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Meet the team!
Currently our team consists of 3 directors, myself (Debbi), Suzanne, and Craig (who is a behind the scenes director). We have 8 other facilitators; Neil (of Museum of Classic Sci-Fi fame), Katie (ThunderskyArt) Jane, Em, Lucy, Karen who looks after our sewing group and Saturday art class and Rhian who takes our Arts Award club. We also need to welcome the newest member of our team, Pickle (information to come soon!)
Debbi
I am Debbi, I started Debbi's Doodles in 2021 after I decided that mainstream teaching wasn't for me. I have a PGCE in Design Technology, a BA in Creative Practice, an MA in Education specialising in inclusion as well as an array of random qualifications such as an A level in Russian. I have 4 children and we have quite a neurodiverse household which makes our lives exciting and never ever dull! I love creating and I am excellent at making mess!
In my spare time, I love walking and being outside, making pictures in the clouds and finding faces in trees! I am an avid collector of 'cool things' like shells, rocks and acorns and I love lego!
Suzanne
Suzanne joined Doodles in September 2024, hoping to combine her love of creativity and working with young people outdoors into the studio. She has knowledge, experience and skills which enables her to focus on connection, process and felt safety with young people accessing our provision. Suzanne says:
"I love the ethos here at Doodles - it is a great fit for me and a great fit for so many of the young people who arrive here. We're an authentic bunch, with lived experience, which helps to build the trust needed to support young people through creativity.
I've delivered forest school for 9 years, helping to develop an alternative provision which, at the time, was pretty niche. I'm bringing my training, knowledge and experience to Doodles, where I'm lucky to deliver sessions both at the studio and in the woods.
I enjoy working with young people who need time, space and authentic ways to connect, and just need someone to join them on their journey so they can feel safe and heard. I also love hands on, messy creativity, so I think I'm in the right place!"
Neil
Neil has had 25+ years teaching experience teaching everything from Maths and English to music and Art. He has spent the last part of his teaching career specialising in Art and his classroom became the face of the Arts Mark award, he even had a TARDIS in his classroom! He started building the Museum of Classic Sci-Fi in 2016 and it has gone from strength to strength since then often getting the interest of actors, producers and sci-fi enthusiasts alike. He has appeared on Netflix's Amazing Interiors and a variety of other TV and DVD productions (check out his website for more info!) Neil has restored all the monsters in the museum himself and is passionate about comic art.
katie
Katie creates magical, whimsical creations as well as making her own watercolour paints and taking commissions for animal portraits. Katie has 3 children, she has lived in the most interesting places and has some fascinating stories to tell about her time abroad!
Jane
Jane is passionate about ceramics. She's a potter by trade and loves all things clay.
She's a crazy ball of chaos that brightens up the studio and has lots of creative ideas, and they all involve mess.
She loves the sea and paddleboarding and sharing her love of creating.
Em
Em is a Level 3 Forest School practitioner with a passion for natural crafting. She loves working with young people and those with neurodivergence and special educational needs.
She has recently started Lego therapy sessions and is passionate about the social and emotional breakthroughs that can be made with interlocking blocks.
At home, she is a mum to one neurodivergent seven-year-old, who is the reason she does everything she does. She has a house full of pets and exotic plants and loves spending time outdoors in nature.
Lucy
Lucy is studying a Master's in Museum Studies and doing various volunteering at museums on Hadrian's Wall. She has recently managed the Oodles of Doodles exhibition at the Forge in Allendale, as well as a temporary exhibition at the Great North Museum.
She is a multimedia artist, always learning new art forms. In the last few years, she has taken up:
1. Sewing
2. Wig design
3. Embroidery
4. Digital art
Rhian
Rhian is a mum of five who has a background of working with people of all ages with SEN and neurodiversities. She also enjoys supporting children and teenagers to gain creative experiences through a variety of artistic mediums.
Karen
Karen is an arts educator, serial maker, and proud collector of fabric that she definitely has a plan for. With a degree in art education and a love of art, design, technology, and textiles, she is rarely far from a sewing machine (or at least thinking about her next project).
She runs sewing classes, delivers one-to-one sessions, and leads adult groups. Her sessions are relaxed, hands-on, and full of encouragement. Whether you are threading a needle for the first time or already speaking "fluent bobbin," there is always something new to try and probably a bit of unpicking along the way.
You might spot her elsewhere around Hexham, working in local schools or up at the Abbey ringing bells (because why not add campanology to the mix?). When she is not teaching, she is usually knee-deep in a project:
1. Quilting
2. Crocheting
3. Confidently starting something new before finishing the last three
4. Learning Turkish, one phrase at a time
She loves creating spaces where it is safe to have a go, make a mess, laugh at the wonky bits, and realize you are far more creative than you thought.
Pickle
coming soon!
It is our aim to create a warm and welcoming creative atmosphere here at Debbi's Doodles. We would love to welcome you to the studio. We do one-to-one sessions after school and at weekends for any age and ability. Message me to book your child's session.