Anita McGreevy

I have 12 years’ experience of working in this sector. Before CWP I worked at CSV Preston (a training division of a national charity CSV) for 5 years. This is where I met Steve, CWP’s founder and CEO, and we have been working together ever since.

I started as a Project Officer and worked my way up to Project Coordinator, then Quality and Performance Manager to my current role as Compliance and Operations Manager. As part of my role, I overlook policies and procedures, quality of service, and ensure contract compliance. I am very passionate about my job, and I truly believe in what CWP stands for and the opportunities it provides.

I completed BSc Degree in Economic Entrepreneurship in Poland, my home country, and I have Master’s Degree in International Business and Management from UCLAN.

My hobbies include travelling, cooking, watching crime dramas; but most of all I love spending my free time with family and friends.

Mark Barlow

After 6 years of happy, gainful employment at a sign writers me and a partner took the plunge and opened our own recording studio (West Orange, Preston). Self-employment was both rewarding and frightening.

I was head-hunted by a local FE college to do some teaching on their BTEC Music courses; that was my introduction to the world of education. I spent 20+ good years working at the college (in various jobs) until the music department was finally shut down. That’s when my time at CWP began.

I love the variety of activities I’m involved in, from helping students playing instruments and recording their performances through to video creation, editing and post-production… and a bit of brew making!

Outside of CWP music is still my hobby so I continue to record/produce for old friends. And when I’m not involved in music I enjoy long days out on my bike, touring the country lanes. And I still play 5-a-side football… but my knees are telling me that this should stop very soon!

Rachael Bennet 

I am the lead SENCO/EHCP Coordinator for CWP.  A position I have held for the past 9 months.  My role involves liaising with local authorities, parents and young people with EHCP.  I also oversee CWP sister charity, Preston Childs Play.  In my spare time I love to travel and attend amateur dramatics.

Zaynab Desai

I enjoy reading, travelling and spending time engaging in outdoor activities.

I attended Preston Muslim Girls’ High School and achieved 9 GCSE’S. In year 10, I also completed the Duke of Edinburgh award. I then went on to study Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and core Maths at Cardinal Newman College. After completing my A-Levels, I was unsure whether I wanted to attend university, so I decided to apply for jobs.

I now work at CWP in business administration. My role entails overseeing day to day operations such as keeping files up to date, helping the centre manager with paperwork, monitoring student’s attendance and answering any queries that people may call regarding. I like my position as it allows me to interact with both the lovely staff and students.

Molly Simcock

My role at CWP combines teaching and admin support. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, I work with students delivering Employability and Food Tech qualifications, which I really enjoy. I have recently taken an additional responsibility as an IAG officer, and I help young people decide on their next steps once they complete their course at CWP. I provide admin support for variety of projects including ESF, Youth Music and Erasmus. Additionally, I have just completed Safeguarding training and became one of CWP’s Safeguarding Lead Officers.

I have a degree in Business Management and Human Resource Management and I am currently working towards Assessors Award at CWP. I am also a part time wedding planner in Cumbria.

I enjoy going out with my friends and online shopping. I also own three horses which I ride and look after. I am a proud mother of a Lhasa Apso dog called Delilah who I enjoy walking with.

Debbie Milhench

I am the Maths Functional skills tutor at CWP, a job which I love!

Before working at CWP, I qualified as a teacher in 2004 and in this time, have had a variety of jobs in different settings, teaching in mainstream secondary school, FE college, SEN schools and alternative provisions. In 2019, I studied Psychology at Masters level to gain an understand of the application of psychology in education, leading me to develop a bespoke attitude to learning for each individual.

I love building relationships with our learners and getting to know them better, it’s amazing for me to be afforded the time to deliver 1-1 sessions that are tailored around an individual, finding out how they learn best and how to get the best outcomes for them.

I am looking forward to the opportunities offered at CWP and starting the training to become the Specialist Access Arrangements Assessor next year to expand my skillset and role in centre.

Pete Hall

Hi, I am the Media Tutor here at Creativity Works Preston. I have worked in the Training and Education sector for many years working with young people and adult learners on a variety of media and IT related projects.

My role at CWP is to deliver training and activities in media and art themed subjects including Photography, Animation, Film production, Graphic Design and Arts & Crafts. Through these activities I also support our learners to develop their life, employability and work-based skills. I am also an IQA for the centre which involves me in supporting other staff members in achieving the necessary assessing quality for all of our learners to achieve their qualification goals to a good standard.

My hobbies and interests include F1 Motor Racing, walking and training my dog in the local countryside, gardening, cooking and hosting dinner parties.

Nicola Batey

I’m part of the SENCO team at Creativity Works Preston. I have 10 years of experience in the early years sector and 5 years of experience working with families and their children as a family support worker and maternity support worker. I hold a BA Honours in Children, Early Years, and Education.

At Creativity Works Preston, my role involves identifying learner needs, creating plans, and making necessary adjustments. I liaise with parents and carers and collaborate with other professionals. I participate in organising and delivering EHCP annual reviews. I am also a nominated key worker to some of our EHCP learners, I also serve as a point of contact for colleagues, offering support and advice on identifying needs and providing suitable provisions.

I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working out at the gym, and going to the cinema.

Laura Dewhurst

After qualifying as a teacher in 2007 I taught in Primary education. I later moved on to teaching English and Maths to adult learners. In addition to this I have worked in Early years, managing a nursery. Before starting at CWP I ran my own small business for 6 years, working with young children and their families.

I started with CWP, in November 2024, as the English Functional Skills Tutor. I was drawn to CWP as I love their ethos and how they operate. I absolutely love my role here and working with a supportive and dedicated team.

Helen Noye

I am Hair and Beauty Tutor at Creativity Works Preston. My role is to train the students their basic skills in most aspects of the industry, while helping each student gain independence and build confidence.

I have 23 years’ experience in the Beauty sector and have trained in many areas such as nails, facials, spray tans, and micro blading. These are just a few of the qualifications I have gained. I enjoy all aspects of Beauty, but I specialise in nails, gel, acrylic, manicures and nail art.

When I’m not working, I spend most my time with my two boys doing fun activities, walking and paddle boarding.

Aalyia Vohra

I am a teaching assistant in the Creative Media department at CWP. Before I began working here, I had attended college to complete an extended diploma in Graphic Design, then worked at a men’s fashion business as an apprentice in Digital Marketing. My career change to the teaching route was abrupt but I have found that it was my real passion to pursue.

Here at CWP, I have a hand in renovating multiple spaces throughout the centre, as well as assisting Peter Hall in the Media department with delivering sessions/workshops. Outside of my work life my hobbies include, but aren’t limited to, art & design – particularly digital art.

I’m also a rather decent cook!

Charlotte Martin

I am a dedicated further education lecturer with a strong background in Theatrical and Media Hair and Makeup. I started working at CWP in January 2025 and I am loving my new role as head of Beauty.  

I’m proud to have helped a wide range of learners, including those with SEN and additional needs make real progress. I’m passionate about creating positive, inclusive learning environments and have developed my organisational and communication skills over the years. With over seven years of experience in the beauty industry, I specialise in makeup application and hairstyling for everything from theatrical performances to bridal, and other occasions.