Jane is a cultural leader with deep expertise in fostering community connections and creating opportunities for shared creative expression. As Community Engagement Lead at Global Grooves, she is central to shaping initiatives that celebrate cultural diversity, encourage participation, and build bridges between communities through the arts.
Jane’s journey with Global Grooves began in the early 2000s, when she transitioned from a career in Higher Education to volunteering on community arts projects. Her passion and commitment have since taken her to inspiring cultural initiatives worldwide, including Meninos do Morumbi in Brazil and Kartong Festival in The Gambia. These experiences enriched her understanding of how creativity can transcend boundaries, challenge assumptions, and cultivate a sense of shared humanity.
Her leadership has brought forward projects like Cotton Culture, a Heritage Lottery-funded initiative that explored the North West’s textile legacy and its global connections. Through storytelling, workshops, and exhibitions, Jane created spaces for participants to reflect on migration, labour, and shared heritage, fostering a nuanced understanding of identity and history.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jane led Re-connect Tameside, a project that supported isolated and vulnerable residents through creative and wellbeing activities. Her efforts ensured that communities remained connected and empowered through the arts during an unprecedented time of separation and challenge.
Jane’s contributions to the Active Citizens programme, a British Council initiative, reflect her commitment to nurturing leadership from diverse backgrounds. By mentoring participants to develop creative approaches to community challenges, she has strengthened networks of individuals dedicated to driving positive change.
Jane’s work weaves together local and global perspectives, creating opportunities for individuals and communities to collaborate, learn from one another, and reimagine their stories. Her dedicated approach reflects a commitment to fairness, shared responsibility, and respect for diverse experiences, making a valued contribution Greater Manchester’s cultural landscape.
