Working with a self advocacy charity for learning disabled adults, supporting them to run this organisation as much as possible on their own terms. I support members by designing a website, using google sites, that can be updated independently by our members and by creating excel based accounts to allow on site documentation and bookeeping that the Treasurer can work with and understand and update. The charity has a Queens Award for voluntary service and is run by and for the members.

This is an all hands on deck role working with a self advocacy group for learning disabled adults based in Chesterfield which is run by and for the members. My role supports members with the development of and participation in their group, including an accessible website which they can now update independently. I teach members how to use different social media channels so they can be actively involved in promoting the work of the group and sharing their experiences. Using skills picked up as a freelancer I also do the bookkeeping and prepare the accounts working alongside the Treasurer. I develop spreadsheets using excel to provide information for funders and our accountants and have also developed other administrative resources for timesheets, invoicing and petty cash. It is a varied role that relies on a flexible approach, a calm nature, empathy and a willingness to take on and resolve challenging situations and an acceptance and celebration of all our differences. Problem solving and learning new skills on the job is a big part of the work with a small team of 4 staff supporting over 60 members to get involved.

Using traditional earthenware and slip in non traditional ways, Andrea is a potter with a love of drawing, crafts and surface design. She combines printmaking and pottery techniques working with linocut, mould- making and slab building to make intricately detailed relief printed wall art, tiles and sculptural multimedia pieces. Work is available to view on my website and at selected galleries. www.andrealeighceramicsandprint.com

I am a print designer with 15 years experience of designing prints for nightwear and children's wear in the apparel industry. Researching trends, developing colour palettes and hand drawing are my key skills and I work mainly in Photoshop to add colour, develop pattern repeats and show style ranges and occasionally in Illustrator to live trace hand drawn images to vectors. As a Ceramic Artist I also work with traditional relief printing techniques designing imagery to apply to ceramic pieces, usually using the natural world as my inspiration.

Studying part time for an MA in Ceramics alongside working with a self advocacy group for learning disabled adults. The course ends with an exhibition at the British Ceramic Biennial in Stoke on Trent, home of British Pottery. As part of this course I have done research into inclusive design with help from Visually Impaired members of the group I support Our Vision Our Future and the RNIB to develop ceramic functional ware that is accessible and beautiful. A recent project uses clay as an expressive material responding to imagery of war recent and historic and reflecting on the ever repeating cycle and the resilience of civilians whose lives are devastated by war.

I worked with a groups of learning disabled artists in an open studio environment where I encouraged them to develop their own practice. I researched and delivered a programme of activities to broaden their experience of styles, materials and techniques encouraging an experimental approach to their work. As part of building their confidence and acceptance as artists I curated a number of exhibitions of their work and an art loan booklet to offer work to exhibit at other venues.I also supported other artists in sensory and performance sessions using, sound, movement, digital and visual arts to create immersive environments that encouraged learning disabled participants to engage with the arts in an inclusive way.

Working in collaboration with 7 other Northern Potters to produce ceramic white roses for a Festival of Flowers at Ripon Cathedral 28th April - 2nd May 2016.

I was the lead designer for Smithy Green Apparel until 2004, when I started my family, designing ranges of mainly ladies and children's nightwear for high street stores including Bhs, Dorothy Perkins, Debenhams, La Senza, Sainsburys, Tammy, Littlewoods, Bewise, Ethel Austin, Grattans, Bonmarché and others. I continued to design mainly for their La Senza account until 2010. Print design was an important part of this role, I developed co-ordinating all over prints, placements, embroideries, appliqués, stripes and checks. With over 7000 pieces of artwork created for a range of clients I have a very flexible approach and am experienced in researching trends to adapt my style to suit the brand and customer profile. My strengths lie in prints with a hand drawn feel and applying this to all over surface patterns.

Working with a team of children's wear designers to produce prints for their styles.

I started at Hollas as a design room assistant, as I have no formal fashion qualification. With help from the design director I learned how to use photoshop and draw up working sketches. I was promoted to Children's Nightwear Designer which required a large amount of graphic work. After leaving in March 1998 I continued to work for Hollas as a freelance designer.

As a volunteer I accompanied a group of teenagers from the youth club on a trip to Zutphen, Holland. I also worked on a tile project with a group of teenagers with special needs who also attended the local college.

As an artist in residence I taught groups of primary school children in exchange for studio space. We worked on a series of mosaics, based on images designed by the children.

This was a 6 month placement with Jenna Kumiega the Head of Arts at the Shropshire County Council. During my time there I helped in setting up and hanging a travelling exhibition of works which was shown in various locations around Shropshire. I also assisted with the general office administration, inputting and updating information on a data base and other general duties.

Working on a summer holiday play scheme with large groups of children aged 5 - 11 years. I devised and helped with art and craft activities and supervised play activities.