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Meet the team

  • Chris Farrell

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

    I joined AAM in April 2025 after over 20 years working across health and social care, working with communities, commissioners, clinicians and the public to ensure the best possible support for people, whatever they are facing.

    For me, the belief in an inclusive society, where everyone has the chance to shine, is fundamental. For as long as I can remember, I've played guitar, and it has taken me to places I could never have imagined.  But it remains deeply personal, somewhere I can find expression when I struggle elsewhere, and this is why AAM is so important to me.

    Working across AAM, I’m lucky to be constantly introduced to people and opportunities I find amazing and exciting. From taking part in a Movers and Shakers session, talking to one of our participants or family members, or asking others to get involved and work with us for a future that matters.     

  • Griselda Goldsbrough

    iMUSE Programme Manager - Wellbeing

    I’ve admired and championed the work of AAM for many years, so I’m absolutely delighted to have joined the team to support the iMUSE programme.

    As a visual artist and writer, my work has always centred around creativity and connection — especially in healthcare, museums, galleries and in the community. I’m also Art and Design Development Manager at York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust and St Nick's Art/creative Writing Eco-therapy lead as well as co-ordinating arts projects across the city. I’m passionate about the power of the arts to make meaningful change in people’s lives.

    I’m thrilled to be working on iMUSE, a space where music, movement and visual expression come together to create powerful moments of calm, connection and creativity. Supporting individuals to feel heard, seen, and relaxed is at the heart of everything I do and iMUSE makes that possible in such a special way.

    You’ll often find me surrounded by art materials encouraging creativity or capturing stories through images and words — always listening, always learning.

  • Kirsty Halliday

    Development Manager

    I started working with AAM as Development Manager in 2013 (and I've known and loved the organisation since 2004). I lead on fundraising and impact measurement and  I love getting the chance to tell people about what we do and the difference we make. 

    I've been involved in developing arts projects and organisations since 2004. I've been an Arts Development Officer for the local authority, Director of a youth music development charity, produced an award-winning community opera and worked on dozens of festivals and arts projects. Outside of AAM, I work with other arts organisations and charities on fundraising, impact measurement and strategic development. 

  • Hannah Hardcastle

    Programme Manager

    I first came to know and love AAM in 2008 when I had the opportunity to start volunteering with Hands and Voices through my Performance Music degree. I started to work with AAM on projects in 2011 and I haven’t looked back!

    My main role is Programme Manager for our learning disability projects, which means I work behind the scenes to make all our projects are fun and safe! I am a qualified Signalong Tutor so I train all our staff and freelancers (and anyone else who wants to learn to sign!) on sign-supported communication and all things accessible communication.

    Seeing the participants blossom in communication and confidence is so magical and this is why I love working with AAM and being hands-on with the projects. You can usually find me using intensive interaction alongside messy play or iMUSE and you can always find me singing and signing with Hands and Voices.

  • Pam Jackson-Vickers

    Finance Administrator

    I’ve had associations with Cube Media, and more recently Accessible Arts & Media, for around 25 years and have played a part in many of their projects. I've worked as their part-time Finance Administrator for 11 years and I bring with me more than 30 years’ experience in Financial Administration in both the Private & Public sector.

    During the last 15 years, I've also worked as a mentor, job coach and trainer on inclusive community, Higher Education and employment programmes

    I'm a keen amateur performer in and around York for many years and am actively involved in Rural Performing Arts, including  the York Wagon Mystery Plays.

  • Jodie Jordan

    Project Assistant

    I started working with AAM in the summer of 2022, having volunteered for the charity since January of that year. I've just completed my Masters in Community music at York University, which followed my Undergraduate Music Degree at the University of Sheffield in 2021. I became interested in Community Music throughout my time there, where I was struck by the power music had to engage and support people from all walks of life.

    As part of my Masters, I was able to understand a lot of the benefits that music can have on people. This can be anything from confidence to expression, independence to socialisation, and it's been a joy to work with AAM and see it first-hand.

    As the Project Assistant, I've met some brilliant people through our IMPs and Hands and Voices projects. As part of my role, I get to enjoy supporting our members in sessions. In addition to this, I am on hand to help the session leader with planning, organising and delivery. I’ve gained lots of experience whilst at AAM, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team that makes the amazing things we do happen!

  • Jenny Anderton

    Trustee

    I am an Occupational Therapist with a background in supporting disabled students in Higher Education. I am currently the Head of Student Access, Wellbeing and Support at York St John University.  I joined the board in 2023, but have supported AAM for many years, starting as a volunteer at Hands and Voices whilst completing my Occupational Therapy degree.

    I have a wide range of experience which I hope will benefit AAM, from implementing individual access arrangements for students all the way through to the strategic oversight, operation and development of university departments. My spare time is currently spent with my young children in various parks and playgrounds

  • Peter Baumann

    Trustee

    Peter is a digital producer and composer based in North Yorkshire. With a background in music and a passion for all things digital, his work has seen him collaborate with organisations such as Classic FM, Brass Bands England, Making Music, NYMAZ, Make Music Day, and many more — supporting many of these organisations as they navigated the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. 

    Peter serves as a councillor for his local community, is a trustee for the UniBrass Foundation (a charity which supports and promotes brass banding activities and public awareness at university level), and is also a member of the Selby Creative Drivers Group. With a passion for community work and increasing awareness, resilience and access to the arts, Peter is excited to have joined the board of AAM, and looks forward to helping the charity in its mission to make arts and creativity accessible to all.

  • Mike Cross

    Trustee

    I have been involved with various AAM projects since about 2005 when my Daughter started attending IMPs. She is still involved and now attends Hands & Voices as well as Movers & Shakers. Over the years I have been so impressed by the care and professionalism displayed by the wonderful AAM team that when I was asked to consider joining as a Trustee I jumped at the chance.

    My background is in the construction industry and presently I work with the Department of Education as a Project Manager building new schools across the North East. I am hoping that some of my professional skills will be of benefit to AAM. My spare time is usually taken up with DIY projects and battling weeds in the garden.

  • Lucy Galliard

    Trustee and Chair

    Lucy is the Chief Executive of Sinfonia Viva, a chamber orchestra working throughout the East Midlands and beyond. She has previously worked as the Director of Learning & Engagement at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and has held various roles at Live Music Now, a national charity supporting emerging professional musicians across all genres of music and enabling people who were least likely to be able to access high quality live music to have performances and creative workshops in their schools, day centres, care settings and hospitals.

  • David Martin

    Trustee

    My daughter is non-verbal but loves to express herself through music and making noise. We discovered AAM through the IMPs holiday clubs, which she loved, so we started attending Senior IMPs regularly. I’ve been so impressed with how the team create a relaxed, happy, creative space, where you can see young people visibly grow in confidence and social skills from week to week. So I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support AAM as a trustee and hope that I can bring a parent’s perspective to the board.

    My background is in writing, media and music. I was a newspaper journalist for 20 years, starting as a trainee reporter on the York Press and finishing as chief features sub-editor for the Yorkshire Post. I was also a staff writer for Aesthetica Magazine in York and helped promote arts events including the ASFF film festival and Aesthetica Art Prize. 

    I originally came into journalism through writing reviews and features about live music, and I also played a lot in local bands in my younger years and still dust off the guitar or the bass whenever possible.  After leaving newspapers, I joined the Civil Service and have since worked in communication, engagement and stakeholder management roles for the Ministry of Defence and the Cabinet Office.