Our Story
York, a city steeped in history and tradition, is at a crossroads.
While we boast a rich cultural heritage and vibrant community spirit, we are over reliant on the successes of the past. This incentivises conservative values and throttles the opportunities for innovation we so desperately need.
A housing crisis looms over us, with residents struggling to find affordable accommodation amidst soaring prices. Economic disparities widen, casting shadows of inequality across the city's once-thriving streets. Environmental concerns escalate as floods become more frequent, leaving behind a trail of devastation and contamination.
Beneath the surface of bustling tourism and historical charm lies a city grappling with its own uncertainty. While progress may be glimpsed sporadically, the lack of cohesive vision and concerted action threatens to undermine meaningful, lasting change.
We came together in 2023 as citizens deeply invested in exploring alternative futures for our city. We refuse to be bound by the limitations of the past, understanding that true progress requires bold vision and collective action.
Our journey began with a simple yet profound belief: York deserves better. We reject the notion that the status quo is inevitable, choosing instead to imagine a future that transcends the confines of short-term political cycles.
With a spirit of radical hope and optimism, we embark on a mission to build a city that serves all of its residents.
Members
Layla Grainger
With a background in Graphic & Media Design, Layla is passionate about creativity being a tool to implement positive changes in the world and has a keen understanding of the importance of effective communication through different channels.
Now working as a workplace consultant, she supports clients to develop and implement sustainable workplace strategies and change programmes that help enhance staff engagement. She believes that meaningful change can only be created by understanding the relationships between people and space through a highly human-centered approach.
Having moved from London to York in 2020, Layla has now founded 'York Terrariums' and is providing horticultural advice and workshops throughout Yorkshire. This is her passion project where she can combine her love for spaces and plants to create uplifting environments and ecosystems that thrive.
Ben Porter
Ben is a creative producer, community engager and multi-disciplinary artist.
He is the founder of several York based projects including:
• York Creatives - a non-profit CIC supporting the local creative community
• Overt Books - an independent publisher of artist books
• Acollective - a city centre workspace for small teams
Ben’s experience stretches across media production and advertising, community building and event management, and research and publishing.
He lives in the Burnholme area of York with his wife, also a practicing artist, and his son.
Sam Watling
Sam is a podcaster and trustee at Menfulness, an inclusive social community for men in York to socialise, exercise, enjoy themselves, talk and let off steam in a non judging, friendly and supportive environment
In his day job he is a Neighbourhood Enforcement Officer at City of York Council, and also a small business owner of Pop Up York - a pop up community cinema.
In his spare time, Sam is a Volunteer Chair at Film at the New Earswick Folk Hall, and is also a qualified Leadership and Management Coach.
Helen Jones
Helen is a disabled, queer person living in York, England. She's been called an encyclopedia of weirdness, in the nicest of ways!
She's curious about the world, passionate about learning and a compassionate activist.
She writes about nature, disability, sexuality and tarot, she is a perpetual student and describes herself as finding her way through a prickly, untrodden path.
She joined the crew because she felt it was crucial to have disabled people’s voices present. As she has previously been chair of York Disability Rights Forum for 5 years, she is able to advocate for disabled people in a broad sense, not just relying on her own experience.
Helen is the founder of Quiet Pride and writes a blog called Unlocking Words.
Violet Cannon
Drawing on lived experience and strong connections across Gypsy and Traveller communities, Violet has spent her career championing inclusion, cultural understanding, and representation.
She has led and contributed to numerous Yorkshire-based initiatives, including youth media projects, research and consultancy for local authorities, and nationally recognised creative work shown at the Tate Modern.
An author, trained intercultural mediator, and experienced facilitator, Violet delivers engaging, safe-space cultural competency training to a wide range of audiences.
Alongside directing a North Yorkshire charity, she is self-employed and remains committed to ensuring both the Gorja world and young Gypsies and Travellers see confident, empowered Gypsy and Traveller voices in positions of influence.
Pete Kilbane
Cllr Pete Kilbane came to York to study Politics in 1986 and never really left - both the city and the subject.
After graduating he spent 10 years at Nestle Rowntree and became active in the trade union movement. He went on to be a full time official for the GMB Union and a TUC adult education tutor.
When his children arrived, he opted for self-employment running a consultancy and managing a charity. Most recently he has helped set up a couple of well-known and successful hospitality venues in the city.
He became a Councillor for the Micklegate ward in 2019 and is currently Deputy Leader of the City of York Council with responsibility for Economy and Culture. He is also a member of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority where he is a Deputy Mayor.
Frankie Sewell
Originally from Belfast, Frankie moved to York in 2011 and quickly knew he'd found home. He set up his electrical contracting business here and has been raising his two teenagers in the city ever since.
He joined Fieldwork as a founding member in 2023 because the work aligned with something central to how he operates - helping people. Whether it's in his business or community work, he believes the best outcomes come from making things easier for others and working collaboratively rather than in isolation.
Running a business taught him that good systems should remove barriers, not create them. He's drawn to the crew's focus on cutting through jargon, connecting people who are already doing great work, and making civic engagement feel genuinely accessible. For Frankie, it's about turning York's community energy into practical, lasting action.
Sam Leach
Sam is a passionate, visionary and socially-minded individual with experience leading in the planning, delivery and operation of social enterprise, hospitality and retail business.
He is the Co-Founder, and Finance and Development Director at Spark, a community interest company that revitalised a disused part of York City Centre to create opportunities for local businesses to open their first premises in a value driven environment. Spark has since provided valuable opportunities for local start-ups, creatives and community groups.
Sam continues to seek partnership with individuals, councils and businesses who are looking to regenerate cities to support start-up business incubation, community development and positive social change.