I provide a wide of creative workshops for adults and young people, which are full of fun, creativity, interaction and learning. With over 17 years experience of planning delivering and evaluating projects and programs.
I can run sessions with groups from small to large at any one time. Workshops can be run with groups as small as 2 people, right up to huge specialist workshops of 500 or more participants, and many smaller sizes in between.
My workshops come in many shapes and sizes. Maybe you want to explore a difficult subject like bullying or challenge prejudice such as racism, maybe you want to tackle a curriculum subject like history in a different way or raise awareness of local and global issues such as those concerning the environment. You might want to compliment some training for your staff or peer supporters or maybe you would like me to help you with your work or group dynamics.
Whatever your workshop need is, I already have one waiting for you or can design one specially to suit your needs. You will find a few examples below.
I run workshops on a variety of social issues and subjects including:
- Anti-Bullying
- Employment Training
- Gangs
- Healthy Relationships
- Assertiveness
- Emotional Management
- Drug & Alcohol Misuse
- Social & Life Skills
- Citizenship Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Peer Mentoring
- Transitions
- Invisible Theatre
- Forum Theatre
- Rainbows of Desire
- Facilitation Training
- Workshops linked to the National Curriculum
- Play in a Day
I can offer a variety of workshops on any of the above topics including:
- One-hour introductory interactive workshop for up to 35 people at a time
- One-hour semi interactive workshop for large groups (500 people maximum)
- 1- ? day workshops
- Residential workshops
- Special workshops
- Bespoke workshops
Creative Empowerment Workshops
These workshops help build our confidence and develop a positive outlook on ourselves and are available for adults and young people. Thought provoking and interactive activities that focus on locating and harnessing empowerment from within. Sessions are fun, energised and practical and include training in:
- Self image
- Body language
- Eye contact
- Assertiveness
- Rights awareness
- Voice control
- Presenting ourselves
Sessions usually last from two-four hours in one day. Longer and more in-depth sessions and residencies may be booked if required. If you do not see what you want here, please contact me to discuss other options.
Educational Work
My educational theatre work is core to my practice. I have 5 main aims in mind in relation to this work:
- Encouraging self-esteem
- Building self-confidence
- Respecting individuality
- Promoting informed choice
- Tackling health and social issues
With these as the driving force behind each of my educational productions I actively prepare young people for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences they face while growing up. By providing entertaining yet thought provoking theatre and hands on interactive workshops, I give young people the chance to make informed decisions about their lives.
I pride myself on the consistent ability to work with any age-group on any issue. Whatever the brief, I always insure that a powerful and engaging workshop experience is the final result. I am extremely aware of the ease with which young people can switch off if they are not engaged fully by what they are watching.
All of my shows and workshops complement the PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) and SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) curriculum perfectly. Each performance is based on the National Curriculum guidelines for that particular age group and subject matter. When working with particular schools I can establish ways in which my programme can fit into the school’s individual PSHE curriculum.
Over the years, I have forged strong partnerships, successfully working alongside a wide range of organizations nationwide. These include Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Health Authorities, Healthy Schools Teams, Youth Offending Teams, Community Safety Teams, Drug Action Teams, Youth Services, Community Development, Met Police, NSPCC, Housing Services, Mental Health Services, Connexions and Social Care.
I bring dynamism and expertise to the different fields, ensuring that participants are equipped to make positive decisions about their futures. I am committed to creating fun, interesting and dynamic work to ensure enjoyment whilst learning. I offer partnership organisations and institutions twelve years knowledge and experience in delivering successful projects, which are able to educate people in an upbeat and innovative way.
I work alongside professionals and specialists throughout the planning and devising process of each of my workshops and projects. This involves training sessions and consultation to ensure that factual and statistical information is correct. I have a strong history of partnership work and always ensure that I continue to develop good working relationships with other agencies. This enables a supportive and collaborative approach to the work programme that I deliver and in turn strengthens my work and knowledge.
My Work with Young People
I work with a wide range of young people aged between 7 and 26 years of age in the community as well as in secure settings. This has enabled me to work on a wide range of projects, from prevention schemes to longer term projects with young people identified as being higher risk. Over the past years I have developed a particular expertise in the planning and delivery of Summer Arts Colleges. I believe that all young people have the right to access creative arts work, to enjoy these experiences and discover alternative ways of operating in the world
Life Cycles program
Life Cycles is a life & social skills programme designed for dual-delivery: comprising both an accredited group course and one-to-one mentoring sessions. This unique programme helps people develop everyday life skills, make good choices, and become positive contributors to society. A varied choice of ‘pick and mix’ sessions allow programme content to be tailored to the specific needs of each individual. Additionally, the ‘shared experiences’ element of the mentoring lets a person step out and try new life skills in the real world, where they can learn from their mentor.
The programme explores relevant life topics, including: Managing money / budgeting, Job seeking, Healthy relationships, Roles and responsibilities, Anger and pain management, Social skills and much more.
International Work
I have successfully toured projects and programmes to Jamaica, Africa, Canada, Texas, Bolivia, Peru, Nicaragua, Brazil, Slovenia, Poland, India and Australia. I tour across the world with a variety of creative projects and programmes that use a variety of cross cultural fusion of arts and creative action methods. They are fun, flexible, adaptable and full of energy. I can tour anywhere in the world. Please contact me for more details.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2004/aug/18/guardiansocietysupplement3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4286456882/in/photostream/ part 5
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4281259907/in/photostream/ part 4
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4281094325/in/photostream/ part 3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4280822309/in/photostream/ part 2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4281406398/in/photostream/ part 1
Blind Group Sculpt exercise in Slovenia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/4286596338/in/photostream/
Yes Let’s exercise in Slovenia
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619898447/in/photostream/ Exploring Immigration @ PTO Conference USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620683250/in/photostream/ Exploring Healthcare @ PTO Conference USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620659878/in/photostream/ Exploring Racial Profiling@ PTO Conference USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619831925/in/photostream/ Exploring Education @ PTO Conference USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620471176/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619638097/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619594781/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619570563/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620231232/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620208482/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620193632/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3620170696/in/photostream/ (working with social workers in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619112515/in/photostream/ (working with boys in orphanage in Bolivia)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3619909340/in/photostream/ (working with vulnerable boys in Bolivia)
Criminal Justice Work
I know the arts are an essential means of reducing reoffending. I have the expertise and experience, the skills and track record in working with those people passing through the Criminal Justice System.
Underlying all of my work is the notion that individuals have the capacity to respond in different ways to pressures from friends, families or environment. Other strategies are always available, however, it often requires the offender to use imagination and to envision alternative behaviours.
Through my games and exercises I give participants an opportunity to discover their natural abilities and talents, giving focus to learning style, vocational inclination and aptitude for different professions
I use tried and tested models of effective practice that work in engaging, motivating and providing opportunities for people to develop new skills as well as discover new ways of behaving and relating to others.
I deliver highly skilled sessions on offending behaviour treatment groupwork programmes: all underpinned by the themes of choice, change and personal responsibility
I work in four main areas:
- Prevention and early intervention
- Community sentences
- Custodial sentences
- Through-the-gate and community services for ex offenders
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3455288843/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3456095806/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34823481@N04/3455286563/in/photostream/