Niall Palmer
Growth Partner (UK) and Manager of Growth Partners & Customer Service (US)
Hey, I’m Niall!I’m from Salford and have lived there all my life apart from when studying History at university and a couple of years working in New Zealand and Australia. Since finishing my degree I’ve worked in a number of different customer service jobs, as well as travelling to as many countries as possible. If I had to pick a favourite country it would be China, due to the rich variety of cultures and landscapes I encountered from region to region. And also the food, which was amazing. As a Growth Partner at ClassBento I get to help the amazing teachers that we work with on their journey to spread the joys and benefits of arts and crafts. One of these benefits is the improvement of a person’s mental wellbeing and health, which is something ClassBento puts at the heart of its mission. And as I, like many others, have known friends and family who have struggled with their mental health, spreading this message will always be important to me.My main source of creativity is taking pictures with an old film camera I bought second-hand, which often accompanies me and my dog on our walks. I also love to cook, but my baking skills leave a lot to be desired - I should probably do a class! Some classes I have done though include Terrarium Making, Needle Felting and Paint and Sip.
I currently live in Levenshulme in Manchester with my partner.
I'm really into football (watching and playing!), jogging and finding new places to get coffee and food. I love exploring different cities, and try to visit somewhere new as often as possible.
About me
- BA (Hons) History, Edge Hill University
- I spent 2 years in Australia and New Zealand, working in hospitality to fund my travels.
- I had a 2-year stint as a dog minder, which was hard work but great fun.
- I got into film photography for a bit of fun a few years ago, but I've managed to keep the hobby going.
Top weekend activities
- A run or walk, followed by a coffee at Kobean – cold brew and a cardamom bun is my go-to order!
- Time spent doing something new and fun: seeing a film, going to an exhibition or visiting a local market – whatever's on that weekend.
- Dinner out at one of our favourite places, either Happy Seasons or Stretford Canteen.
Favourite craft
I love wheel throwing: it's so unpredictable, and often the end result is very different from the initial intention – sometimes for the better! I'd really like to try glassblowing too. It looks so cool!
3 top tips to recharge and unwind
- Do what you enjoy and what you really want to do. And if that means you're not doing much on that day, then that's fine!
- See a friend once a week. Connection is so important for mental wellbeing.
- Try something new every so often. A craft, a film you've not seen, a day trip to a different city or area… anything!
3 top tips for embracing creativity
- Accept the fact that you probably won't be very good when you start. And that's OK – you'll either enjoy the experience, or practise and get better!
- Go and experience different places for inspiration. This could mean going to a different country on holiday, or just trying a new park or walking route in your local area.
- Do whatever you find fun. Ignore social media and what other people tell you – it's your experience!
