directors

elmsgrove community arts cic – directors

Barry Elms

Barry Elms is the founding Director of Elmsgrove Community Arts CIC, where he leads the delivery of inclusive community music and wellbeing projects. As a self-employed community arts practitioner and volunteer director, Barry combines hands-on facilitation with strategic leadership, helping shape the organisation’s vision and governance.

A singer and accomplished harmonica player, Barry also plays guitar, bass, keyboards and harmonium. He leads inclusive music sessions for both adults and young people, centred on blues, folk, early jazz and skiffle. His work encourages confidence, creativity and connection, and he also offers beginner-level tuition in harmonica and guitar. He performs regularly across Cornwall and Devon as a solo artist and band member.

Barry has been teaching weekly community yoga classes in Launceston for over 20 years, and is a senior tutor with the Devon School of Yoga, specialising in yoga nidra (deep relaxation), kirtan (mantra music), and yoga philosophy. He holds an MA in the History and Philosophy of Yoga and is a certified Mental Health First Aider.

He actively supports other local CICs and community events, volunteering his time and expertise in sound engineering, PA provision, stage management, and event promotion. His collaborative ethos strengthens the local creative sector and fosters shared cultural opportunities.

Barry has also held national leadership roles, including Chair, Vice-Chair and Head of Communications for HarmonicaUK, where he led volunteer teams and supported national events, communications and IT systems. He brings a strong background in IT, project management and cyber security to his community work, supporting the operational and technical side of running a modern CIC.

Francesca Parsons 

To be updated