Cynefin 2 - How can the arts contribute to healthy communities?
Contributors’ biographies
Sandy Clubb, Policy Advisor: Involvement, Collaboration and Culture, The Future Generations Commissioners Office
Sandy works with the whole team to ensure that our work is informed by meaningful conversations and that we engage with people from a wide variety of backgrounds across Wales. Outside of work Sandy is active with a number of community and environmental groups, and volunteers as a befriender. Sandy loves to be outdoors and close to nature, cycling, running or walking with friends and family and is a serial instigator of book clubs.
Karen Mak, Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology and Statistics, University College London
Dr Karen (Hei Wan) Mak is a Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology and Statistics at University College London and a Global Population Health Fellow with the WHO - Jameel Arts & Health Lab. Her research examines how arts and cultural engagement shape health, wellbeing and inequalities across populations, using large-scale international data to inform public health and cultural policy. She has also served as a Policy Fellow with the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has been named a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.
Adrian Williams, Strategic Arts & Culture Manager, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Adrian has extensive experience in developing cultural programmes, partnerships, and place-based initiatives that strengthen communities and support economic growth. He leads the strategic development of the arts service, working collaboratively with artists, cultural organisations, public sector partners, and stakeholders to increase participation, enhance cultural opportunities, and maximise the impact of investment. Adrian is passionate about the role of culture in shaping vibrant, inclusive places and driving positive social outcomes. His work focuses on long-term planning, advocacy, and innovation, ensuring that arts and culture remain at the heart of community development and regeneration.
Gemma Dobbs, Arts and Community Engagement Officer, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council
Gemma leads the development and engagement of Cwlwm Celf - RCT’s growing artist network, which has attracted more than 211 artists within its first two months. She is the day-to-day lead working with artists through RCT’s Artists in Service programme, the first of its kind to be run by a UK council. Gemma is currently supporting community engagement for Pontypridd’s Town of Culture bid and has previously worked on Music & Frailty, an Arts Council of Wales-funded project delivered in collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for artists, strengthening creative networks and connecting communities through culture.
Mared Elliw Huws, Arts Development Coordinator, Pontio, Bangor University
Mared has been leading the BLAS program since its establishment in 2013. Before joining Pontio, he worked freelance as a drama and music practitioner for over 10 years. Mared is responsible for developing and managing a wide range of arts projects that connect the arts with communities, health and wellbeing, education and developing new talent. Her work focuses on creating opportunities for people who may not normally have access to the arts, developing projects in partnership with individuals, communities and local organisations. Sion Telor won her comfort dog who works for BLAS the BBC Make a Difference Award in 2025 for his work with BLAS.
Emma M Price, Co-Director, Studio Response
Emma M Price has over 25 years’ experience in curating and producing art in the public realm with artists, architects, designers, and makers across both public and private sectors. She is a passionate advocate of working with communities through progressive, imaginative, and sustainable projects that embrace the spirit of art, people, and place.
Jo Breckon, Co-Director, Studio Response
Jo Breckon has more than twenty‑five years’ experience in strategic development and programme delivery in the arts across the public and private sectors. She is passionate about the role of the arts in supporting wellbeing and is a strong advocate for the transformational power of public art. She has particular expertise around the process of commissioning temporary, experiential and permanent artwork within healthcare settings. Jo has a special interest in collaborating with writers and integrating the written word into public art commissions.
Alison Moore, South Wales Coordinator, Social Forestry Wellbeing Team, Small Woods Association
Alison raises the profile of Small Woods, taking forward the strategic direction, whilst developing funding ideas to build the scope and breadth of our social forestry programmes. Alison works with the Coordination, delivery teams and partners to help shape and drive the Social Forestry activities. Alison has a passion for nature and getting others to see how important it is for our wellbeing. She is a keen runner and biker, getting out, whatever the weather, as well is being a singer / song writer.
Heledd Fychan, Trefnydd, Chief Whip and Cabinet Minister for Culture and Sport
As a Member of the Senedd, Heledd has campaigned on a variety of topics including greater action on the climate emergency and support for communities facing an ongoing risk of flooding; the closure of Craig yr Hesg quarry; a more central role for culture, history, heritage, the arts, and sport in government programmes; the future of the Welsh language; tackling poverty; better support for learners with additional learning needs and school transport.
Sandy Clubb, Policy & Implementation Officer, Wellbeing of Future Generations Office
Dr Karen Mak, Senior Research Fellow in Epidemiology and Statistics, University College London; Global Population Health Fellow, Jameel Arts & Health Lab; Policy Fellow, DCMS Secretary of State's Delivery Unit
Young People from Valleys Kids’ Sparc programme with Miranda Ballin, Director of Arts
Adrian Williams, Strategic Arts & Culture Manager, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Gemma Dobbs, Arts & Community Engagement Assistant, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
Mared Huws, Arts Development Coordinator, & Manager of the BLAS programme, Pontio
Emma Price & Jo Breckon, Co-Directors, Studio Response
Alison Moore, Social Forestry and Wellbeing Manager, Coed Lleol
Heledd Fychan, Minister for Culture & Sport
Sparc Young People (supported by Miranda Ballin), Valleys Kids
Mared Huws, Pontio
Emma Price & Jo Breckon, Studio Response
Alison Moore, Coed Lleol
Sandy Clubb, Policy & Implementation Officer, Wellbeing of Future Generations Office