This interview is part of our Valleys Voices Heritage Project, where we spoke to staff (past and present), volunteers and community members about their experiences with Valleys Kids over our rich, almost 50 year history.

Miranda first became involved with Valleys Kids in the 1990s as a volunteer while working for a theatre company. She later ran a youth theatre and, in 1996, joined full-time. Although not originally from the Valleys, she was deeply interested in the area’s history, politics, and culture. Valleys Kids gave her a place to work in the way she believed in—using theatre and the arts to help young people create their own stories. With guidance from influential figures like Pauline, Margaret, and Richard, she learned community development and youth work, building her practice around young people’s creativity.

Her early youth theatre work eventually evolved into Artworks and later Sparc, shaped by the young people themselves, who chose the name and helped design its identity. Miranda believes Valleys Kids is vital because it provides consistency, opportunity, and cultural experiences for communities facing long-term disadvantage. Through projects like Tate Exchange and Mzansi, young people were able to express themselves and represent the Valleys beyond the region.

The moments she values most are the small, powerful ones—such as seeing a young person quietly take in the view of London during a project, feeling the impact of new experiences. She emphasises the importance of preserving the history rooted in places like SOAR and ensuring something remains for future rebuilding. Miranda notes that many who move on still carry the ethos of Valleys Kids with them, showing the organisation’s lasting influence.