee roles centred around work with marginalised groups and communities. He was CEO of Waverley Care, Scotland’s HIV charity for 17 years before being seconded into Scottish Government. He chaired the board of Children’s Parliament from 2018 to 2022 and was on the board of trustees of Corra from 2016 to 2025. He was also on the board of the National AIDS Trust and a founding Trustee of The Audience Business. He is a retired social worker but still chairs adoption panels in Edinburgh and Aberdeen for St Andrews Children’s Society.
Christine is a member of the Edinburgh & Lothians funding team for The National Lottery Community Fund. She has extensive experience in museums, arts and culture and most recently was Head of Cultural Heritage & Wellbeing with OnFife cultural trust where she secured funding for wellbeing and engagement projects. Prior to that, Christine worked on Paisley Museum Re-Imagined capital project. For 17 years she led community outreach and learning programmes at National Museums Scotland. Christine is a Board Member with Museums Galleries Scotland, Museums Association and the Travelling Gallery Advisory Group.
Laura has over 15 years’ experience of working within the third sector, building a wealth of expertise within health and social care policy and research including lead coordinator on the award-winning social care programme, My Home Life Cymru – sharing good practice in care homes and relationship-centred care through creative leadership, researcher and author of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland report “Communication Failure? Inaccessible information for blind and partially sighted people”. Laura also studied art and design and has her own photography business.
Nancy is the Development Coordinator of Arts Culture Health and Wellbeing Scotland (ACHWS), a national network that connects, advocates for, and supports those working at the intersection of arts, culture, health and wellbeing across Scotland. A specialist in marketing, communications and stakeholder management, Nancy brings over 30 years of experience spanning the full breadth of the arts and culture sector – from grassroots community practice to national companies and international festivals, including Scottish Ballet and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. She also sits on the National Centre for Creative Health Advisory Group, the Healing Arts Scotland Leadership Group, and the UK & Ireland Arts and Health Networks Forum.
We also have a number of advisory groups open for member to join:
Policy, Advocacy and Lobbying Group / Research Group / ACHWS Advisory Planning Group
If you are interested in getting involved in any of these groups please get in touch at info@achws.org
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