We are welcoming some new faces to our Adult Advisory Board in 2026. In doing so, we also want to say a hugely thankful goodbye to three crucial and long-standing Adult Special Advisors:
Firstly, we want to celebrate and say goodbye to the wonderful Richard Daws. He has been an incredible asset, sharing valuable business and financial insights, offering us honest and practical guidance since day one. He has been a positive and instrumental force in shaping Doorstep into what it is today and we are so thankful to him for all he has done for us. His insights into the world of local authority as a regional councillor have been incredibly important, and his industry know-how and business acumen has been vital in helping us make key decisions.
Next up is Nathalie Palin. What a total powerhouse. Nathalie went from working with us as an artist in the early days, lead-writing our original 2017 National Portfolio Organisation application (amongst many other bids over the years) and then made a formal commitment to join us as a Special Advisor on our Advisory Board. She has offered strategic insight, thoughtful reflections and sage advice on how to lead Doorstep in an ethical and grounded way. We honestly don’t think we would exist without her. Remember Nat, you can always ‘add another column’.
The final sad announcement is saying goodbye to long standing Special Advisor, Hugh Malyon. Hugh began with Doorstep as a young participant; graduated into working as a paid artist; and became a Special Advisor whilst also developing his career as an emerging artist freelancer. Hugh has been the most attentive, supportive and hands-on board member that anyone could wish for. He always supports the children and young people with events and sharings, provides valuable access support and guidance and troubleshoots challenges head on. When we send out papers and ask for board feedback, Hugh’s responses were always fulsome, detailed, thoughtful, and full of sound advice. He wasn’t afraid to question decisions or ask ‘why’ at key moments when we needed a board member to do so. We will watch his ongoing artistic career with so much interest, pride and belief. He is changing the industry and making some incredible art and it’s pretty awesome to witness.
All three of you will be deeply missed. Not just for your advice and guidance, but for your belief in the organisation, smiles, energy, and laughs along the way. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
All is not sad though, we still have the wonderful Alix Harris and Joy Zarine and together we are welcoming 5 new Special Advisors to the Board in an exciting new chapter. More details can be found here, but in short, we welcome the following:
Ana Laura Escalona Diaz
Ana Laura grew up in a children’s theatre group in Havana, Cuba, and has since been involved in a range of artistic projects as both performer and coordinator. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Havana. In 2019, she co-founded *Aprender es Divertido* in Havana, an initiative that supports children’s social and emotional development through the arts and provides guidance to their families.
In 2021, she received a Chevening Award from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to pursue a master’s degree in Creative Arts in Education at the University of Exeter. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), where she researches the role of the arts and embodiment in public spaces.
Beth Bowden
Beth Bowden is currently Participation Producer at the Almeida Theatre, where she leads a dynamic team delivering free, high-quality and participant-led creative opportunities for over 6,500 participants each year. As Creative Producer for Young Artist and Community strands, she oversees the Young Company, Community Trilogy project, Almeida For Free, and a range of outreach and audience development programmes designed in response to the needs of Islington and Greater London, including as Creative Producer on 81 (Life), which saw 81 local residents take to the Almeida stage in August 2025. She also supports youth voice through the Almeida Youth Board and mentors artists through the Almeida Makers scheme, nurturing the next generation of directors and designers.
Beth also works as a Director, Dramaturg and theatre-maker with a practice focused on interdisciplinary new writing and embedded participation. Recent directing work includes RIGHT OF WAY, which received five-star reviews at VAULT Festival as part of VAULT 5 and subsequently toured five South West venues with ACE funding, integrated creative captioning and delivered workshops for young carers. She is currently developing new work exploring Assisted Dying through Complicité Mudlarks and the Lighthouse Sanctuary Residency.
She makes and advocates for creative work that is research-based, responsive, and with equity, access and inclusion at its core. She hopes to continue to work as a reflective changemaker, shaping meaningful artistic and organisational strategy, and working collaboratively with artists, policymakers and communities across the UK.
Jon Waterworth
Jonathan Waterworth is a musician, performer, adjudicator, and senior music educator based in the South West of England. He is currently Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts and Music Specialist at St Cuthbert Mayne School and has built a career spanning professional performance, arts leadership, and education.
He trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating with a BMus (Hons) in Operatic Recital, before completing postgraduate performance training in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music. Jonathan’s professional performing career includes work as a backing vocalist for Chris de Burgh and Sarah Brightman on UK tours, appearances at the Diana, Princess of Wales Tribute Concert at Althorp House, and extensive work as a tenor soloist in major oratorio repertoire by Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Verdi, and Coleridge-Taylor. He has toured internationally with the Black Mountain Male Voice Chorus of Wales and performed at festivals including the Almeida Opera Festival and Battersea Arts Festival.
Alongside his performing work, Jonathan has held senior leadership roles in music and performing arts education across North Yorkshire and Devon, including Head of Performing Arts and Director of Music. He continues to perform semi-professionally, works as an adjudicator, and is a Special Advisor on the Adult Advisory Board for Doorstep Arts CIC. Jonathan is also a finalist for the Music Inspiration Award at the Music and Drama Education Awards, recognising his contribution to music education and his inspirational work with young people.
Jules Waddell
Jules Waddell is an entrepreneur, advisor and creative practitioner with a career spanning business, education and the arts. She was the founder of Moorish, an award-winning food brand, and now works as a University “Entrepreneur in Residence”, supporting early-stage founders and creative ventures to grow sustainably.
Alongside her commercial work, Julie has a long-standing involvement in theatre and community arts, and a particular interest in how creative practice builds confidence, agency and opportunity — especially for young people. Her work sits at the intersection of innovation, enterprise and education, and she brings a practical, people-centred perspective to governance and advisory roles.
Julie is delighted to join Doorstep Arts as a Special Advisor, supporting its mission to create meaningful, inclusive cultural opportunities across Torbay.
Sara Rhodes
Sara Rhodes is an experienced cultural leader and creative producer, specialising in large-scale, inclusive arts events, site-specific work, and community-led productions across theatre, live music, and dance. Her practice is rooted in enabling people from all walks of life to access and engage with high-quality arts and culture, working with communities including D/deaf people, adults experiencing multiple disadvantages, veterans, prisoners, young people from refugee, asylum seeker, and migrant backgrounds, the elderly, and, internationally, the Native American Wampanoag Nation.
A skilled networker, Sara builds strategic partnerships locally, nationally, and internationally. She has expertise in creative strategy, business planning, producing and co-producing, strategic programming, and fundraising. As CEO and Creative Director at Sterts Arts & Environmental Centre, she leads organisational growth and creative development, championing collaboration, inclusion, and opportunities for others to thrive.
Prior to this, Sara spent twelve years at Theatre Royal Plymouth in the Engagement and Learning department, later becoming an Associate Director as part of the Creative Leadership team. She is thrilled to join Doorstep Arts as a Special Advisor, bringing her experience in community engagement, co-creation, place-based practice, and CIC leadership.
We cannot wait to work with them alongside our the Youth Advisory Board, which welcomes two new members Martha and Gaby who will be joining long standing members Holly and Will. We are so excited to find ways to work together and finding ways for both Boards to connect leading Doorstep Arts into 2026 with strong leadership, resilience and change.