Gaynor Smith

Creative Participation Specialist | Programme Designer & Facilitator | Bridging Community Engagement and Systems Change | Open to new opportunities

London, England, United Kingdom

About

When I was seven, I wrote to Blue Peter to tell them that I'd seen their programme about some people in the world not having clean water, and I wanted to help. I said I would put on a play with my friends, and we would charge everyone 20p to watch it, and I would send all the money raised to their campaign. It’s one of my favourite memories — I was already showing who I am: empathetic, creative, and driven to challenge inequality through storytelling and collective action. (It also suggests I wasn’t destined for a career in fundraising — I really should have charged more!) Since then, I’ve spent my life using creativity to explore systems of inequality, amplify voices, and help people understand each other and the world. I've co-designed learning experiences, developed toolkits, initiated and led cross-cultural partnerships. I have the ability to hold safe and trauma-informed containers for deep listening and connecting. Whether in a salaried role, freelancing or volunteering, I've built the agency of people who are up against additional barriers, working alongside them to shape systems. Globally minded, I’ve lived and worked in Burkina Faso and Mexico, delivered training in Canada, France, the Netherlands and Romania, and initiated projects connecting young people in the UK, India and Nigeria. I love assignments that bring ideas and cultures together, especially if they require me to use my language skills in French and Spanish. I've got a curious mind, which is always set in innovation mode - I can't switch it off! That means I'll always be the person to ask questions, see things from a different angle, and spark new ideas. That's not for everyone, but for organisations that want to evolve, it's gold!

Experience

  • Participation Worker (Maternity Cover) at The Children's Society
    Jun 2026 - Present · 2 mos

    Supporting young people with caring responsibilities in Armed Forces families to share their experiences and influence services, resources and policy. Facilitating participation activities, training and reflection sessions; gathering and analysing feedback; contributing to project reporting; and co-creating resources to improve support and recognition for young carers.

  • Drama Practitioner at Our Time
    Oct 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 10 mos

    Leading fun and inclusive sessions for groups of families in which the parents are living with mental illness. I design creative ways to encourage dialogue between parents and children about mental health, strengthening family bonds, and building skills in emotional regulation. Working with the children, I guide them using a range of methods including art, drama, song, poetry and puppetry to explore mental health and illness and process their experience as young carers. During the session we devise a short performance piece which is then shared with families. This role requires patience, flexibility and humour... and I love it!

  • Project and Design Manager at Steps Drama
    Aug 2022 - Jun 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Project managing the creation of bespoke behavioural change programmes, from concept to completion. Collaborating with clients to understand their challenges and aims for the work. Designing interactive programmes and writing scripts for drama on a range of DEI and Development topics. Casting actors, rehearsing and facilitating. Managing budgets and resources.

  • Creative Curator of City Lions Pilot Project and Project Manager of Carers Express at DreamArts Charity
    Jun 2018 - Aug 2022 · 4 yrs 3 mos

    City Lions: Enthusing young people in Westminster to access artistic and cultural opportunities in the local area by delivering workshops in collaboration with arts practitioners across a range of disciplines. Supporting arts institutions to become more accessible to young people Carers Express: Delivering bespoke youth led project for young carers in Westminster, providing a creative outlet for self expression, social connection and fun. Advocating on behalf of individuals and providing regular one to one holistic support to group members.

  • Short Breaks Practitioner at Kids
    Jul 2017 - Aug 2021 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Providing 1-1 support young people with disabilities helping them experience positive play and leisure activities within the local community. I have worked consistently with an autistic teenager for over 3 years, supporting him to develop personal skills and enjoy creative spaces in London, such as galleries and museums. We design our days out together based on his interests, and seek out opportunities which will stretch him and introduce him to new friends and experiences. Becoming a Short Break Practitioner with Kids was easily the best decision of my life - I really enjoy being part of his journey to independence.