OYAP empowers young people to make a difference to themselves and their communities through the Arts.
Our projects offer creative opportunities for young people in Bicester, Cherwell, Oxfordshire, and beyond, giving encouragement and support to those who have few chances to access art and culture. We work in partnership with other organisations and inspirational artists to create opportunities which develop young people’s creativity, confidence, employability and wellbeing.
We deliver a mixture of regular weekly activities, holiday sessions, and project funded work. Where we make a charge our fees are low and we offer free or pay what you can afford options as we believe our activities should be accessible to all.
We have taken on ‘meanwhile use’ of an old school building to create a vibrant venue for arts activities, and work closely with the town council to extend creative opportunities for the community.
We aim to involve young people in all areas of our work and to make their ideas a reality.
Our People
Donna Waterer
General Manager
Donna joined OYAP Trust in September 2017 as Finance Administrator and then General Manager in January 2019. She works on programme and fundraising initiatives, handles organisational finance, manages the team, and oversees compliance and venue management. She has worked for Pegasus Theatre and Modern Art Oxford, managing operations, resources and income, and has trained as an accountant. In a previous life she worked in brand management and business development.
"As someone whose path was fundamentally changed by the possibilities opened by art education, I believe this opportunity should be available to all young people."
Janine Shuter
Youth Programme and Office Coordinator
Janine started working for OYAP in November 2019, and felt at home right away. She makes sure our programme happens and that young people know about it. Having been a NEET young person, Janine developed her love for the arts because it allowed her to flourish. She took her first steps on an apprenticeship at Pegasus Theatre and has worked and volunteered at NCS, Trax, Barton Girls Group, Wolvercote Young People’s Club and Choices. She also has a degree in youth work.
Janine is also a producer and director for North Oxford Youth Theatre, and really enjoys supporting all young people to reach their goals.
Nicolette Glashan
Community Arts and Wellbeing Coordinator
Nicolette joined OYAP in spring 2022 excited to become more actively engaged in the creative community of Bicester. Her career is built on creating safe, inspiring environments for people to meet, network and learn, which has involved training and hospitality as well as community events and the arts. She is also a Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner, and her creative alter ego loves sewing, painting, lino printing and embroidery.
Nicolette is passionate about improving wellbeing through creativity and conversation, helping young people, families and her local community.
Sophie Beckinsale
Youth Arts Coordinator
Sophie organises and leads our Youth Theatre and looks after our Little Artists. She has worked with OYAP since 2019 including previous work with these groups, on holiday activities, and on Creative Minds and Kick Arts. She studied performance for community and education, and has worked with groups with additional needs. Her dream session would bring young people together with artists and learn together.
She loves providing a safe space to experiment and grow and firmly believes in the difference the arts can make to people’s lives.
Charneh Watson
Session Leader and Bicester Festival support
Charneh is working with our Youth Theatre, and helping us produce Bicester Festival 2023. You might also meet her leading a one off workshop. Charneh is a performance maker who creates whimsical, conceptual and choreographic work. As a facilitator she is interested in how the arts can make the world more human. She is also currently completing an MA in Applied Anthropology & Community Arts.
Dan Peters
Music Sessions Leader
Dan is based in Bicester and is excited about developing OYAP Sessions, a space for our community to get involved with music making and performance. He runs his own recording studio, production company and live band, and continues to tour with artists including Faithless, Rita Ora and Pendulum. He also teaches music production and performance at Buckinghamshire New University. He works in all aspects of audio from live sound to studio production, and has toured the world with a number of international artists.
DJ G
Session Leader
Gary Smith aka DJ G runs our DJing workshops. He has worked as a broadcaster, as well as a DJ on the international stage and has a worldwide fan base! He is also a great teacher and firmly believes that music will change your life for the better.
Paul Withers
Technician
Paul sorts out the lighting and sound when we have our own performances, and helps us with film and live streamed events. He has loads of experience as a sound recordist, camera man, video engineer and editor, and has worked with corporate clients as well as for arts and community organistations. He also helps us look after our building.
Serena Alagappan
Session leader
Serena is running our Creative Writing sessions. She aims to enable young people to feel empowered to express themselves through creative writing, and to help them find the confidence and tools to achieve this. She is passionate about the power of creative writing to positively benefit mental health, wellbeing, and sense of self. Serena is currently a Rhodes Scholar at The University of Oxford studying World Literatures. She has previously studied Social Anthropology at Oxford and Comparative Literature at Princeton.
