Meet The Team
Sophie Beckinsale
Co-Director
Sophie is a Community Arts Practitioner who has dedicated her career to using the arts as a tool for inclusion, empowerment and social change.
Sophie has developed and delivered a wide range of creative projects across Oxfordshire and the Midlands, working with children, young adults and adults from diverse backgrounds. Her experience spans working with young people in schools, SEND communities and asylum seekers - delivering accessible drama workshops, sensory-friendly sessions, and inclusive storytelling projects. She also leads creative programmes around healthy relationships, consent, and online safety, often partnering with schools and safeguarding teams.
Sophie believes in the power of collaborative creativity and co-creation and is excited about the future of Project WordPlay.
Nicki Watts
Co-Director
Nicki Watts has nearly 20 years’ experience working with young people in educational and community settings through theatre and the arts. As an Applied Theatre Practitioner, project designer, director and charity leader, she is driven by a deep belief in the power and joy the arts bring to individuals and communities.
Nicki is thrilled to bring her experience and passion to the creation of Project WordPlay, sharing transformative creativity and joyful opportunities with young people and the communities around them.
Associate Artists
Diana Christie
Nicolette Glashan
Diana Christie
Diana is an applied drama and dance facilitator specialising in working with vulnerable young people and adults and in community arts. Diana’s style of facilitation supports all of her participants in using drama and dance to express themselves whilst gaining confidence and self esteem. Diana works a lot with Shakespeare, classic texts a
Diana is an applied drama and dance facilitator specialising in working with vulnerable young people and adults and in community arts. Diana’s style of facilitation supports all of her participants in using drama and dance to express themselves whilst gaining confidence and self esteem. Diana works a lot with Shakespeare, classic texts and dancing - and loves it when all these things come together!
Tom Cross
Nicolette Glashan
Diana Christie
Tom is a visual artist, animator and community arts facilitator, with over 25 years of experience using drawing, animation and participatory making to help communities tell their stories. At the heart of his practice is Visual Listening - using drawing as a tool for deep, non-intrusive engagement, transforming people's words, memories, a
Tom is a visual artist, animator and community arts facilitator, with over 25 years of experience using drawing, animation and participatory making to help communities tell their stories. At the heart of his practice is Visual Listening - using drawing as a tool for deep, non-intrusive engagement, transforming people's words, memories, and experiences into shared visual narratives while giving participants the confidence to express their own ideas. Tom has created community murals, led creative programmes, and worked as Artist in Residence with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust across five hospital sites. His collaborators include the Royal Shakespeare Company, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Natural History Museum. Trained at Central Saint Martins with a PGCE in Animation, Tom was also part of the team awarded the Royal Society for Public Health Health & Wellbeing Award in 2024.
Nicolette Glashan
Nicolette Glashan
Nicolette Glashan
Visual Artist