Rob Dart
WRITER / PRODUCER / FACILITATOR
ABOUT
I have spent much of my career working independently whilst collaborating with organisations, communities and creative partners on a wide variety of projects.
From creating immersive story trails and place-based arts programmes to publishing books, producing audio experiences and leading community workshops, I enjoy bringing together creativity, storytelling and participation in meaningful ways.
I love the variety of the work I am able to undertake whilst maintaining the autonomy of freelance practice.
If you would like to work with me on a project, please get in touch.
RECENT WORK
Folk Tales & Fables Interactive Story Trail, Openshaw Park, Bury
This Place Speaks | Peel Tower Project
Folk Tales & Fables Interactive Story Trail, Close Park, Radcliffe
Unpsychology Magazine Issue 10: Edges
Foraging Workshops & Storytelling @ The Sunnywood Festival 2024
WORK EXPERIENCE
The Beat Academy (2020 – Present)
I provide group lessons within a local primary school teaching RSL Awards Music Production.
Wild Souls (2019 – 2021)
I setup and ran this outdoor education provider. We delivered forest school sessions to schools within Bury MBC as well as running private sessions. I sold this business during the Covid Pandemic.
Premier Swim (2011 – Present)
I own and operate a private swim school offering one to one swimming lessons for all ages and abilities.
Mostly Toast (2007 – 2009)
I setup a small record label and recording studio in Manchester working with various artists and promoting and running gigs across Manchester. Including providing fringe festival gigs for Manchester International Festival and Ramsbottom Festival.
EDUCATION
Further Education
- Outdoor & Paediatric First Aid (2025)
- Forest School Leader Level 3 (2020)
- Fell Coach in Running Fitness (2015)
- Level 2 Swimming Teacher & Coach (2010)
- Diploma in Sound Engineering & Music Production (2007)
A Levels
Maths (B), French (E)
GCSEs
Maths (A*), Additonal Maths (A), English (A,A), Science(A,A), French (B), German (B), Resistant Materials (B), History (B)
REFERENCES
Lee Buggy
(Bury Council – Public Health Specialist)
Folk Tales & Fables Immersive Trail Experience (Jul 25)
“Rob has delivered an imaginative and impactful piece of work for and with Bury Public Health through the development of folk tales and storytelling at Close Park. This initiative took an innovative approach to community engagement by weaving local heritage, creativity, and wellbeing into a narrative format that resonates across generations.
Central to the project was co-production with local schools, ensuring that children’s voices, ideas, and artistic contributions shaped the stories and their presentation. This collaborative method not only fostered ownership and pride among young participants but also strengthened intergenerational connections and place-based identity.
Rob’s work exemplifies how creative storytelling can be used as a tool for public health, promoting emotional wellbeing, cultural connection, and community cohesion in an accessible and inclusive way.“
Andrew Humphreys
(The Bee Network – Active Travel Officer)
Folk Tales & Fables Immersive Trail Experience (Jul 25)
“Rob approached us with an exciting new idea for a story trail in the Radcliffe area, aimed at encouraging more people to use the park, get outside and be active while also highlighting the areas heritage and inspiring people to care for nature.
Rob’s passion for nature and story telling were evident throughout the creative process where he developed 5 stories and activities for children, and adults, to help them understand and engage with nature. Rob’s hard work paid off with the development of a beautiful booklet with stories and spaces to draw but the most exciting part was the recorded versions of the stories which were moving and inspiring. We can monitor downloads of these, plus the scans of the related trail QR codes to monitor how successful we are.
The project brought together traditional folklore with innovative story telling methods to create an exciting and engaging, long lasting trail. We couldn’t be happier and want to develop further trails in other areas.”
Hayley Hogg
(Millwood School – Class Teacher)
Immersive Trail Experience (Jul 25)
“Millwood School visited Close Park for the Folk Tales and Fables Story Trail. Rob Dart greeted the group and the children were very excited for the experience to begin. The magical stories, poems and moments of reflection engaged the children to take time to think, use imagination, be creative and move in nature. It will be an experience we would definitely like to participate in again.”
Sammy Deas
(The Sunnywood Project – Director)
Foraging Workshop & Storytelling @ The Sunnywood Project Summer Festival 2024
“Rob delivered two events at The Sunnywood Project Summer Festival. He guided participants on a foraging walk which captivated our participants with an educational and enjoyable opportunity to explore and learn about nature.
One participant said “my favourite thing to do at the festival was the forage walk, it was super interesting’Rob Dart later performed the story of ‘The Three Brothers’ which was expertly told, and engaged families who attended the festival in the art of storytelling, with one family saying ‘Our Daughter loved the storytelling!’
We look forward to collaborating with Rob again in the future.”