Mandy Quy-Verlander

Mandy has a background working in both the arts and broader community programmes, and is herself a mixed media artist.

She was one of the first Navigators at Turner Contemporary, starting before the gallery opened and working there for 6 years. As well as being part of the learning team, working on some high-profile projects and with the local community, she was also a member of Turner’s community groups Blank Canvas and Studio Group and was part of several major commissions shown at the Gallery. Prior to starting at Turner, Mandy took part in their Cultural Ambassadors course and was thrilled to go on to study for a Fine Arts Degree as a mature student at UCA Canterbury.

After Turner contemporary, Mandy was the Engagement Officer for the Big Lottery funded project, Ageless Thanet, who did amazing work supporting people over the age of 50 to start businesses, take up new wellbeing activities and seize volunteering opportunities. In this role she was responsible for supporting project partners to work coherently together, as well as comms, publicity, event management and engagement with other agencies and members of the community.

For 5 years she worked in the heart of the East Kent community as one of Kent County Council’s Community Wardens, a varied role encompassing community safety, building community resilience and multi-agency working. She also planned and facilitated projects and events, utilising her knowledge to bring creative experiences to local communities. Mandy is a trained health coach, and at KCC undertook the additional role of Community Connector, working as a Social Prescriber offering a Positive Wellbeing Service.

Mandy has a cat called Wally and lives in a village called Cliffsend who have their own full sized Viking Ship.