Annie O’Connor

Chair

Annie began her working career as a primary school teacher, having undertaken her teaching degree at UWE. Whilst undertaking her degree she developed a passion for social justice. This passion motivated her to go on to work, for many years, in homelessness and mental health agencies in Bristol. She helped to implement the first wave of the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Bristol in the 1990s and, whilst working at Missing Link, developed the first Rough Sleepers Resettlement Scheme for women rough sleepers with mental health needs in the city.

Later, she worked extensively in Further Education with learners with additional needs; supporting them to access and progress within education and supporting the college to make adaptations in order to facilitate this. She is passionate about inclusion in all areas of life and works to effect changes within organisational policies, practices and procedures, aswell as on the ground level. 

Dr. Suze Adams

Secretary

Suze Adams is an artist, writer and part time lecturer living in Bristol. She completed a practice-led PhD at the University of the West of England (UWE) in 2012 where her doctoral thesis explored belonging and the notion of ‘home’ in relation to the experiential landscape  (Location, Relocation, Translocation). Past exhibitions include: ViSiONA festival, Huesca, Spain; RWA, Bristol; Salisbury Art Centre, Wilts; Peltz Gallery, London; An Tobar, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland and MAMU, Budapest, Hungary. Suze is a member of the Visual Culture Research Group (UWE, Bristol), the Family Ties Network and Space Place Practice. 

Her work focuses on embodiment and multi-sensory experience, with particular attention to experiential time and memory. Her work is presented in the form of photographs, videos, assemblages/3D pieces and installation (and occasionally performance). She works from her studio in Bristol and exhibits work internationally.

Adrian Kitchen

Treasurer

Adrian initially studied Maths and Music at London University.  After gaining a PGCE he moved into teaching and taught maths in secondary education for a number of years before working in Further Education. Since 1999 he has worked at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College where his job involves working with students to improve their literacy, numeracy and study skills. Many of the students he supports are dyslexic or dyspraxic or have missed out on educational opportunities.

Recently he has qualified as a bookkeeper with IAB membership and now works part-time offering a self-employed bookkeeper service, as well as continuing to study book-keeping and accountancy. He is keen to support local micro-businesses and self-employed individuals.

Creativity has always been very important to Adrian and he continues to study and play piano.

Ria Davidson

Marketing & Communications

Ria is a bid and marketing specialist with a background in corporate and a deep passion for the creative. She supports our brand and communications, helping AIM to shine a light on the projects we do and the people we support. In her spare time she is a musician and runs a blog that focuses on mental well being in the creative space.

Chris Rose

AIM Artist and Participant Representative

Chris Rose is a visual artist who paints in a cartoon style using bright, vivid colours. He tends to make work from easily accessible materials such as cardboard. Recently he has branched out into 3D and installation.