About Me | Ferry boats Arts & Crafts

I am a disabled textile artist based in South Wales.

When I was 12 yrs. old, my family and I moved to Wales and as I made Wales my home, I welcomed the deep sense of belonging and transformation

to me as a person and as an artist.

I enjoy working with wool, especially crocheting and felting. Felting ignited a passion in me. It enables me to paint with wool and create 2D and 3D

images, full of depth, texture, and character. I also have recently formed a passion for water colour, and am enjoy using the local area to forage for items to make my own paints and inks., and in my own art work.

As a Creative Arts Practitioner, I have a number of qualifications and experience. I am NNEB qualified, 35 years of experience in working with children and a degree in Creative and Therapeutic Arts. I am also a qualified outdoor practitioner. I am guided by theoretical concepts, frameworks and boundaries that define my role as a Creative Arts Practitioner.

I have experience working with both adults and children, and also additional needs, dementia, autism, chronic pain, survivors of domestic abuse and their children and mental health.

I am passionate about developing social inclusion, and promoting wellbeing and enabling both children and adults to have access to good quality art at an affordable price.

I enjoy working in the local community, facilitating person centred workshops to enhance the wellbeing of participants, of all ages.

Art trail in Pontypridd by the Creative and Therapeutic Art graduates, from University of South Wales, in partnership with Pontypridd town council and Your Pontypridd.

The Art Trail is an opportunity to honour and celebrate the wonderful place and people of Pontypridd who directly inspire the artwork created. As the Community Artists, Participatory Artists and Socially Engaged Arts Practitioners of the future, the students have translated their artwork into something which actively encourages participation with the public.

The exhibition not only showcases their work, but also provides a collection of resources and activities for the people of Ponty to enjoy.

Students are asked to consider accessibility and inclusivity at the heart of their practice, so the exhibition content can range from street art, outdoor sculpture, textiles, painting and photography, to videos with captions, soundscapes, flip books / zines, activity sheets, creative wellbeing packages, guided meditation, recipes and even more!

For the Grad Show 2022, I worked with

Little Lounge, a church ran community hub based in Cilfynydd, Pontypridd.

During my time with them, I spent time planting in their community garden, planting potatoes, french beans, pumpkins and butternut squash, with local families. These will be maintained by the community and then go onto feed the local community through the pantry. I facilitated a workshop, needle felting potatoes and potato leaves. These will be then used to create the base for a felted wall hanging that depicts the life cycle of a potato and the process with the community. To ensure the whole community can access the artwork, I created an online flip book depicting the time I have spent with Little Lounge and also the Artwork. The artwork was gifted to Little Lounge upon completion of the Grad Show.

Ferry Boat Arts CIC

Ferry Boat Arts CIC is a Community Interest Company based in Port Talbot, South Wales, delivering inclusive, nature-based arts experiences that support wellbeing, creativity, and community connection.

We operate from a woodland outdoor studio and play space, offering a calm and inspiring environment where people of all ages can explore creativity in nature. Our work is designed to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and celebrate diversity across Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

Our Purpose and Values

The business is driven by a deep commitment to inclusion, wellbeing, and creative freedom. We believe that every person should have access to a safe, supportive space where they can express themselves without judgement. Our work is guided by professional ethical principles, including empathy, confidentiality, and boundaries. These values ensure that all participants feel respected, safe, and supported throughout their experience.

What we offer

Inclusive arts workshops for children, adults, families, and carers
Holiday and after-school art clubs
One-to-one therapeutic creative sessions
Community group partnerships
Social and creative events, including birthday parties and “Muddy Makers” sessions

Our impact

We support people with a wide range of needs, including those with additional learning needs, emotional wellbeing challenges, and social isolation. Over 60 families regularly engaged with our sessions during April 2025–March 2026, with strong evidence of improved confidence, wellbeing, and community connection.

Our values

Inclusivity and accessibility for all
Creativity inspired by nature
Use of recycled and natural materials wherever possible
Supporting biodiversity and caring for our woodland site
Strengthening community wellbeing through shared creative experiences

We are also developing our site, including refurbishing an outdoor classroom that was kindly donated to us, and expanding opportunities for inclusive employment and community engagement.

Our Approach

As a Creative Arts Practitioner, my role is to provide a calm, non-judgemental environment where children, young people, and adults can engage in meaningful creative experiences and benefit holistically from the process.

We offer a balance of both directive and non-directive practice. This means participants are given structure when needed, but also the freedom to explore, experiment, and follow their own ideas. Children are encouraged to make independent choices about materials and direction, supporting confidence, creativity, and ownership of their work.

Mistakes are not something to fear — instead, they are part of the creative journey. Every participant is supported to produce work they can feel proud of, in their own time and in their own way.

Safeguarding and Professional Standards

All staff members hold enhanced DBS checks, and the organisation is fully insured for teaching, arts facilitation, and forest school activities. Safeguarding, safety, and professionalism are central to everything we do.

Participation and Feedback

We actively encourage feedback from parents, carers, children, and adult participants. A suggestions box is available for ideas, reflections, and improvements. This ongoing dialogue helps shape and improve our sessions and ensures we continue to meet the needs of our community as effectively as possible. We also accept online reviews via facebook and google. We have a QR code stand that takes you directly to our google review page.