Who's who?
Founder of Arts In Action . Director of Arts In Action CIC. Freelance Artist and Educator
Heidi Pendergrast
​I hold a BA (Hons) in Visual Studies (Multi-disciplinary) from Norwich University of the Arts, and completed my Postgraduate Teacher Training (PGCE /MEd) at Cambridge University (Homerton – Faculty of Education). I have over 20 years’ experience teaching young people aged 11-18 ( I'd like to think I don't look old enough for that to be true!) and was part of a small founding team that helped establish a successful new secondary school from the ground up.
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My professional background includes extensive experience working with diverse needs in a responsive way with many SEND learners, neurodivergent young people, and children who are care experienced (LAC), as well as working abroad in Africa and war torn regions. I now specialise in socially engaged and community-based arts practice and targeted responsive educational facilitation. I am a Lead Artist with Friction Arts (NPO) and have recently delivered several community commissions for Warwickshire Libraries (NPO) for regional and national projects , Warwickshire Arts & Heritage (Public Health funded), Arts Connect and The Reel Store and was one of the delivery partners for the 'Our Freedom 80' National project which will tour the UK in 2026 starting at the Southbank Gallery in London.​
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Alongside this, I am a practising mixed-media artist—I like to get my hands dirty. My personal practice is diverse and is either focussed on subtle narratives using ceramics, printmaking and mixed media, exploring themes of faith, human narrative, hidden stories, text and poetry and nature or is based in socially engaged and art-activism . This work is typically experimental and installation-based, frequently co-created with the public, often on Taboo topics and often incorporates textiles, archival material, mixed media and text. Recently, I was awarded Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) funding from Arts Council England to develop a new body of work exploring the intersections of art ,faith, nature and text . The pilot collection was exhibited and sold at The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, where I was also awarded a sculptural prize.
At the heart of everything I do is a passion for creativity, people, connection and human narratives. I try to truly see people—to value their stories, their differences and what makes them who they are—and to encourage them to be brave enough to take sometimes scary steps into their futures. I am neurodivergent and live with an unseen neurological and physical disability. I choose to work through these limitations and try to empower others with similar experiences to recognise their own capabilities, confidence and potential.
Don Pendergrast
Director ( Compliance & Finance Advisor ) Volunteer- Unpaid.
Don is an internationally recognised agricultural scientist and manager. He has spoken at the European Parliament, appeared on BBC News, and presented at numerous international conferences.
Don has served on the boards of several charities and has helped establish a number of charitable organisations in both the UK and Africa, supporting a wide range of communities and causes. He also served for several years as Chair of Governors at a local school, bringing strong leadership, strategic oversight and a commitment to education. He has lived experience of ND and is a SEND / ND parent.
Hayley Eaglen
Director (Deaf / Disability Advisor and Books In Action - Delivery ) Volunteer- Unpaid.
Hayley is a qualified teacher and Mum to a very creative and inquisitive home-educated child. She is developing the 'Books In Action' project and is passionate about accessible, fun, relevant creative education. Hayley has a History and Religious Education degree and has worked as a teacher in 11-18 education but left due to experiencing a broken system. She also works in the care industry with Disabled individuals. She is passionate about bringing more creative , cross curricular and holistic education opportunities to the East Coast area. She has lived experience of disability and deafness and neurodiversity.
Jayne Rose
Director ( Policies/Compliance) Volunteer- Unpaid
Jayne is a talented administrator and brightens up any room. She is diligent and trust worthy and is a new member on our board of directors. She is married to James.
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Support Artist
Bethany Sweatman
Elly
Admin Assistant
Bethany has a Ba in Fine Art and is a mixed media artist. She also is training to be a specialist SEND and Disability Art teaching assistant so she can get her 2 years experience to get a place on a post-grad degree for Art Therapy. She has worked on AIA projects for 3 years during her degree, and is also a previous student!
Elly is our part time administrator, she is a Home-ed mum to 2 teenagers and has her own Freelance Admin agency.
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Maarriyah Jamil
Support Artist
Maarriyah is a keen artist with a degree in History and Archiving, she has worked with AIA for 3 years on long term tenders. She has lived experience of ND and VI. She is also a previous student!
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Support Artist
Maya Evans
Support Artist
Alison Hendry
Maya is a mixed media artist who has a Ba in Film, Media & Production from Bristol. She works in Social media and Marketing and has freelanced on several AIA projects over 3 years whilst studying for her degree and recently made a film with us. She is also a previous student!
Alison has worked on AIA projects over the last 2 years, she is in her final year at Saint Martins studying for a fine art degree. She has been accepted on to teacher training next year for Art and Design Technology. She is also a previous student! Alison has lived experience of Dyslexia and ND.
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Kam
Super-sorter-outer-er
of mess !
Support Artist & work experience
Reuben
Reuben is a mixed media artist and photographer who is studying for his A-levels at AIA and is also at college doing a Btec in Architecture and 3d design. He helps in workshops as a technician and completes his work experience with us. He hopes to join an architecture degree in 2027. Reuben has lived experience of Dyslexia and Neuro-diversity.
CommUNITY Voice :
Panels
In 2025 we introduced community voice panels. There is one for community members who experience Disability , Neurodiversity and SEND, one for Teenagers, and one for parents . We always try and involve participants and the community in planning and programming, making sure we fit needs and are giving ownership of their pathways. We have listened to the things people wanted and have begun to try and find funding to cover some of the additional programmes needed. We are hoping soon some of the children and young people will add to a page on the website and introduce themselves! Watch this space. You can also join our What's app community, where we post, gather info and add polls.
WHAT DOES AIA DO ?
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Arts in Action CIC & Arts in Action: Education
Working together for GOOD!
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Arts in Action CIC: Communities & Social Action
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Arts in Action CIC delivers free, community-focused and socially engaged arts projects, including art-activism initiatives. Our work is self-generated or commissioned through competitive tenders from a wide range of partners, including other arts organisations, county councils, public health teams, universities, libraries, schools, SEND organisations and charities.
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We specialise in theme-based and responsive projects rooted in community voice, co-creation and lived experience—ensuring participants are not just involved, but genuinely heard.
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Our work particularly supports individuals and communities experiencing disability, neurodiversity, SEND, mental health challenges, adverse life experiences and poverty.
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We provide work experience opportunities for internal and external learners including those with SEND and Disability.
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Arts in Action CIC is actively seeking funding to expand our free community programmes, enabling us to reach more targeted groups currently on waiting lists.
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Arts in Action: Education ( by Heidi)
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A full Home Education Arts Programme, delivered face-to-face and online. We offer both thematic projects and structured skill-building pathways for ages 4–16, including: unschooling pathway or EYFS–KS2, KS2–KS3, Pre-GCSE, Full GCSEs and A-Levels in Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Textiles and 3D Design
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Private 1-to-1 tutoring (Levels 1–3)
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Arts education consultancy, including curriculum design, resources, programmes and schemes of learning for schools, galleries and museums
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Art and Faith workshops and projects, including single-faith and multi-faith work
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Adult Art sessions​
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Our Story ...so far....
Our
Story so far......
About Arts in Action CIC
Arts in Action was founded in 2022 by Heidi Pendergrast, following more than 20 years working in mainstream education with young people aged 11–18.
Before moving into community-based work, Heidi was part of the small team that established a brand-new secondary school in a highly deprived area. Unusually for many schools, the Head strongly championed the Arts, allowing space for the creation of a robust and thriving art department. Within this environment, boys achieved exceptionally well, disadvantaged students outperformed their peers, and SEND and neurodivergent learners consistently attained results far above national averages and their targets.
It is a particular privilege that several former students from this department—now university graduates—have gone on to work with Arts in Action as artists and facilitators.
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Our Approach
Heidi specialises in responsive teaching and learning, creating safe, calm spaces where every child and young person is seen, valued and supported. She brings both lived experience and extensive professional knowledge in working with children and young people who experience disability, SEND, neurodiversity and specific learning differences (SpLD), as well as those who have faced adverse life experiences including school-based trauma, war and displacement, or time in care (LAC).
Arts in Action was born from seeing too many precious children—including Heidi’s own—fall through the gaps of the current education system. It was created in direct response to this need: to provide inclusive, high-quality creative and educational opportunities for those outside of ‘traditional’ schooling, where difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to thrive.
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Growth & Impact
Within weeks of launching, Arts in Action was awarded multiple educational and community commissions and tenders. The educational programme grew rapidly, particularly supporting children and young people who are neurodivergent, have SEND, live with disability, or have experienced exclusion from mainstream education.
In 2023, Arts in Action became a Community Interest Company (CIC). Alongside this, a sustainable sister educational programme was developed, helping to fund and support the CIC’s wider community work.
Our projects are designed to reach people who are often marginalised or unheard, offering opportunities to explore creativity, wellbeing and self-expression. Our aim is simple but powerful: to lift eyes and lift voices—while building confidence, skills, aspiration and clear pathways for the future. This is especially vital for those affected by disability, SEND, neurodiversity, poverty and adverse life experiences.
Partners and commissions
Recent organisations that have commissioned Arts in Action CIC, or with whom we hold long-term tenders, include:
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Warwickshire Library Service (Arts Council England NPO) – multiple commissions, including work contributing to the national Our Freedom 80 project, touring nationally from London in 2026
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Friction Arts (NPO) – funded through Children in Need and the Youth Investment Fund
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Arts Connect
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Warwickshire Arts & Heritage and Public Health
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Warwickshire County Council
Individually, Heidi was awarded Arts Council England DYCP funding (2023–24) to develop a new ceramics portfolio. This work was exhibited at The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in 2024 and sold in full. She has also been awarded a Community Entrepreneurs Booster Grant from The Lions to fund an administrative assistant following a 12-month development programme.
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Who we work with
Arts in Action CIC works with people from all walks of life, often connecting with those on the fringes of society. We engage with individuals of all abilities and disabilities, faiths, cultures, languages, genders and identities, from ages 2 to 92.
We are particularly experienced in working with people who are neurodivergent, have SEND, or come from vulnerable or chaotic backgrounds. We also have experience delivering creative work internationally, particularly in Africa.
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Expanding our reach
In 2025, we launched two additional locations: a new base in Nuneaton, and a Home Education partnership programme at Friction Arts, Birmingham. More recently, with the support of Centric Properties, we have secured a significantly larger venue at the Skydome, Coventry, enabling us to expand our provision and reach even more people.
All current work is self-funded through commissions and our sustainable education programme. However, demand continues to grow, and we hold extensive waiting lists for free and targeted sessions. Arts in Action CIC is now seeking additional grant funding to expand this crucial provision. If you would like to support our work, we would love to hear from you! We would welcome a patron onboard and any businesses that would like to sponsor work or individual places for children in need.
Education provision
If you are here to find out more about our education programme, please explore the relevant tabs for detailed information.
In summary, we provide inclusive art education for learners aged 2–25, including GCSE and A-Level pathways in Fine Art, Textiles, Graphic Design and Photography. We offer both face-to-face and work-from-home options, and partner with Tutors & Exams (Coventry) for examination entry, with learners receiving a 12% reduction in exam fees.
Our results consistently exceed those of most private schools.
Results snapshot:
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2024: 100% Grade 9 in Photography; 100% Grade 8–9 in Fine Art
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2025: 100% Grade 9 in Graphics; 100% Grade 9 in Textiles; 100% Grade 6–9 in Photography and Fine Art, with 87% Grade 9s across all endorsements
This represents an immense achievement for our learners—many of whom were previously told they would not achieve beyond a Grade 2. Each year, between 87–100% of our learners experience SEND, neurodiversity, disability, visual impairment or mental health challenges.
Supporting schools and alternative provision
We are developing strong relationships with PRUs and Alternative Provisions (APs), and welcome enquiries from schools or services seeking targeted learner support or staff CPD.
We also provide curriculum advice and development support for departments aiming to improve uptake, raise attainment—particularly for boys, pupil premium and SEND learners—or for smaller departments and APs without specialist art teachers.
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