Douglas Hunter, Chief Executive
Formerly an award-winning painter Douglas has been with Equal Arts for 18 years. He enjoys combining a strategic approach alongside knowing the difference creativity makes to people's lives
Kate Parkin, Arts & Health Programme Manager
Kate supports the delivery of inclusive and dementia-friendly creative practice and training across cultural venues and health settings.
She has worked in the field of arts and health and participatory arts for the last 20 years and is currently on secondment with Arts Council England.
Outside of work Kate enjoys indoor and open water swimming in lakes and reservoirs (when not bitterly freezing).
Kerry Wood, Chief Operating Officer
Having worked as a journalist for 10 years, Kerry returned to Public Relations and Communications supporting organisations to raise their public profile, widen their reach and share their stories. With Equal Arts since 2014, Kerry supports strategic overview for the charity and leads on the day to day running of the organisation's operational, finance and communication functions.
In her younger years Kerry fleetingly played women’s rugby and is currently trying her hand at seaweed pressing, scavenging along the North East coastline.
Hannah Wood, Fundraising and Projects Manager
Hannah began working with Equal Arts in 2018 as our London Associate Artist. Now, she fundraises for Equal Arts’ work nationally and leads our South of England based projects and partnerships.
As a Creative Wellbeing practitioner, she also delivers participatory workshops in care settings, schools and cultural venues with a focus on storytelling and imagination.
Susan Ratliff, Participant Support Coordinator
Susan provides regular support and assistant to those participating in our weekly groups ensuring they have access to creative opportunities. The group workshops at cultural venues across the area are led by the interests of those attending.
Sarah Lawrance, Publications and Heritage Programmes Manager
Sarah has worked in museums and libraries for over 30 years and loves working with people and collections to tell stories.
She joined Equal Arts to develop our dementia-friendly publishing imprint Open Ended Books and lead our new reading with dementia programmes.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys reading… and singing, drawing and walking the dog.
Nicola Kendall, Training Development Manager
Nic joined the team in 2025 and brings with her a wealth of experience.
She's previously worked in health and social care, mental health services and hospice dementia care, where she set up a community project in Durham which supported people living with dementia in their own homes.
In her spare time, Nic loves to write, go wild swimming and she is very interested in holistic therapies.
