The Pelican Team
Our members are the driving force behind our work. They are supported by a team with experience across education, care, project management, community development and the arts, bringing a wide range of perspectives and approaches to The Pelican Project.
Charlie
Founding Director, Facilitator
Charlie founded The Pelican Project in 2017. A qualified teacher, Charlie has worked across a range of mainstream and specialist educational settings, including within the Further Education department of an Exeter-based special school supporting young people transitioning into adult life. Here, Charlie led the development of sensory-based curricula for learners with complex needs.
The foundations of The Pelican Project were shaped through Charlie’s work in supported living and 1:1 care alongside people from the learning-disabled community. This direct support work continues alongside his leadership of the organisation and remains fundamental to his practice.
Alongside leading the organisation’s strategic development, Charlie co-designs and delivers projects with community partners and continues to facilitate across the wider Pelican programme.
Helen
People & Programmes Manager, Director
Helen graduated from the University of Bristol with a BA in Theatre, Film and Television, specialising in stage management. Alongside managing theatre productions during her studies, Helen’s university experience also marked the beginning of her work in outreach and widening participation through student ambassador and engagement roles supporting young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Following university, Helen worked as a Production Coordinator for Denham Productions, where she supported the delivery of television productions through scheduling, set coordination and compliance management. She later joined the University of Exeter as an Outreach Officer, developing and delivering programmes for young people from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented within higher education. Her work included the coordination of residential programmes, large-scale events and community partnerships across the Exeter area.
At The Pelican Project, Helen works as People and Programmes Manager, supporting the coordination and delivery of the core programme alongside the wider operational life of the organisation. Her role includes working closely with families, facilitators and partners to oversee programme logistics, communication, safeguarding processes and the day-to-day systems that support the wider Pelican community.
Emma
Lead Communication Ally, Project Manager, Facilitator
Emma is a qualified teacher with over 20 years’ experience across Special Education settings. Prior to joining The Pelican Project, Emma held a number of senior roles within post-16 special education, including Transition Lead at an Exeter-based special school, where she worked closely with families and multi-agency professionals to develop personalised transition pathways for young people moving into adult life.
Emma’s practice is rooted in person-centred approaches. Her experience and contributions within this field have informed published material and professional training resources relating to Special Educational Needs and Disability practice.
At The Pelican Project, Emma works across project management and facilitation within the core programme. Her role centres on strengthening the connection between policy and practice.
Emma is leading the development of our Affiliated Membership pilot, with a particular commitment to individuals who are often most excluded from meaningful community life.
Phil
Facilitator
Phil is a qualified English, Drama and Media teacher who has taught across a variety of secondary education settings. Alongside his teaching practice, Phil founded the theatre production company Four of Swords, delivering work across education, film, media and theatre.
Through Four of Swords, Phil has collaborated with a number of the region’s key cultural organisations and venues, including the National Trust, Exeter Phoenix and Exeter Northcott Theatre. His work has included teacher training, examination support and creative learning projects in partnership with exam boards including AQA and Edexcel. Alongside this, Phil has developed an extensive portfolio of community engagement work, including Four of Swords highly successful Film School programme.
Phil began working with The Pelican Project through the development of an inclusive drama-based workshop programme, which evolved from an initial pilot into a regular part of the wider Pelican programme. This work led to an ongoing creative collaboration with one of our members, culminating in the creation of Madame Thespia- an inclusive cabaret platform celebrating learning-disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+ and global majority performers alongside both emerging and established artists.
From his work with The Pelican Project, Phil has continued to strengthen the local theatre offer for learning-disabled and neurodivergent communities through the development of Ambitious Performers, a performance-based theatre company supporting individuals from the SEND community to write, create and perform their own original productions.
George
Facilitator, Director
George graduated from Camberwell College of Arts with a degree in Illustration & Graphic Design. Alongside a professional career in animation, film and television, George has a published illustration practice, with work featured in publications including The Sunday Times Style magazine.
George has held directorial roles across a number of acommunity organisations, including Double Elephant Print Workshop, Positive Light Projects and The Pelican Project. His work is deeply connected to Exeter’s wider arts and cultural network, with a longstanding commitment to community-led creative practice.
George has extensive experience facilitating visual arts projects with children and adults across a wide range of community contexts, including NEET students and refugees & asylum seekers. His practice spans both education and community engagement, with projects including National Lottery Heritage initiatives.
At The Pelican Project, George facilitates visual arts groups and creative projects, bringing together professional artistic practice with inclusive, relationship-led approaches to inclusion.