About us
Our Mission
Artizan International’s mission is to transform the lives of people with disabilities, enabling fulfilling, independent futures through social enterprise, hospitality, and community inclusion. Rooted in compassion and integrity, we co-produce sustainable programmes that build skills, opportunity, and visibility in the UK and South America. Positively changing attitudes, championing every individual and fostering a more equitable, joyful future.
Our Values
Empowering Independence and Opportunity: We believe in the potential of every individual. We’re dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives, fostering independence, and creating equitable opportunities to thrive. We believe that joy, fun and community are essential ingredients for a life well-lived.
Championing Inclusivity and Respect: We’re committed to a world where everyone belongs. We champion inclusivity, celebrate diversity, and treat every person with unwavering respect, ensuring their voices are heard and valued through active listening.
Compassionate Collaboration and Co-production: Our work is rooted in kindness and compassion. We embrace co-production, working hand-in-hand with people with disabilities to design and develop our projects.
Integrity & Equity: We offer fair pay to artisans, equitable opportunities to members; and safe, caring environments where people can learn, adapt, and feel secure. We challenge stigma and raise awareness to build a more just and compassionate world.
Promoting Visibility and Acceptance: We strive to increase the visibility of people with disabilities, celebrating their contributions and challenging societal misconceptions. We cultivate an environment of unconditional acceptance, where everyone feels safe, valued, and free to be themselves.
Everyone we’re involved with is on a journey of transformation.
For our disabled artisans, artists and members, it’s a journey of empowerment; from invisible to visible, from isolation to community & from the margins to the centre.
For all the communities we touch, it’s a journey towards a more inclusive society where everyone is welcomed, respected & valued as creative members of an inspiring whole.
Why we do it...
Our vision is to create a world where disabled people are welcomed, valued and respected as creative contributors to their community and given equal opportunities to their peers. Artizan International enables, empowers and supports people with disabilities to meet their full potential, through therapeutic arts and craft activities and social enterprise.
We create accessible opportunities for disabled people, to enable them to gain skills, reduce their social isolation, show-case their talents to their local communities and thereby be recognised for their abilities, rather than their perceived disabilities. This has a transformational effect on attitudes towards people with disabilities and leads to a more cohesive, inclusive community, where people of all abilities can fulfil their potential, creatively and economically.
Meet the Team
Liz Cuderay
CEO
Sarah Davis
Operations & Finance Officer
Susie Hart MBE
Founder
Georgia Stockburn
Steff Winter
Cafe Manager
Isobel Hallett-Brown
Workplace Skills Trainer
Sara Troup
Artizan Organics Project Lead
Jess Thompson
Creative Lead & Volunteer Coordinator
Karita
Peru Craft Leader
Gabi
Peru Cafe Manager
Carlos and Jessica
Ecuador Project Leaders
Trustees
Treasurer
Richard is a Chartered Accountant with more than 30 years of experience in senior finance roles at board level in a variety of businesses. He lives in Harrogate and has been a member of St Mark’s Church for a number of years. He and his wife, Vanessa, have three grown-up children, Ollie, Henry and George. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, skiing and football, and sings tenor in a local chamber choir.
Secretary
Elizabeth is a (retired) priest in the Church of England; her last post was as a Residential Canon of Ripon Cathedral. She has been involved with Artizan since 2021 she started sewing for the shop after the first UK Covid lockdown. As well as a wide range of craft activities, her interests include walking and dog sports with her Parson Russell Terrier 'Pixel'. She is passionate about enabling people of all abilities to support themselves and their families and loves the way Artizan demonstrates that ethos so widely, in the UK as well as in Peru and Ecuador.
Steve is a founding trustee and has served as treasurer, utilising his skills as a management accountant. His day job is with Red Kite Learning Trust as Chief Financial Officer. Steve is a foster carer and a grandparent and likes to get out on his bike.
Sharon brings a wealth of experience to Artizan International, having transitioned from a 30-year corporate career to become a mindfulness meditation teacher and clinical hypnotherapist. Driven by a passion to help others achieve their full potential, her extensive background in leadership, coaching, and business insight provides a unique foundation for her role as a trustee. Sharon lives in Harrogate with her husband Rolf, and they enjoy walking in the fells and playing padel.
Carmel has recently joined the trustee board. She retired in 2023 after over 30 years in senior corporate leadership roles focusing on transformation and customer engagement and hopes to use her skills to help Artizan’s journey. She has lived in Harrogate with her husband for over 25 years bringing up their family. In her spare time she enjoys walking the dog, padel, sailing and travel.
Shantelle is a certified business mentor, and has 20 years of experience in business transformation, project management and strategic leadership. She has recently joined the trustee board and is looking forward to utilising these skills to support Artizan’s journey. With a passion for supporting young people, Shantelle is also a secondary school governor and champion for supporting young people develop life skills. Outside of her professional endeavours, her interests include travel, spiritual guidance and holistic therapies.
Serenity has recently joined the trustees and is excited to be a part of Artizan's journey. She is a qualified social worker currently serving as a high school pastoral worker and previously worked in the care sector with both adults and children. She brings great insight through her experience of living with a disability. Outside of work, she enjoys travel and sport.