Streets Ahead Collective is a Canterbury-based Community Interest Company (CIC) creating open, accessible creative spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds. We believe that creativity belongs to everyone and that when people are given space to create, connect, and be seen, communities grow stronger.
Our journey began in empty buildings.
With no funding and plenty of knockbacks, we were given our very first opportunity through the kindness and belief of others transforming unused spaces into places full of life, colour, conversation, and creativity. From those first six weeks in an empty café space, to the large-scale transformation of the former Currys building on Canterbury High Street, we have seen time and again what happens when creativity is placed at the heart of the community.
We formed Streets Ahead Collective CIC to create something stronger, more sustainable, and more lasting, a collective voice that could advocate for creative space and build long-term partnerships across the city.
Our work brings together people across generations and backgrounds through creativity, creating meaningful experiences that build confidence, connection, and belonging.
Liz Wellstead
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Liz is a creative director, educator and community arts leader with over 28 years' experience across art, design and creative education. She founded Streets Ahead Collective and Rock Paper Scissors in Canterbury to create welcoming spaces where people of all ages and backgrounds can make, learn, connect and belong. Liz believes creativity can be a powerful tool for building confidence, developing skills and opening doors to education and employment.
Miriam Ellis
Programme & Fundraising Manager
Miriam began her career in theatre as a wig and wardrobe manager, working across opera, musicals and arena tours including Strictly Come Dancing. She later taught production arts in further education while completing a First Class Honours degree in Fine Art. For nine years she worked at Catching Lives as Arts and Activity Coordinator, supporting people to reconnect with the wider community. In 2026, Miriam joined Liz to help grow Streets Ahead Collective.
Ceejay Bonner
Creative & Marketing Manager
Ceejay is a Kent based graphic designer and photographer with a First Class Honours degree in Visual Communication from UCA Canterbury. His career began in the music industry, shooting live events and designing for Creation Records and others across venues throughout the UK. He first met Liz at Canterbury College in 2020, and years later joined Streets Ahead Collective as graphic designer, photographer and social media manager, helping shape the organisation's visual identity.
Scarlett Ward
Social Media Contributor & Workshop Assistant
Scarlet is a 2D creative practitioner specialising in painting and printmaking, with Distinctions in both a Level 3 Art and Design Diploma and a Creative Professional Practice Diploma. She currently works with Brit Kids, supporting young people through creative activities. Scarlet is passionate about creating welcoming spaces where people can explore their creativity, develop new skills, share ideas and build confidence through making.
Lucy Stockwell
Fine Art Printmaker & Tutor
Lucy is a fine art printmaker and experienced educator specialising in etching, with a passion for traditional printmaking and making art accessible to everyone. With over 25 years teaching in further education, she has spent the past six years at Rock Paper Scissors and also teaches at BRIT Kids Canterbury. Part of Streets Ahead Collective from the very beginning, Lucy brings warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does, helping people of all ages and backgrounds grow in creative confidence.
Vicky Dyball
Printmaker & Tutor
Vicky trained as a Fine Art Printmaker before spending many years at Swarovski as a visual merchandiser, blending creativity with commercial presentation at a global level. Five years ago she joined Rock Paper Scissors as a tutor and today manages the RPS studio as well as being an important part of the Streets Ahead delivery team. What really sets Vicky apart is her natural ability to make people feel welcome and help them discover their creativity.
Duncan McKean
Master of Making
Duncan McKean is a lighting designer, furniture maker and upcycler based in Whitstable, Kent, and the resident lighting expert on BBC One's Money for Nothing. With a background in carpentry, joinery and interior architecture, he specialises in bespoke lighting, sourcing vintage and antique objects from across Britain and Europe and reimagining them as unique, functional pieces. His philosophy is simple: preserve the story and give forgotten things a new life.
Eppa Hummerstone
Administrator
Eppa brings a background in engineering consultancy and a love of a good spreadsheet. Since having her children, she has worked and volunteered across the charity and education sectors, building her administrative and organisational skills. For the past 18 months she has helped behind the scenes at Rock Paper Scissors, which led to her joining Streets Ahead Collective, where she puts the processes and structure in place that allow the team to thrive.
Tuesday-Ann Castle
Board Director - International Strategy & Development
Tuesday Ann is a Board Director and Senior Manager for International Strategy & Overseas Development at Eurostar Group, with extensive experience in global partnerships and international development.
Charlie Wilkie
Board Director | Chief Executive Officer, 3BL
Two-time CEO and former SVP at the Guardian and CRO at HuffPost, Charlie has held senior leadership roles across media and technology.
Anna Webber
Board Director | Higher Education & Creative Practice
Anna is a Board Director and former Head of Faculty for Higher Education, and is currently a practicing artist with eight years’ experience in governance within education.
Julia Joslin
Board Director | Education, Leadership & Finance
Julia is a Board Director and former Head of Business and Computing at Canterbury College, with extensive experience in education, leadership, and finance.
Our Community Panel ensures Streets Ahead is led by the people it serves. Made up of residents and community voices, the panel helps guide our projects, shape our creative direction, and make sure our work remains inclusive, relevant and rooted in real local needs.
Pam Watson
Pam is a gifted artist and has attended many of our workshops. She credits the creative sessions as an important part of helping her cope with a period of homelessness. Now housed she is keen to continue creating and having the opportunity to sell her work in the Streets Ahead shop and at our Pop-up events