Mike Stanton at our Allotment Soup site (front left) with volunteer Saddiq and community gardener Bethan Pettitt (Photo: Rachael Barker)

Mike Stanton

Board of Trustees

I am a retired teacher. I taught at George Hastwell School in Barrow, which caters for children with learning difficulties. That was how I began my connection with Art Gene when Maddi Nicholson worked with us on a project to create artwork that celebrated the school’s diversity. When I retired from teaching in 2015 it was still hanging in the school hall. That was when I renewed my acquaintance with ArtGene as a volunteer with the Allotment Soup Community Growing Space.

When my son was diagnosed with autism I helped establish the Furness branch of the NAS and have served as trustee on the NAS Board the board of the Liberty Academy Trust, an offshoot of the NAS that runs three academy schools for autistic pupils.

My experience of community engagement as a teacher, my trustee experience and my commitment to diversity are what led me to apply to become a trustee with Art Gene.