Our Story
Company directors Murphy, Mitchell, and Murray first worked together on the Northeast Culture award winning project “The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass” in 2024. This was a vibrant community engagement project involving Washington’s residents, artists, musicians, songwriters, poets and podcasters all working together to create a series of 10 radio Ballad style podcasts, art installation and performance celebrating 60 years of Washington New Town.
Individually, the directors have each worked in heritage, arts and community media for over 30 years alongside many community and cultural partners. Their shared values and working methods, led them to form NE Voice CIC with the purpose of developing and facilitating community participation in heritage and arts in the places where they live.
The Team
Caroline Mitchell
Jude Murphy
Sarah Murray
Caroline Mitchell has over 40 years’ experience of helping people and organisations to amplify their voice on radio, community media and podcasting.
She was co-founder of Fem FM, the first women’s radio station in the UK, and is an international expert in women and radio.
As Professor of Radio and Participation at the University of Sunderland, her research and practice is centred on community media, working in partnership with communities to make change happen.
She is interested in how podcasting can help older people to be active in digital storytelling about their lives and heritage.
She is a founder of Southwick REACH and is executive producer for several podcasts including Rebel Women of Sunderland, The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass and In Tune with Nature: Conversations for a Greener Future.
Dr Judith (Jude) Murphy has more than 30 years experience in community arts and heritage, most recently as Heritage and Culture Development Coordinator for Washington Heritage Partnership.
She is the leader of two long-standing community choirs.
As a musician, recorded sound has long held a fascination for her; particularly when it can be harnessed to tell a compelling story.
Sarah Murray brings over three decades of experience to her work as an arts and heritage professional, underpinned by a background in community arts.
During her 18 years with the National Trust, she gained valuable understanding of the many ways that people can connect with heritage, cultural spaces and events.
Sarah’s approach is rooted in nurturing creative partnerships and thoughtful participation, where meaningful engagement is at the forefront.
Sarah has led numerous exhibitions and workshops, focusing on breaking down barriers and inviting people to experience and contribute to arts and heritage in ways that matter to them.
What it's like to work with us
I have had the pleasure of working with NE Voice CIC on two major community‑focused projects, The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass and Unbound: Our Freedom Then & Now. Across both projects, their commitment to authentic community engagement was outstanding. They have a remarkable ability to uncover and amplify local voices on a wide range of subjects, from the history of Washington New Town to deeply personal reflections on the meaning of freedom. Their team works sensitively and inclusively with participants of all ages, successfully engaging young people as well as supporting older community members to develop new skills—most impressively helping individuals who had never listened to a podcast before to create and share their own stories, becoming regular members of a podcasting group!
NE Voice CIC are creative, reliable and community‑centred partners, and I would highly recommend them for future projects.
Matthew Blyth, Culture and Heritage Officer for Sunderland Culture
I have worked on a number of heritage podcasts with Caroline, Jude and Sarah, including being part of the Washington Podcast group, now called the Crocodile Collective. Through this involvement, I have had the opportunity to learn so much about different technologies and meet many interesting people. Liz Crocodile Collective
I can’t recommend too highly working with Caroline and Jude from NE Voice. It has been a wonderful, transformative and unexpected development in my later life. Hugely enjoyable sessions, learning new skills. There has been great participation, making the most of stories to share. Wednesday podcast sessions are always special and so much fun being part of a lively group. Caroline and Jude bring a sparkle to the everyday. Roger Crocodile Collective