Cutteslowe Community Association

I have lived in Oxford since 1982 and in the Cutteslowe area since 2000. I worked as a science teacher in local Oxford schools before volunteering for three years overseas in Sierra Leone, and on my return took up my current post as Associate Professor in Science Education at Oxford University. My main roles are educating the next generation of science teachers, supervising masters and doctoral students in Education and doing educational research in science education.

I took on the role of chair of CCA in 2011. This has allowed me to develop real roots in Cutteslowe and to contribute to the community. It has been a privilege to contribute to the active and committed work that CCA does through its employees, volunteers, trustees, local councillors and many other key partners.

I’ve been living in Oxford in the neighbourhood for the past seven years, and became a trustee of CCA in 2015. My Oxford connections go back to when I was an undergraduate, after which I worked as an economist in industry and then in finance. My wife Sue and I both worked in London where I first became involved in the voluntary sector, initially with a foster parent group in Camden and then as a trustee with a charity providing supported accommodation for teenagers and young adults, most of them being referred as a result of family breakdowns. Working for the community in Oxford was just another step, and a very fulfilling one it has been.

I moved back to Oxford five years ago having been away for 20 years. I became a CCA trustee in 2017, following my involvement in launching Sunnymead Minnows, our under five’s group. I was sad to see the closure of the local children’s centre, having used a similar centre when my children were very small, and wanted to do something to help. I now chair the Minnows Management Group. My career background is working for large financial services firms, specialising in IT Service Assurance. I also specialise in refereeing the arguments between my twins.

I have been a Wolvercote resident since 1991 and a Trustee of CCA since 2017. My particular involvement has been with the Sunnymead Minnows Management Group and Stay and Play.

I initially taught French in Oxfordshire secondary schools, followed by ESOL for the Language Projects in Oldham, Stockport and Ashton-under-Lyne. On returning to Oxford I became a Special Educational Needs Coordinator in a city Middle School and then Comprehensive School until my retirement in 2010. I’m now also a volunteer Independent Parental Supporter for SENDIASS and an amateur flautist. Our three children all attended Cherwell School, and we have six grandchildren.

My background is in marketing, and since returning to freelance work I’ve become increasingly involved with supporting local Oxford social enterprises and community action groups. I joined CCA as trustee in 2023, and enjoy my role exploring strategy and developing our marketing communications.

I have lived in the Cutteslowe/Sunnymead area since 1981 and have been a trustee of CCA since 2013. I’ve been involved in developments including incorporation of the charity, fund-raising and setting up the Sunnymead Minnows.

My professional life has been in research and teaching Microbiology and Genetics and I have taught in the universities of California, Nigeria, Oxford and Oxford Brookes over a period of 50 years. My children were born and brought up in Oxford, and both attended Cutteslowe Primary School and Cherwell School.

I have been managing Cutteslowe Community Centre since January 2021. I grew up in rural North Oxford and previously managed training at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. I moved to Cutteslowe with my husband in 2014 when pregnant with my first daughter. Following her birth, I became very involved with North Oxford Children’s Centre and soon became parent liaison representing parents and users of the Centre at board meetings, quickly becoming involved in the (sadly failed) campaign to save the Children's Centre.

Following the birth of my second daughter in 2018, I discovered Sunnymead Minnows and started to attend all of their sessions, as well as other activities delivered by the community centre such as community cinema and bingo. In January 2021 I was fortunate enough to start my role as Cutteslowe Community Centre Manager! It was a strange first few months as we entered the 3rd COVID lockdown. As the centre re-opened, I took on additional responsibilities including fundraising and increasingly, lobbying on behalf of the area. In February 2025 I was elected Chair of the Federation of Oxford Community Associations that acts as a union for Oxford City Council-owned community centres, providing support and resilience for members. In September 2025 I agreed to co-chair the ‘Friends of Cutteslowe Primary School’ (glutton for punishment!).

I can truly say that I love the community in which I am lucky enough to live, work and raise my children. Seeing the community centre’s work grow and evolve since reopening over lockdown has been both a challenge and a gift. I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and evolve in coming years!

I am originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I studied English to become an English teacher. I am a mother of two and have a rescue dog.

I have been working at the Centre since 2012. Originally my husband and I contacted the Centre to teach English classes. When we contacted the booking Secretary, she mentioned she was about to retire and asked if I wanted to take over her role. I said yes immediately and soon after the interview I was given the position, one that I have taken seriously and passionately ever since.

I am proud to work for a community centre where people feel confident to come for a chat, express a concern or make a room booking.

I think the Cutteslowe Seniors must be the longest running club for elderly people in Oxford. I can genuinely say that the group are feisty and engaged with life, which shows how important friendship and socialising are for older people. Like everyone we have lived through some tough times, but equally we have had such fun and enjoyed many good experiences together.

I was born in Australia but moved to the UK as a child. I trained at Kingston School of Art and St Bartholomew’s Hospital and worked as Senior Medical Artist at the Radcliffe Infirmary, then John Radcliffe Hospital. In addition to producing illustrations for publication we specialised in making teaching programmes for medical students and the general public as well as children’s educational programmes. Taking early retirement to study for a History of Art doctorate, I worked as a teaching assistant/art instructor in a SEND school. I have become very involved in the campaign to reduce the proliferation of energy from waste incinerators across England, as we now burn more than we recycle, 60% of which is toxic plastic that pollutes the air. On a more positive note, we have welcomed several new members to the Cutteslowe Seniors.

I’ve lived in Oxford for since the late 1980s and love working with Oxford communities, local ecology and landscape. I started running Cutteslowe Family Art Club in 2006 and have run many art projects in the community and school across Cutteslowe, taking art into nature, helping set up the community allotment and plant the orchard. I love working in Cutteslowe. Art Club is a creative space after school on a Monday for 4 to 11 years old and their families. The art activities are designed to offer opportunities for all to try out their creative ideas, use a range of different artistic media, learn new skills, gain concentration and have fun together. We learn about artists from all over the world as art offers a unique insight into intercultural learning. I am passionate about art and equality and bringing creative experiences into peoples’ lives in community in an accessible and inclusive way.

Since my MA from the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education in 2002, I’ve continued my own art practice, and work in education, health and social care and communities across Oxford as an artist, integrative arts psychotherapist and art educator. I love dancing and am in several dance and performance groups in Oxford having travelled to learn dance in Japan and Indonesia. I love nature and as an environmentalist am Chair of Oxford Urban Wildlife Group running a nature reserve in East Oxford and connecting with nature spaces and groups across the city.