Craig Tyrie, Digital Inclusion Lead
Craig writes the majority of content for the Digital Sentinel, the local news website for Wester Hailes, keeping up to date with community news and finding out what’s on in the local area. He runs weekly adult digital support drop-ins, here at WHALE or at Clovenstone Community Centre, as well as creative digital clubs with young people.
Fabien Merville, Front of House Administrator and Volunteer Coordinator
Fabien is one of the first points of contact for visitors, participants and tenants, on the phone or in person. You can contact him if you need to book a room or have an enquiry about WHALE Arts activities, or to find out about our volunteering opportunities. He works part-time and splits his shifts between reception duties and his volunteer coordination role (usually on Thursdays).
Kat Prior, Arts and Wellbeing Programme Lead
Kat manages our WHALE Arts core Adults groups including: SmartCraft; Let’s Create; Open Studio; Stitch N Time and Men’s Makers. She is also one of the artists who leads SmartCraft.
Kirsty Frankland, Art & Wellbeing Manager
Kirsty runs our Arts and Wellbeing programme including WHALE Arts core Adults groups including: SmartCraft; Let’s Create; Stitch N Time; Men’s Makers; Let’s Dance and more. She manages a team of freelance artists who facilitate these groups and works with partner organisations to deliver a wider range of creative projects at WHALE. Kirsty is also involved with developing progression routes through WHALE Arts with our newest project Grow Your Own Artist.
Kate Griffin, CEO
Kate is responsible for WHALE Arts’ strategic and operational development. Broadly she ensures the organisation achieves its objectives by overseeing all aspects of WHALE’s programming, building, staffing and finances. Kate works on fundraising, funding reporting and building networks with funders, HR, organisational policy development, governance, strategic projects, capital development and developing and diversifying income streams through enterprise development. Kate also works on area-wide networks through being co-chair of Living Well Wester Hailes, Go Beyond and sits on the Community Planning Partnership.
Michael Bowdidge, Community Development Lead & Street Arts Coordinator
Michael is the newly appointed Community Development Lead and he is responsible for managing the Street Arts team, programming exciting and innovative creative activities with partner artists, while engaging with young people as part of our award winning Street Arts project.
Michelle Robson, Front of House Assistant
Michelle is one of first points of contact for visitors, participants and tenants, on the phone or in person. You can contact her if you need to book a room or have an enquiry about WHALE Arts activities. She works part-time and supports with the distribution of marketing and social media materials additionally.
Nora Mumford, Community Garden Coordinator
Nora helps maintain and nurture our beautiful WHALE Garden alongside fellow gardener Stuart. She organises volunteer sessions, events, and workshops that connect with the community café and meal plus other groups using WHALE. She works part-time, two days a week.
Piotr Kolasinski, Venue and Facilities Lead
Piotr takes care of technical aspects of the building, from small repairs to safety procedures. He also supports Front of House Team in day to day tasks.
Susan Gibson, Cleaner
Susan takes care of the building and everyone in it. Susan ensures Whale Arts stays a clean, safe and tidy place. Not only that but Susan is an avid crafts person and goes the extra mile by making clocks and designing whale motifs around the building.
Zoë Squair, Head of Operations & Development
Zoë is a key member of the management team working closely with the Interim Chief Executive in the running of the organisation. Zoë supports general operations, finance, funding, HR, and related operational project management.
