About Us
Our purpose is to ensure that arts and creativity is accessible for all Blackpool communities.
Our vision
A strong, resilient local community consciously creates new narratives about the town that provoke, surprise and entertain audiences in Blackpool and beyond.
Our mission
To offer a social hub of regular, artist-led, creative opportunities, which improves lives of local residents and contributes to the local economy.
Our objectives are to
Inspire individuals to connect with their own creativity through a regular menu of artist-led socially-engaged arts activities.
Build a spirit of collaboration (not competition) with others to reduce barriers for communities to connect with quality arts programmes.
Support emerging creatives in their professional aspirations via regular development and employment opportunities.
Maintain a new hub of social connectivity and creative practice in the town whose core purpose is to make, support and programme diverse, exciting and challenging performance-based activity.
Work in partnership with other like-minded organisations to present introductory performative events designed to engage new audiences-for-life such as play-readings, community performances, youth theatre performances, scratch events, storytelling.
Promote an holistic approach to well-being through our programmes, decision-making processes and reflexive practices; centralising our stakeholders as decision-makers to ensure operational plans fit our participant, audience, artist and volunteers’ needs.
Maintain/Extend/Seek out partnerships with regional, national and international organisations and artists to ensure we are not operating in a cultural vacuum and that our communities’ needs are considered in the bigger picture.
Ensure robust evaluation of activities and learning actioned resulting in clear, enjoyable and effective work, making funding routes simpler and building a high-quality, recognisable brand.
Seek out new audiences and participation; building, clear, inclusive communications to support engagement
Generate income to support our aims to develop financial and organisational resilience.
Take time to reflect on and be informed by collaborations and feeding developmental learning into our core artistic programme to genuinely shift outcomes into new directions.
We strive for these through
Innovation; actively different from much of the commercial-entertainment offer currently available in the area but inspired by the local people, places and things we will engage in dialogue with other companies and venues regionally, nationally and internationally.
Illumination; responding to the needs of the local community, offering new light by which we see ourselves, the society we live in and the world at large; learning, self-expression and self-reflection and the connection between healthy mind, body and spirit are at the core of everything we do.
Opportunity; supporting the development of emerging artists as well as linking with established industry experts, all activities are offered at reasonable rates to locals and regularity of service ensures the growth of long-term relationships and a stronger creative community.
Our commitment to neuro-inclusion
We believe that our team’s strength lies in our differences. We proudly welcome, celebrate, and champion neurodivergent individuals—including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and all unique neuro-types. We know that the best work happens when people can show up as their authentic selves, which is why we are dedicated to providing an accessible, low-pressure environment for all ways of thinking and learning.
We recognise that natural neurological differences are an identity to be respected, not a deficit to be “cured.” Our goal is not to force anyone to conform to neurotypical standards, but to partner with you in achieving your personal goals, advocating for your needs, and honouring your authentic self.
We aim to practice the 6 Principles of Neuro-Inclusion in all our practices:
Communication: We use clear, explicit language, avoiding idioms or corporate jargon. We provide activity plans in advance, offer documentation in diverse formats, and respect individual language preferences (such as identity-first language).
Connection: We normalise workplace adjustments by inviting everyone to request them, ensuring no one feels singled out. We collaborate with you to support your unique learning and processing style.
Emotion: We foster a psychologically safe, low-pressure space, you are always welcome to stim, fidget, doodle, take breaks, or step out of the room at any time. Speaking is always optional, and written or alternative contributions are highly valued.
Flexibility: We offer flexible ways of working and support you to complete tasks in the way that works best for you, provided core objectives are met.
Structure: We remove ambiguity by making requirements, break structures, and communication methods explicit; breaking large projects down into smaller, structured milestones.
Environment: We actively reduce sensory barriers by offering noise-canceling headphones, designated quiet zones, and control over harsh fluorescent lighting through dimmable options or lamps. We are committed to continuously identifying and removing barriers in our environment.
Please feel free to engage in the way that is most comfortable for you—we are here to support your success.
Our leadership
The Old Electric is part of The Electric Sunshine Project* CIC (TESP) which was formed in July 2016 by Melanie Whitehead. Alongside Melanie, there are six other directors; Lesley Giddins (Acting Chair), Grant Sellars (treasurer) Rachael Slater, Paula Burdess, Sue Grindrod and Imogen Cardwell who meet quarterly. We seek to be informed by the needs of the local community and seek their advice and guidance via regular consultation, plus a pool of Associate Artists who bring with them a broad range of skills.
You can read more about our board below.
Director (Artistic)
Since graduating from Goldsmith’s College, University of London, with a BA (Hons) in English and Theatre Studies, Melanie has worked with young people in a diverse range of fields including for 8.5 years at the Royal Shakespeare Company and 4-years at the National Theatre for whom she oversaw regional learning partnerships for both War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. She has been an Educational Consultant for Touring Consortium Theatre Company, produced and directed Blackpool Grand Theatre’s first NT Connections Young Company projects and managed participation projects for NW organisations such as The Lowry, LeftCoast, Tameside Borough Council and Fleetwood Festival of Transport.
She has a Masters in Applied Theatre and Post Graduate Certificate in the Teaching of Shakespeare as well as a Chartered Institute of Marketing Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing. She has also been on the Board of Directors previously for Geese Theatre and the dukes, Lancaster.
In April 2013, she bought a derelict warehouse in Blackpool to turn into a family home and it was here that she used on street and desk based research to found The Electric Sunshine Project cic, a company inspired by the town’s historical connections to enterprising showcasing of creativity via the illuminations. In 2019/20 she led the organisation to taking it’s first home in The Old Electric through an ambitious Lottery Communities funding bid.
Melanie is currently studying part-time for her PhD with Lancaster University, researching the impact of ensemble-theatre-making activity on communities in Blackpool.
Director (Acting Chair)
Lesley has worked in the public and private sectors, specialising in community engagement, equality and diversity and employability. She has managed her own company for 15 years, working with major corporates across the UK, and is also a qualified wellbeing coach. She is an experienced trustee at national and more local levels, leading on governance and safeguarding. Lesley has worked with major corporate clients to develop community public arts projects concentrating on community engagement, is an advocate for the arts and a very enthusiastic football supporter.
Director
Rachael is a social impact leader, educator and community arts practitioner with more than 20 years’ experience working with people and communities across Blackpool, the Fylde Coast and wider North West.
Beginning her career in community arts, with early commissions including Barnardo’s and Styal Women’s Prison, Rachael went on to complete a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education and has since built a career spanning education, employability, youth programmes, community development and organisational leadership.
She has more than a decade of senior management experience, leading and mobilising large-scale government-funded programmes, developing new services, managing multidisciplinary teams and partnerships, and driving quality and continuous improvement. Her work has included National Citizen Service, National Careers Service, Restart and adult education, alongside extensive experience in programme design, business development, funding, governance and organisational change.
At the heart of Rachael’s work is a belief in the potential of people and places. She is particularly interested in how creativity, education, employment and strong communities can create meaningful social change, and in turning values and ideas into practical action and measurable impact.
Alongside her strategic work, Rachael continues to design and facilitate workshops for professionals, including leadership, values and vision. She brings together her experience as a teacher, facilitator and leader with an increasing interest in neuroscience-informed practice, organisational culture and what enables people to thrive.
Director (Treasurer)
Grant is a funding strategy and impact measurement adviser who has been working within the charity sector for the last 10-years. His recent experience includes being a Director at one of the largest YMCA’s in the country, overseeing researching and producing fundraising strategies, delivering significant revenue and capital fundraising campaigns, designing and implementing impact measurement frameworks, writing annual impact reports as well as a wide variety of compliance work. Previous to that he had a 23-year career in local authority rising to the position of Deputy Director of Leisure.
Director
Sue’s role in Blackpool is to drive forward the Town Centre and Tourism Business Improvement Districts, representing over 700 businesses. BIDs are defined by their geography and in Blackpool, the Town Centre BID is focussed on safety, security and environment and the Tourism BID is focussed on driving visitors to Blackpool to retain Blackpool as the UK’s no 1 seaside destination. Sue’s previous role at Tate Liverpool and Trustee of two arts organisations means she is keen to support locally based arts organisations. She is delighted to be a part of the board at The Electric Sunshine Project and enjoys supporting Melanie and her team to deliver their ambitions for Blackpool communities
Director
Imogen is a qualified nurse and a director for an Occupational Health business with over 25-years commercial and operational experience within the NHS and Private Health and Wellbeing sector. She is a driven, compassionate, and effective leader of people, delivering on targets and supporting business performance; a strong collaborator across all business disciplines, contributing critical thinking and purposeful strategy, with a proven track record of creating and sustaining a culture that embodies clarity, integrity, and authenticity.
Imogen was born in London, but has lived near Blackpool for over 30-years with a 9-year gap in Scotland as an RAF wife. She is a mother to two girls and three boys aged 16+ and has a young granddaughter. She’s always had a keen interest in the arts, and enjoys attending theatre, classical music events, gigs and galleries. Part of a community of queer creatives in Margate, where she spends time supporting her daughter and granddaughter, she approached The Old Electric to be part of a similar scene closer to home.
She is passionate about equal opportunities and access to the arts for people across the socio-economic spectrum and feels that she has gained so much from volunteering at TheOE that she is delighted to offer her professional skills to further support the project at Director level.
Director
Mark is an experienced leader in creative education and cultural development. As Curriculum Manager at Blackpool School of Arts, part of Blackpool and The Fylde College, Mark leads the development and delivery of higher education programmes in the creative industries, ensuring that courses are aligned with national standards, industry expectations, and the evolving needs of students and employers. His work focuses on fostering innovation in curriculum design, embedding emerging technologies, and maintaining strong links with the creative sector to prepare graduates for dynamic careers.
Mark is passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration across disciplines and supporting pathways that nurture talent in performance, visual arts, and media technologies. His commitment to education and community engagement is underpinned by a belief in the transformative power of the arts to inspire, connect, and drive regeneration.
Mark supports the organisation’s mission to champion creativity, empower local artists, and expand access to cultural experiences. He brings a forward-thinking perspective on skills development, industry partnerships, and the role of creative education in shaping vibrant communities.
Director
Madi relocated to the North from just outside Brighton and has since built a strong career in marketing, events, and brand development. She holds a degree from the University of Central Lancashire and a postgraduate diploma from Edge Hill University in Marketing Communications and Branding, bringing both academic insight and hands-on experience to her work.
She is currently the Marketing and Events Manager for a well-established hospitality group in Blackpool, overseeing a portfolio of venues across the town. Her role spans everything from large scale event planning to delivering more intimate, curated events, alongside leading on marketing strategy, content creation, and photography.
Madi is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging experiences that bring people together. She is particularly driven by opportunities to contribute to Blackpool’s cultural and social landscape, with a focus on making spaces feel welcoming, accessible, and representative of the community. Through her work, she aims to support initiatives that not only connect people, but also play a part in the continued growth and vibrancy of the town.
Director
Kieran studied Performing Arts at the University of Cumbria, graduating with a BA (Hons). He went on to pursue a career in stand-up comedy, touring across the North West and beyond, and performing multiple times at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
His comedy draws on his own life experiences, offering an honest and heartfelt take on growing up with a congenital heart condition, becoming one of the youngest people in the UK to receive a pacemaker, and finding humour in the unexpected. It’s a celebration of making the most of the hand you’re dealt and embracing life’s twists with optimism and laughter.
Today, Kieran runs his own comedy club, Small & Shouty Comedy Club, which has welcomed a host of fantastic comedians over the years. Among the highlights was hosting his personal favourite, the late, great Tony Slattery.
Our policies
We have Worldwide Full Civil Professional Indemnity Insurance up to £50,000 plus Public Liability Insurance for European Union up to £1,000,000 underwritten by Hiscox Insurance Company Ltd.
All members of TESP with regular/direct contact with young people hold a DBS certificate with online updates. Most practitioners have some form of First-Aid training and all are contracted to adhere to our Safeguarding and Health & Safety Policies. Practitioner information is available on request at point of contract.
Generic risk assessments available to view on request.
We aim to work within organisations and venues’ own policies and procedures.
*In 1879, Blackpool became the first municipality in the world to have electric street lighting – they called it ‘Electric Sunshine’. We are inspired by this ambition and seek to influence a new narrative about Britain’s best loved seaside town through innovative attitudes to arts.
Header image courtesy of CJGriffiths Photography.