Meet our team
The Founders
Sarah Hemmings
CEO and Founder
Sarah Hemmings has worked in the adult education sector for over 15 years, as an Art and English teacher, Assessor, and a department head. Sarah is also a professional artist, with her own practice and online shop.
Sarah holds a BA (Hons) in English Literature and has worked as an Art and English teacher for both younger students and adult learners, on qualification and non-accredited programmes. Sarah became a Department Head for Adult Education at an FE college in 2012, where she continued to learn and train, undertaking a Diploma in Educational Management as well as additional teaching, assessing, mental health and Safeguarding qualifications. During her time in further education she devised, led on and taught a number of different programmes, including helping adults back into work, courses for victims of domestic violence, courses for the probation service, and adults in secure hospitals, English programmes for non-native speakers for parents in local primary schools, courses for adults with special educational needs and programmes designed to run in residential care homes and day centres for older learners living with Dementia and age related illnesses.
Sarah has always firmly believed in the value of lifelong learning and has witnessed first-hand the difference learning can make to people’s lives and how important it is for the mind and body. Over her career, she saw how creativity brought people together, how it bonded people from completely different walks of life, how it increased confidence and self-esteem, created an outlet for self-expression and ultimately became an important tool for recovery.
Since founding Creative Communities with Tanya Reid in 2021, Sarah has delivered a wide range of therapeutic creative courses, including Family Learning, courses in care homes and day centres, courses for adults with special educational needs, and adults with mental health conditions. Sarah is currently undertaking her diploma in Art Therapy and has no plans to ever stop learning! Outside of work Sarah enjoys creating her own artwork, drawing inspiration from nature and wildlife in rural West Berkshire where she lives with her husband, two dogs and a cat.
Tanya Reid
CEO and Founder
Tanya Reid is a professional Artist and Art Teacher she received a BA, Fine Art from the Durban University of Technology in South Africa where she studied for 4 years majoring in Painting and Art History. She also studied drawing, ceramics, printmaking, textile design, sculpture. In 2012 Tanya moved to the UK and trained to teach in the adult learning sector. She worked as an Adult Education Learning Lecturer at a local community and Sixth Form College for 5 years before co-founding Creative Communities with Sarah Hemmings.
Tanya has been teaching Art and other creative courses for the past 25 years in schools, art centres, carehomes and community spaces and privately from her own studio. She exhibits her work regularly and works on large private commissions. Since 2016 Tanya has been teaching a range of therapeutic creative courses to adults at local colleges, arts centres and out in the community for day centres, care homes and supported housing schemes. She has taught family learning courses in local primary schools and worked with local mental health charities and delivered workshops for the visually impaired. She has a special interest in working with people with Dementia, and adults with poor mental health, including young adults with low self-esteem.
Tanya is currently studying toward a MA in Creative Education at The Royal College of Art where she was the recipient of the President and Vice Chancellor Scholarship for her outstanding application based on her own creative practice and the work she has done for Creative Communities over the past 5 years.
Tanya passionately believes that creativity is the key to an optimal life experience and that people living with a range of different issues including mental health, dementia, special educational needs, physical barriers, and socio-economic disadvantages can change their daily lives for the better through some form of creative activity.
Tanya lives in Surrey along the banks of the Thames River with her husband and three very creative children, she enjoys walks along the river and the odd paddleboard now and then and finds enormous inspiration from the Impressionist movement, the changing seasons and natural world. She particularly loves painting large florals, landscapes and water scenes.
Support Staff
Katie Lailey
Programme Coordinator
Fiona Stevens
Finance Officer
We are delighted to welcome Fiona to our team in the role of Finance Officer. Fiona has worked in Finance in the Education Sector for 22 years and previous to this she worked in a High Street Bank for over 10 years. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience to help Creative Communities continue to grow.
Fiona is organised, efficient and highly skilled, with a truly caring and friendly nature.
Fiona enjoys meeting new people and in her spare time loves spending time with her family, gardening and reading historical fiction.
Fiona is really looking forward to being part of the Creative Communities team and we feel truly fortunate to have her with us.
Teaching Staff and Volunteers
Kim Harrison
Tutor - Flower Arranging
Kim joins our Creative Communities team as a talented and experienced flower arranging tutor. She holds a City and Guilds qualification in floristry and runs a successful floristry business, Lavenders, in Newbury, Berkshire, which she opened in 2014 when she moved to the area from the Caribbean.
Kim has been teaching flower arranging workshops since her business began, offering private workshops for leisure, as well as delivering sessions via the West Berkshire Heritage scheme at Shaw House and also through Newbury College. She has also worked closely with the West Berkshire Young Dementia service, offering classes and workshops as well as delivering sessions for local residential care homes.
Kim continues to design flowers for bespoke occasions and has had the honour of creating a bouquet for HRH the Duchess of Gloucester. She has also appeared on BBC Radio Berkshire discussing tips for creating seasonal arrangements.
Kim holds a Level 3 Certificate in Education and Training and regularly attends workshops in floristry to keep up to date with trends and her own professional development.
Beverley Landreth-Smith
Tutor - Sewing
Beverley Landreth-Smith joins our team as an experienced seamstress,
designer, dressmaker and tutor.
Beverley started sewing as a child and has 40 years of experience in many of the stitching disciplines, soft furnishings, designing and making costumes; making, altering, repairing, and fitting.
Beverley leads workshops and courses in sewing, dressmaking, tailoring
and up-cycling.
Jacky Purtill
Tutor - Mixed Media Art and Craft
Jacky Purtill joins our team as an experienced arts practitioner and teacher, with over 30 years as a practicing freelance artist, craftsperson and educator.
During her career, Jacky has been involved in a number of exhibitions, events, client based briefs, teaching and learning activities. Jacky continues to develop her own artwork and to teach others how to create innovative and engaging artwork through painting and mixed media.
Having originally trained as a jeweller and silversmith in her early career, she progressed into education and worked as full-time lecturer in further and adult education.
Jacky’s passion is now painting and mixed media, she enjoys exploring natural forms, abstraction, surface texture and colour.
Charlotte Adcock
Tutor - Printmaking
Charlotte joins the Creative Communities team as an experienced printmaker, artist and crafter, holding a BA Hons in Fine Art and Art history.
Her specialism is printmaking; including Linoprint, Gelli plate printing, Monoprint and Screenprinting. Charlotte has a real passion for art and loves to share this, teaching workshops to both adults and children across West Berkshire. Charlotte has worked on many exciting creative commissions and collaborative art projects within the community and local schools.
Charlotte enjoys creating and exhibiting her own work, often inspired by the natural work, and is a regular exhibitor in galleries and art spaces across West Berkshire.
Sabrina Talana-Carruth
Tutor - Sustainable and Eco-conscious Art and Craft
We are really excited to welcome Sabrina to the Creative Communities team. The workshops and courses that she runs are designed to spark creativity, re-connect with nature as well as aiming to benefit and improve mental and general wellbeing through the creative process.
Sabrina has worked in education for over 10 years as class assistant for children with special needs, an art technician in both boarding and state schools, as well as an FE College, adult and community lecturer and lately as a freelance tutor for both young people and adults.
Sabrina has a broad educational background that ranges from bio-chemistry and Italian history of art and literature to Interior Design and holds a BA (Hons) in Interior and Architectural Design specialising in eco conscious methods and materials. She has taken part in various community projects linking art, crafts and wellbeing.
Sabrina is very passionate about sustainability and working with natural materials and techniques in ways that are kinder to the Earth.
Sabrina is also the founder of FloriS TinctoRiuM, a creative Studio that explores art, design and artisan making in a sustainable and circular way to create curated artefacts that are aesthetically pleasing as well as purposeful and environmentally conscious.
Sophie Waite
Tutor - Ceramics
Sophie joins our team as an experienced ceramicist and teacher. She graduated with 1st class hons degree in 3D design in 2008.
Her decorative ceramics, often inspired by nature, are sold at the Artisan Handmade shop in Newbury, Berkshire and also directly to clients through commissions. She has exhibited her work for many years for the Berkshire and North Hampshire Open Studios.
Sophie has mostly been recognised as ‘Sophie Waite Ceramics’ however since the pandemic she had also created a home pottery pack with a new name of ‘Muddy Pig Pottery’ which uses air dry clay. Sophie has been hosting clay workshops for adults, children and the elderly for over 10 years. These are run in cafes, preschools, nurseries, and schools, as well as distance learning through her pottery packs.
Sophie believes that working with clay has so many benefits both physically and mentally and is passionate about encouraging others to enjoy the experience.
Carol Davis
Physical Activities Tutor (chair based or seated)
Carol is a highly experienced fitness professional with over 20 years in the health and fitness industry. Her passion for fitness began at an early age through group exercise and team sports, and she has since built a successful career dedicated to helping others lead healthier, fitter lives. In 2002 Carol created Sportbillyfitness and continues to support the wellness goals of individuals and groups of all ages.
Carol holds a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and a Diploma in Personal Training (DIP PT), along with numerous fitness qualifications.
Known for her dedication and professional approach, Carol offers both online and in-person training and exercise classes, providing fun, exciting fitness and nutrition programs to help everyone achieve their goals. With her vast experience and wide range of qualifications, she continues to inspire and support individuals to lead healthier lifestyles.
Kate Kearns
Chair Dancing Tutor and Seated Yoga Tutor
Kate Kearns is an experienced dance practitioner in West Berkshire and has been teaching dance for over 20 years. Kate studied dance at the University of Surrey and then gained a PGCE in secondary dance. She has worked in various secondary and primary schools as well as running dance and yoga classes for adults and children. She specializes in contemporary dance as well as ballet, modern and creative dance. Kate teaches yoga classes for those using a mat or seated, and has taught chair dance as well within a care home setting.
Kate is enthusiastic and passionate about delivering dance within the community and is a firm believer that there is a dancer in everyone and that movement can positively improve their lives. She is excited to join the team and upcoming projects with Creative Communities.
Anita Clark
Digital Photography Tutor
Anita Clark is an award-winning professional photographer with 20 years of experience. She has a BA in Photography and Digital Imaging from Berkshire College of Art and Design where she trained before becoming an assistant photographer.
Anita’s talent was recognised early in her career when she was named the Overall Winner of the Fuji Student Awards in 1997. As an assistant she worked for many renowned photographers and played a vital role in high-profile advertising campaigns for international brands.
Her innovative vision continued to bring success, including an award from the Association of Photographers Assistant Awards for a groundbreaking series that depicted people as sculptures viewed from beneath a sheet of glass. She has also created a compelling series of underwater portraits and a distinctive fashion/documentary crossover series featuring dinner ladies.
Known for her inventive approach, Anita always strives to present her fashion and portrait images in a unique and imaginative way. For the last ten years Anita has worked as a freelance photographer and establishing a highly successful children’s fashion and portrait photography business. Anita’s passion for photography is obvious to anyone who knows her and she has a wealth of experience to share.
Janet McGinn
SEN Volunteer
Janet joins our Creative Communities team as a specialist SEN teacher and volunteer. She has taught students with and without learning difficulties and disabilities for the last 24 years, including adult learners and younger, full-time students.
Janet has worked as a Job Coach teaching Life and Work Skills to students within the workplace, as well as designing and delivering provision for adults in literacy, numeracy, communication skills, creativity, cookery, ICT and culture and diversity. Janet has also worked on ESOL (English for Speakers of other Languages), Mental Health and Family Learning programmes.
Janet brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of teaching and working with adults with learning difficulties and disabilities and adults suffering with mental ill-health, both on accredited and non-accredited programmes.
Janet is always a firm favourite with learners, due to the passion and enthusiasm she puts in to every lesson.
Jackie Ash
Volunteer
Jackie Ash joins our team as a volunteer, specialising in supporting adults with learning difficulties and disabilities. Jackie started her career as a graduate trainee in retailing, her love was working with people so she diverted into a career in HR, working with Asda.
After taking a career break for her children, Jackie spent 7 years working as a support assistant with teenagers & adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Having worked with Janet & Sarah previously, Jackie was keen to join them at Creative Communities as a volunteer. The learners love Jackie’s enthusiasm and warm and positive manner.
Linda Turner
Volunteer
Linda joins the Creative Communities team as a volunteer for the Special Educational Needs provision. Linda’s desire to help others and her belief in learning through creativity, led her to join Creative Communities as a volunteer, having previously met Sarah and Tanya as a learner herself on the Art for Wellbeing programmes.
Linda has previously worked in schools, where she specialised in offering speech and language programmes for learners with moderate to severe learning difficulties. Linda went on to study as a mature student, gaining a BA (Hons) in Children’s Development and Learning, which has inspired her to follow her passion, helping others to grow and learn. Her unique experiences as an adult learner, together with her professional experience and qualifications, make Linda a truly fantastic volunteer.
Linda moved to West Berkshire in 2021, reigniting her passion for nature and being outdoors, spending her free time digging and harvesting on her allotment and taking long walks in the countryside. Linda also loves spending time being creative through art and continues to attend art courses with Creative Communities. In 2023 Linda won a West Berkshire Learner Achievement Award with West Berkshire Council for her dedication and commitment to learning, creativity and supporting others.