Meet The Team | The Offshoot Foundation

Meet the patrons

Meet the Chief Executive & the Board of Trustees

MEET THE FACILITATORS

Meet FUNDRAISING & ADMINISTRATION

Paul Press

Paul's favourite film is Amelie.

Paul is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Foundation. He has been in the Film & Television Industry all his life, working both in front and behind the camera. In 2008, he started the first young people’s film-making group, which quickly grew into the Foundation, achieving charity status in 2015.

In Paul’s role as Chief Executive, he works alongside the Board of Trustees in writing funding proposals, working on policies to do with safeguarding and first aid, along with a whole heap of other things! He works with young people to help design the workshops, and understand new and exciting ideas that young people want to see from the Foundation. 

Since 2015 the charity has grown each year due to the hard work of Paul, James, Trustees and the 40 ex-young filmmakers who return every year to help facilitate the workshops, passing on their knowledge in the TV and Film industry culminating in over 50 workshops in 2022 alone.

Dr. Paul Nicholas

Paul's favourite film is Ace in the Hole.

Paul’s background includes 30 years’ experience as a sound recordist, various posts as an applications specialist in the scientific instrument sector and conducting research on liquid crystals and instrumentation development.

Latterly, Paul collaborated closely with schools and colleges throughout Suffolk on behalf of the Suffolk Education Business Partnership to promote science and engineering.

Now retired, Paul is delighted to hold the position of Chairman for the Offshoot Foundation.

James Mckellar

James's favourite film is Ace Ventura.

James started working with the Offshoot Foundation in 2019 in conjunction with his Senior Campaign Marketing Manager role at our partner and sponsor Videndum Production Solutions.

James brings experience from holding marketing roles in number of multinational companies together with his business degree and chartered institute of marketing qualifications. James work’s on developing our new website, attending workshops and outreach in the local community to help elevate the status of the charity and make sure we’re getting the right awareness and support in local communities.

Paul Brown

Paul's favourite films is Jaws.

Director of Strategy and Primary Care in the NHS. An award winning health tech innovator and Director of Product Development at Virt Turi, a cutting edge Suffolk Based clinical avatar and AI healthcare company.

Paul has served for over a decade as the finance trustee on the board of trustees for The Offshoot Foundation. His financial expertise has been instrumental in supporting the foundation’s mission. Committed to improving healthcare accessibility and quality, Paul’s dedication to his professional and philanthropic endeavors underscores his desire to make a meaningful difference in the community.

Ann Cloke

Ann's favourite film is Vertigo.

Ann spent many years working in the public sector on funding for education and training, finishing by working for the Suffolk Education Business Partnership. Here she worked on a number of different initiatives including managing the STEM Ambassador programme across Suffolk, promoting STEM subjects and linking employers working in science, engineering and maths with schools. Whilst there she met Paul Press and was invited to join the Offshoot Foundation Board of Trustees in 2013.

As the work grew she took over responsibility for Safeguarding to ensure the necessary policies and procedures are in place and followed. She is delighted to see how, under Paul’s guidance, the Foundation has grown from strength to strength and to see how young people benefit from the opportunities it provides.

Nadia Lines

Nadia's favourite film is Kung Fu Panda.

“Hi! I’m Nadia. I love helping young people find their voices and develop their skills. I’ve just completed a Master’s degree in Creative Writing, so I love hearing the incredible stories and characters that our workshop participants create! I’m passionate about expanding access to creative opportunities for young people, and I love how Offshoot raises aspirations and encourages kids to have big dreams for their futures.”

Aimee Lindsell

Aimee's favourite film is Napolean Dynamite.

Aimee is a Lecturer, Director and Theatre-Maker with over 16 years’ experience creating and delivering drama, film and theatre projects. She loves helping young people find their voice, think outside the box and bring bold ideas to life. Her cat Bigfoot is her toughest critic.

Ashley Stafford

Ashley's favourite film in Captain Phillips.

“Meeting and working with you has changed my life. I never thought I would amount to much and was told that by many people. You showed me that with commitment and hard work, I can achieve. Thank you for showing faith in me and giving me a focus in life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.”

Hannah Tatum

Hannah's favourite film is The Greatest Showman

“I love working for the Foundation. I enjoy working with different children, getting to know them, and seeing their development throughout the workshop, is one of the best parts of it! Helping the children with their ideas, then seeing them having fun while creating their projects is so nice to see.”

Zara Frost

Zara's favourite film is Fantastic Mr. Fox.

As a facilitator, inspiring and encouraging the children is a very rewarding feeling. Seeing them progress from wanting to work independently, and stay quiet, to gaining the confidence to make new friends, work in a team, and be unafraid to voice their ideas is amazing.
Providing them with tools and knowledge, then giving them artistic freedom, their creativity knows no bounds, which is a wonderful thing to see. It’s great to inspire the children, and be inspired in return.”

Mia Urwin

Mia's favourite film is Everything Everywhere All At Once.

“I’m Mia, I’m originally from Colchester, and am currently studying medicine at university. For me the best thing about working for Offshoot is seeing every child realise that film making is something they can do- it’s so nice to see a change in confidence over the course of the workshops.”

Evie Press

Evie's favourite film is the Muppet's Christmas Carrol.

“I’m Evie and I’ve been with Offshoot for 13 years now- first as a student and now as a facilitator. I love working with Offshoot, not only to develop my own leadership, communication and technical skills, but because I get to watch the young people learn the exact same skills. A young person can flourish so much in just a week, and to be able to support and facilitate that growth in confidence is such a wonderful thing! Whether you want to learn about the industry, develop your soft skills, or just be creative, I highly recommend getting involved with the Offshoot Foundation in any and every capacity!”

Lucy Molnar

Lucy's favourite film is The Emperor's New Groove.

“Hiya! I’m Lucy, owner of two cats and member of Offshoot best known for asking questions like “which shape of pasta would you be if you could choose?” It’s always a joy to encourage our workshops to think outside the box and see what creative ideas they have brewing. We love seeing what they come up with!”

Lee Gilliand

Lee's favourite film is Jaws.

I’m a filmmaker and storyteller with a passion for imaginative, hands on creativity. I’m currently developing the stop-motion/Live action film, Lonely Stick of Dynamite, and I love collaborating with others to bring ideas to life.

Jamie Sacco

Jamie's favourite film is Kill Bill.

Hey, I’m Jamie but everyone calls me Jam! I’m a creative practitioner with a focus on video editing and directing, though I love getting involved in every part of filmmaking, from acting and cinematography to production. My all-time favourite film is Kill Bill – I’m a sucker for anything over-the-top, action-packed, and fast-paced.
Outside of filmmaking, I co-run a production/promotions company called SOUP, where we shine a spotlight on local artists through our live cabaret shows. We also create original media projects, including our upcoming sitcom series THE BOWL.

Louie Rider

Louie's favourite film is Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Louie has taught media and film at college level for the last 5 years. He also LOVES making short films and specialises in sound design! Some of his recent projects involved working with Aardman academy alumni and making a documentary about the telescopic ladder (more interesting than it sounds, promise!).

James Elcome

James's favourite film is Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

I have been passionate about filmmaking from a young age, creating my own films and developing my skills over time. I went on to complete a certificate in Film and Television, which led to my first role at a local production company. From there, I built a successful freelance career in camera operation and assisting. Throughout my career, I have worked across a range of projects, including feature films such as Inspector Gadget 2, television series, and commercial work for leading London advertising agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi. I am a passionate cinematographer / filmmaker with a deep love for visual storytelling. I draw inspiration from many films, with one of my favourites being Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Catherine ORRIN

Catherine's favourite film is Last Christmas.

Cath’s background includes 25 years’ experience within Primary Education- teaching and Leadership roles across whole school, KS1 and KS2 phases. Predominantly, Cath’s expertise lie in supporting children’s development within the English Curriculum and Upper Key Stage Two.
Cath has collaborated alongside The Offshoot Foundation for the last ten years, developing creative ideas and scripts for Year 6 and their end of year group films – one of the most memorable moments for the pupils. She has seen first hand, the difference made through the power of film and the Foundation’s clear expertise.
Joining as a Trustee, Cath is delighted to continue collaborating with such a valuable charity and supporting the safeguarding of all young people involved as the charity grows.

Kieran Waters

Kieran's favourite film is Inception.

Having attended some of the charities workshops between 2013-2016, and gone on to be one of the charities facilitators for a few more workshops, Kieran then moved to study Broadcast Engineering at university. Currently he is working for a global media and technical facilities provider, working on numerous different TV broadcasts worldwide.
Kieran hopes that through his time with the charity he can strengthen it’s ties with those that it has helped to develop, to bring their pathways and experiences back into the charities work, and to harness the ever growing power of it’s alumni.

Claire Abbs

Claire's favourite film is The Princess Bride.

Claire started working with the Offshoot Foundation in May 2024. Claire has been supporting the organisation to find relevant grant opportunities and draft applications, to help bring in the funding needed to deliver the charities various projects and workshops.
Claire has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years and held a wide range of business development and senior leadership roles in various Norfolk and Suffolk charities. Claire now works fulltime as a freelance Trust Fundraiser for charities and social enterprises across the UK.
Away from work, Claire is an enthusiastic gardener and also loves powerlifting, having recently won her first powerlifting competition.

Corinne West

Corinne's favourite film is E.T.

As the Senior Administrator at The Offshoot Foundation, she is passionate about bringing efficiency, creativity, and a positive spirit to everything she does.
With a background in administration and a love for supporting meaningful causes, she is excited to help the foundation grow and make a real difference.
Outside of work, she is a big film fan – especially 90s slasher classics like the Scream trilogy. She also has a soft spot for timeless, heartwarming films like E.T., which reminds her that a little bit of magic is always possible.

Amelia Stephanides

Amelia's favourite film is Peter Pan.

“I’m a creative director specialising in producing, writing, and acting. As the Founder/Producer of SOUP Promo, and the lead singer of Amelia & The LoveFools. I’m committed to empowering local artists and creating spaces where new work can thrive. I’m a versatile creative practitioner building a career across acting, music, writing and production, driven by a genuine passion for the arts and keeping accessible to all.
I love making films because I’m drawn to creating worlds and stories that people can step into places that feel alive, imaginative, and meaningful. My favourite film is the 2003 live-action Peter Pan. The magic created in that film is unmatched ”

Reuben Van Tankeren

Ruben's favourite film is Mulholland Drive.

“Hello, I’m Reuben! I studied film at university and I cannot wait to teach the filmmakers of the future skills I learnt when I was younger. Working with people from all walks of life is an amazing and fulfilling experience.”

Samantha Sewell

Samantha's favourite film is Wall-E.

Hello! I’m Sam, I’m an autistic and ADHD artist with a degree in Fine Art. I’m really passionate about neuro-inclusivity, and I think the arts in particular can be such a wonderfully flexible field that welcomes all neurotypes. I love to encourage the use of creativity as a way to express both our unique and shared perspectives, and to connect with others through collaboration. I endeavour to create a safe space where every idea is worth exploring, people feel confident enough to express themselves without inhibition, and collaborative & encouraging communication is fostered between peers.

Henry Wolff

Henry's favourite film is Little Miss Sunshine.

I am a filmmaker with an interest in environmentalism, community impact and heritage crafts. I enjoy camping, forest walks and long distance running. I have a Filmmaking BA from the University of the West of England in Bristol, where I built my video production business alongside my studies. I am now working freelance as a lighting camera operator, using my cinematography skillset to create meaningful work for purpose-driven organisations.

SarA Rawlinson

Sara's favourite film is Little Miss Sunshine.

Sara Rawlinson is a multi-award-winning contemporary photographer specialising in abstract fine art and heritage architecture. With a background in academia teaching seismology and natural hazards, her work is heavily inspired by landscapes, textures and the changing natural world. Alongside photography, Sara curates exhibitions, builds websites and publishes books. Her work has been recognised internationally and featured in both private and public collections worldwide. Based in Cambridge, Sara brings a thoughtful, creative and collaborative approach to all of her work with young people and the arts.