Meet the team

We are a welcoming team of people, keen on ensuring our centre is open to anyone who accesses our services.

“With the power of theatre we have the power to change life as we know it for working class communities.”

Katie Mahon

Centre Manager

Alongside running Bloomin’ Buds, Katie is Rockwell’s Centre Manager. She supports the whole team and is the driving force behind all the amazing things that take place in the centre

“I can’t wait to take an instrumental role in changing the face of the arts in Bradford.”

Jennifer Johnson 

Safe Guarding Officer

Jennifer is our Safeguarding officer supporting the team and all the centres participants. She also facilitates our Wednesday Adults Arts Wellbeing evening alongside Shannon.

Ash Stone

Ash is our newest member of the team. They will be on reception welcoming everyone into the centre as well as running our Social Media and programming.

Social Media Manager

Garry Mahon

Garry Mahon helps out around the centre doing a lot of the behind the scenes organising and fixing as our Caretaker. Gary has also recently starred in a play about his own family history called Nero’s Ices.

Caretaker

Nikki Barker

Nikki works behind the scenes organising our centres events and parties that happen in all our spaces.

Events Manager

Facilitators

Carolyn Mahon

Carolyn has volunteered with Bloomin’ Buds since we formed in October 2014 among other part time jobs. Recently Carolyn found confidence to begin working in the arts in June 2019 and has become passionate about sharing working class narratives and working within working class communities. Since starting, Carolyn now facilitates creative sessions for children at The Rockwell Community Centre, including our Wednesday Messy Play Sessions.

Ellie Cansdale

Ellie is a freelance creative, and creator of The Leaky Truth, based in West Yorkshire. She first started working with Bloomin’ Buds in 2021 completing a year in industry with the company as part of her BA Hons in Theatre and Performance. Since then, Ellie has continued to work with Bloomin’ Buds, facilitating our weekly Singing for Health, and Knit & Natter Sessions. Ellie has a passion for all things community theatre, from writing to teching to performing, and Bloomin’ Buds has given her a space to grow this love.

Kirsty Naylor

Kirsty is our amazing chef, cooking up delicious meals for our Grub club on Fridays as well as snacks for Messy Play. She jumps in to support events both in the centre and outside, including our HAF holiday programme.

Amy Nicole

Amy supports our Messy Play Sessions, Saturday Crafts and jumps in to support sessions when needed. She also has a Sensory Room pop up in the centre and runs sessions during our HAF holiday sessions throughout the year.

Shannon Beale

Shannon helps facilitate and support our Wednesday Adults Arts and Wellbeing evening sessions.