Founded in 2021 with her friend and colleague Matt Gray during the uncertainty of the pandemic, lowercase began as a response to sudden change, but quickly became a bigger conversation about what young creatives in Grimsby actually need to thrive.

At the heart of Lisa’s work is storytelling. Whether through music, theatre, writing or conversation, she believes stories help people understand each other and what really matters. As she puts it “storytelling brings us back to each other”. That belief runs through everything lowercase does. One day might be an interactive session in a SEND school, the next mentoring in a college, running workshops in libraries, or supporting emerging artists. While theatre sits in the name, the work is much wider, focused on creating spaces where people feel seen, heard and valued.

Growing up in Grimsby, Lisa often heard that a creative career meant leaving. But her own path told a different story. Early support from Fusion Youth Theatre and mentorship from Josie Moon helped her see that it was possible to build a creative life here. By 18, she was already freelancing and working in community arts. Through conversations with other young creatives, Lisa and Matt realised the issue was not talent, but access and belief. Lowercase was built in response to that, asking what Grimsby needed from a creative organisation rooted in place and people.

For Lisa, community is everything. She believes the real impact is not just the work itself, but the connections it builds. A space that feels warm, supportive and inclusive is what makes it meaningful. Her connection to Grimsby runs deep. From the River Freshney to the sense of familiar faces at local events, the town is woven into her life. She also sees a shift happening, with growing pride, investment and momentum across the area. Some of her most memorable moments are the simplest. A monthly poetry slam at The Snug Café, a summer performance at Picnic in the Park, or even walking through Cleethorpes in the rain, all sit alongside her work as reminders of the value in small shared experiences.

A few years ago, Lisa lost her mum and became guardian to her younger brother. At 24, while building a new organisation, life changed overnight. What carried her through was the kindness of people around her, something she now holds at the centre of everything she does.