Being a Trustee for Dance Voice
As a small yet highly productive organisation we really value our team of Trustees and the support they can offer.
Our trustees meet with the Executive Directors on a monthly basis, in between these meetings there is an expectation that trustees will be able to take on specific jobs that match their skills, passion and expertise.
The team are also encouraged where possible to attend training and workshops that will support their knowledge of charitable organisations and all that is involved in the role of Trustee.
If you are interested in supporting Dance Voice and would like to be part of an exciting, innovative organisation that has the value of human connection and creativity at its heart why not be a Trustee.
Contact the Executive Directors Linsey and Vikki to discuss what we can offer each other, meet some of our dancers and get an insight into the daily workings of Dance Voice
Current Dance Voice Trustees
Clare Chapman
I became involved as a Trustee, following my own participation in a week long Introduction to Dance Movement Psychotherapy course back in 2012. I found the experience inspirational in terms of what the work of Dance Voice offers to a wide range of individuals with particular physical and men- tal health needs and learning disabilities. Having experienced the real ben- efits for myself, and witnessed first hand the benefits to the clients in terms of a supportive, nurturing and creative space within which each person is encouraged to grow, I wanted to continue to support the charity.
I come from a background of dance and drama having trained originally as a primary school teacher, specialising in educational needs. I went on to work with young offenders, so experienced a range of challenging behav- iours, many of which stemmed from the need to be seen and heard. My commitment and passion to offer a space within which this could be en- couraged and developed over time led me to train as a counsellor and to become a counsellor trainer and supervisor.
I set up Off The Record in Bath, an Information, Advice and Counselling Service for young people, over a period of seven years. Prior to this I had worked as a Lecturer and Student Counsellor at the City of Bath College for many years. I retired from the University of the West of England at the end of 2013 having been the Programme Leader and a Core Tutor for the Diploma in Professional Studies – Counselling Course for 12 years. I now have a small private counselling and supervision practice.
I aim to bring my experience of managing a charity, my role as a counsellor, counsellor trainer and supervisor and my belief in the significance of the work undertaken by all the staff at Dance Voice to the charity. Dance Voice is hugely important to the well being of many vulnerable and needy indi- viduals and provides an irreplaceable experience.
Harriet Lupton
I have always been interested in dancing and dance. Starting in the living room at home with 78 rpm records, then in school doing country dancing and as a teenager mimicking Mick Jagger! I was lucky enough to take classes three times a week with Flora Cushman who was trained by Martha Graham and her colleagues. Now I dip into anything that grabs me like salsa or folk dancing and circle dancing to wonderful Balkan music!
I always feel uplifted and lively after a session of dancing and I am not alone in this experience. How wonderful to dance delightfully with someone else who feels the same either for that evening or developing a performance.
My god-daughter and another friend have trained with Dance Voice so I feel a personal connection. I always come to the events and shows.
Because I worked locally as a General Practitioner in Bedminster, I invited the Wednesday group to display their work for a month at the Malago Surgery a few years ago and we had a talk from a Dance Voice member of staff.
Since retiring from General Practice I have time to work with and support Dance Voice.
Using my natural interest and passion for dance and also caring for people, I spend time and energy supporting Dance Voice as a Trustee. I am a practical person with an enquiring mind so I just muck in and solve problems. I have an artistic family background so feel able to support the “public face” of Dance Voice. I feel responsible for supporting the future of Dance Voice in whatever way I can.
Carole Chambers
I had a fulltime career in Post16 Education and currently work for the Open University tutoring a Science Access course. I became a member of the |Higher Education Academy (HEA) in 2008. In 1997 I became a trustee and have been Chair for six years. I bring a client perspective through personal experience.
My long association with Dance Voice gives me not only an overview of the organisation but also an in depth understanding of it’s characteristics. I am pleased to make a contribution to Dance Voice which offers unique support to our vulnerable clients.
I am passionate about supporting Dance Voice to deliver sustainable Dance Movement Psychotherapy sessions and to shape the future of the charity.
Julie Wyatt
I came to Dance Voice 6 years ago through ARA a rehab organsiation for people with alcohol addiction. Since being at Dance Voice I have grown and learnt a lot like confidence, self-esteem, trust, working as a team, encouragement, love, empathy and support.
I really love being at Dance Voice I cant get enough of it, it is the best thing I have ever done, it also saved my life, the therapists and students are a wonderful bunch of people. The main thing I love about the people here, not one of them will judge who, what or how I am.
When I was approached and asked if I would like to join the trustees and be part of the team I was overjoyed to be helping out with the running of Dance Voice. Again I have learnt a lot about how Dance Voice ticks and the other trustees are lovely people.
Since being a trustee I have gained a lot of knowledge in all aspects of my life. I couldn’t think of a better charity I would like to support. Dance Voice is such an amazing place to be part of, I would love it to be bigger and succeed well into the future for many years to come.
Gregory Champion
Gregory Champion was a service-user at Dance Voice. “When I found dance it freed me up and helped me move, both literally and metaphorically, into a new positive way of dealing with my problems and issues. Through Dance Voice I have seen many other people grow and move forwards in the same way.
Even walking is dancing – how you carry yourself when you move through the day is dancing. It’s the same when you come to Dance Movement Therapy – as we move and dance in the Dance Voice arena we start to understand ourselves – how you hold yourself when you are happy or sad – and learn how to recognise and love those states.
As a trustee I can bring the clients’ point of view. I am also a creative thinker as well as a practical, handy person. I love all the team and what they do – they are very caring, helpful, go ‘above and beyond’, and are so committed. I am proud to promote Dance Voice and how much of a positive thing I think it is.”