Creating Opportunity - Changing Lives
Creating Opportunity - Changing Lives
Soft Touch Arts Ltd is a not for profit company with a co-operative structure. Together our staff and board form a dedicated and highly skilled team. Our pooled experience enables us to support and involve people with different needs to get the most out of our creative projects.
I’ve been with Soft Touch 1986, and am one of the founder members. My range of responsibilities as Director include planning and delivering projects, Health and Safety and Safeguarding, training and staff development, and overview of the building and resources.
I have a BA in 3D design and before setting up Soft Touch Arts I worked with street theatre companies in Holland and Manchester. I helped set up a Super 8 Film Festival in Leicester in the 80’s. I’ve never had a ‘proper job! Just this one. I have been involved in many regional and national networks and at the moment am an assessor for the Arts council’s artistic and quality programme.
I played percussion with the Soft Touch Streetband during it’s 20 year existance. I also enjoy visual arts and street theatre.
Soft Touch is a way of life for me, I like sharing control of how things work, working with other artists, seeing new artists emerging and not being isolated.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I am a founding member of Soft Touch – it has been my work for 30 years and is my life vocation. My main responsibilities in the company are project development/ management and financial planning/oversight. I also work on projects, specializing in those using film and video. Issue-based work is my forte.
I have a BA Hons in Urban and Regional Planning, though I always preferred the action in the arts field! Before setting up Soft Touch I had some experience on youth and community projects. I’ve also worked in catering and as a DJ.
When not at work I enjoy travelling, being creative in my own way, listening and making music, and I’m a football fan.
I enjoy seeing Soft Touch make a difference for young people and for us there is always a new challenge – no day is the same.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I’ve been with Soft Touch for 20 years and I am currently responsible for strategic planning and strategic company development. My role involves making partnerships, developing new programmes and areas of work and making relationships with the public and private sector. My qualifications include an HND in Business Studies and a Certificate of Higher Education in Psychodynamic Counselling.
Before joining Soft Touch, I had my own fashion clothing business in Leicester’s Silver Arcade and worked for Leicester City Council as an arts administrator.
Outside work, I like travelling to far-flung countries (especially Southeast Asia), playing the bass guitar, socialising, listening to music, gardening, and collecting and re-working vintage fabrics.
Soft Touch is a place that is pulsating with energy and creativity and I love making things happen with like-minded people who want to make a difference to young people’s lives.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I joined Soft Touch in 2000 and have been a Director for 11 years. I identify and write grant applications and develop long-term projects with partners to secure financial resources. I lead on evaluation, making sure that we have the systems in place to collect information in order to monitor the impact of our work. I am also the lead for HR.
My background is in community development. I have worked on benefit take-up campaigns and worked internationally with displaced people in Latin America. I have a BA in Archaeology and Medieval History, a degree-level diploma in Spanish and a level 3 qualification in Funding Advice.
In my spare time I enjoy walking and cycling to keep fit. I also enjoy travelling and I’m a member of a reading group.
No day is ever the same at Soft Touch. I enjoy the new challenges and new demands. It is a privilege to witness the real and lasting difference that our work makes to young people, particularly those who’ve struggled.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I’ve been with Soft Touch for 12 years and became a Director 3 years ago. My key responsibility is music production, setting up and running music projects, generating ideas and inspiring young people to participate. I build relationships with local and national music organisations to share ideas and find new opportunities or funding options. I also liaise with statutory organisations such as the Youth Offending Service, schools and youth service.
I qualified at National Diploma level (ONC) in music technology and sound engineering, and also have a BTec in photography. I previously worked as a freelance engineer and as a Youth Music project worker with Leicester Youth House.
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with my family, running, cycling and generally keeping fit. I also provide sound engineering and recording support for musicians and occasionally make music myself.
At Soft Touch, the work we do is really valued and it’s great to see the positive effects on young people. I like meeting people from different backgrounds and the challenge of making new things happen.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I started working at Soft Touch as a Fundraiser in autumn 2019. I have previously worked as a freelance fundraiser and Project Manager for the Y and as a Director at the arts and education charity The Mighty Creatives (2015-17). Prior to this I worked in Policy and Partnerships Team at Leicestershire County Council, a Scrutiny Manager for the Greater London Authority and the Drug Action Team Co-ordinator at the London Borough of Camden.
I am also a trustee for the Saffron Young People’s Project, Leicester City of Sanctuary the Phoenix Cinema and a councillor on Leicester City Council.
I was born and raised in Leicester and love the city, it’s very dear to me. I’ve been involved with Soft Touch as a trustee or as a Fundraiser for almost 10 years. It’s a pleasure working here. There’s a brilliant sense of everyone pulling together, a creative enthusiasm to make sure how we work with young people Is both really good and really matters.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I qualified as a radar systems electronic technician with the Royal Air Force, set up and ran a commissioned music business for ten years and then evolved the businesses into a media business. There’s only so many days you can work alone at home though so I welcome the different environment of Number 50!
My media background helps my Soft Touch work and I’ve built websites for projects and use Photoshop quite often too. There’s always something happening in and out of the building and no two days are the same. The staff’s creative enthusiasm spreads to project participants and creates a learning environment that is quite different to formal education.
I also keep up to date with software services, Open Source and digital trends. I have recommended and now see everyone using the fantastic Teamup (http://www.teamup.com/), we make use of Handbrake, VLC, Thunderbird and more and I keep up to date via the ECF forum (http://fairsay.com/) amongst other sources.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I started working for Soft Touch in 2009 on a freelance basis working on street sessions and on fashion projects within the traveller community. In 2010 I became a permanent member of staff. I have worked and continue to work in a variety of fantastic projects including running healthy eating projects and drama based healthy relationship projects. I also work with volunteers and help young people gain their Arts Award qualification.
I studied in Devon at Dartington College of Arts and have a BA Hons in Theatre. In 2002 I started delivering drama workshops in schools, youth theatres, and with organisations that worked with disadvantaged young people. I continued to do this work when I moved to Edinburgh and started up an award winning theatre company with three others creating devised performances that toured Scotland and parts of Europe.
I love working in a creative and vibrant environment, everyday at Soft Touch is different. I get to work with so many people across Leicestershire and it’s great to see the impact we can have on making a positive change in peoples lives.
I have worked has worked for Soft Touch since 2002 in a variety of roles such as running the Creative Mentor programme and as project worker for our Big-Up New Parks Lottery-funded programme. My background of working in the Youth Offending Service and in custodial settings is useful when working with some of the more challenging and chaotic young people. I support them to develop creative and personal skills which help them progress back into education and employment.
I have a degree in Fine Art and I’m working towards full qualified teacher status. I illustrate books and also work on some music projects. As well as walking and camping, playing the guitar is one of my pastimes.
At Soft Touch I enjoy working with like-minded people, sharing good humour and challenging each other. There are always new and exciting ideas.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I’ve been with Soft Touch as a Project Administrator since October 2013. My main role is maintaining the project database, but I also carry out a wide variety of administration tasks.
My hobbies include walking, gardening, reading, visiting historic buildings, and photography.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I’ve worked full-time for Soft Touch Arts for 13 years, but have worked sessionally with them since 1987. As an Arts Worker I deliver face-to-face projects using a range of visual art forms, including 3D design, graffiti stencilling, photography, film, video and drama.
I have a BA in Fine Art from De Montfort University. I previously worked as a playworker (arts specialist) at St Andrews Play facility, and in a range of other roles. My own freelance work as an artist has always been important to maintain.
Outside work I am an amateur musician with Gummy Bears, I am a qualified pyro-technician, putting on community firework displays and fire sculptures. I also am a keen supporter of Leicester City Football Club.
With Soft Touch I enjoy working with like-minded people and sharing what I know with young people. Each project is fresh, with new people, new ideas and new challenges. What comes out is owned by everyone and is better because of that.
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
0116 255 2592
info@soft-touch.org.uk
I joined Soft Touch in 2017 as Finance Manager and run all aspects of finance: from paying invoices and running payroll; to preparing the Annual Accounts and reporting to the Board. It’s quite varied and keeps me busy!
Before working at Soft Touch, I had done several different jobs: I started out working for several professional services firms where I qualified as an accountant; while my children were little, I sat on an NHS Trust Board as a non-executive Director; and was a Maths Academic Mentor at a high school, to name but a few.
Apart from loving numbers – when I’m not at work, my family and I like walking, playing card games and singing (probably a bit too loud in the kitchen) while cooking up a curry or batch of flapjacks! I also play the piano.
I love working at Soft Touch as the work is truly inspirational and makes such a difference to so many people in so many different ways, it is a privilege to work with so many dedicated people.
Born and raised in Leicester, I am passionate about helping give young people the opportunity to grow and develop their skills through the arts. In my role, I coordinate with everyone at Soft-Touch to help promote and share the amazing work they do for young people and the Leicestershire community. So, if you’re wondering who the face is behind various social media posts and marketing material – that’s me.
My qualifications include a First-Class Law Degree LLB and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of the West of England in Bristol. Before joining Soft-Touch I worked as a legal advisor specialising in Family and Immigration law. I also worked as a chocolatier for over four years, so if you want me to hook you up with the good stuff – just let me know.
I also run my own successful digital marketing and coaching business alongside working at Soft-Touch. I work with many other businesses and entrepreneurs to help them flourish online and feel fabulous doing it.
When I’m not working, I enjoy scribbling down stories and am trying, (slowly), to write a novel. I also enjoy drawing, yoga and talking too much.
I am very excited to be joining the Soft Touch Arts team! Since I arrived in Leicester I have seen and heard first-hand of the wonderful work they do. My role is to engage young people aged 15-24 using the arts and music to increase their personal skills, creativity and employability.
I have a BA Hons in Music and a PGCE (secondary music education). As a musician I love rehearsing and performing with my band or collaborating with other artists. I have toured and performed in many different settings around the world (including a mushroom farm – less glamorous!) but my absolute favourite thing to do is perform at and go to festivals, immersing ourselves in the crazy, bohemian and wonderful! I love discovering new places and going on adventures with my family and dog in our campervan.
I have been teaching music and the arts for twenty years (!) from tough inner-city schools to gang members and young people in El Salvador, finding myself here in Leicester teaching some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged teenagers in the city. My adventures in educating young people have been broad, exciting and continue to make me evolve. I am proud to use and develop my skills further as a member of the Soft Touch Arts team.
I’m passionate about informal learning. Since qualifying as an adult teacher, I have been involved in non-mainstream education for over 20 years, including: working with young people with Autism, Health Literacy, Emotional Literacy, Functional Skills and Family learning.
I have been with Soft Touch Arts since October 2018. I support young people to market & sell their creative output, by offering guidance & moral support, business ideas, and general marketing support. All this leads to building the confidence and self-esteem of those involved in the programme. I also liaise with local business to provide commissions to support young people to make a living from their passion. The project has been incredibly successful so far.
Outside of work I manage and promote Biff Bang Pow. I enjoy going to gigs, Dj-ing at events and spending time with my spaniels.
Hi, I’m Nidah!
I have been working with Soft Touch for about 3 months now but prior to working with the organisation I was a young person attending some of the music sessions that Soft Touch provided back in 2011. Two years before starting my internship, I was involved in a project called ‘Symphonize’. This was a very successful collaboration between Soft Touch and the Philharmonia.
I also currently do some freelance music workshops/projects with the Leicestershire Schools Music Service.
Given the opportunity to work alongside some brilliant people here at Soft Touch makes the experience so much better. No day is ever the same and I very much enjoy being a part of it all.
Mark Oldman – Director of Education – SEND and Inclusion
Mark has been a head teacher since 2012 and an Executive Head since 2015. He has chaired the City of Leicester Association of Special Schools for 4 years and worked with the Department for Education on the whole school SEND programme board since 2017.
I have worked as part of local and national improvement drives for vulnerable people and have good knowledge of the developing need in Leicester for its most vulnerable citizens. I have an absolute passion to create equity of opportunity and cultural experiences that can inspire the development of young people and prove the catalyst to them taking ownership of their lives and becoming , happy , successful and conscious members of society. I firmly believe in the power of education and community in acting as the centre of society’s development. children need a feeling of belonging and the knowledge that they have someone that believes in them.
Mark Oldman – Director of Education – SEND and Inclusion
Mark has been a head teacher since 2012 and an Executive Head since 2015. He has chaired the City of Leicester Association of Special Schools for 4 years and worked with the Department for Education on the whole school SEND programme board since 2017.
I have worked as part of local and national improvement drives for vulnerable people and have good knowledge of the developing need in Leicester for its most vulnerable citizens. I have an absolute passion to create equity of opportunity and cultural experiences that can inspire the development of young people and prove the catalyst to them taking ownership of their lives and becoming , happy , successful and conscious members of society. I firmly believe in the power of education and community in acting as the centre of society’s development. children need a feeling of belonging and the knowledge that they have someone that believes in them.
I am passionate about ALL young people having an equal chance in life. I am a true Leicester City girl and grew up in the inner-city areas, along with most of my friends who I still have strong friendships with now. The schools that I attended had some BAME children and nearly all were from deprived backgrounds. I have a mixed Asian background and my childhood circumstances are reflective of some of the young people that we support at Soft Touch Arts.
My career to date has been in Project and Partner Management roles within the cross-section of Business and Education sectors, working with Local Authorities, Businesses, Schools/FE/HE, Charities and Sector Bodies. I have also worked with many young people over the years from diverse backgrounds, with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and those classed as mainstream. Currently, at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise partnership, I support schools strategically, to embed a full Careers Strategy into their curriculum. I partner with local Providers, Government and Businesses to ensure that Schools take maximum benefit of the offers/services available, equipping our young people to make effective life decisions.
Outside work, I like to renovate. I like changing, developing and renewing things. Pre-CoVid, much of my time was spent socialising and trying out the newest restaurants as I love going out to dinner. And because I like to share experiences and knowledge, I mentor young people through various city programmes, so they become more confident in being able to make good decisions to benefit their future.
Craig Stocker
“I’ve been lucky enough to meet & support some truly wonderful &
engaging young people so far in my career.
Hailing from East London , more notably Hackney I was born into a
multi-cultural city with a diverse range of characters which gave me
an early insight into how beautifully unique we are as people.
I have spent the last 9 years meeting , supporting & empowering young
people to achieve academic & life goals in various settings such as
Youth Clubs, Schools & their own residential settings.
Young people are our future and therefore having an input in
supporting them to learn about life, in addition to nurturing their
own dreams & aspirations is something I am incredibly passionate about.
Now that I am settled in Leicester, a city which has adopted me as
one of their own I have continued to be blessed through my work as a
Senior Youth Key Worker to meet creative, kind & ambitious young minds
& been gifted opportunities to support them in how they see the world &
what Leicester have to offer.
I look forward to meeting many more young people & supporting them to
become the person they dream of being”
My range of responsibilities as Treasurer include providing support and advice to the Finance Director, assisting with the preparation of budgets and presenting financial information to the Management Board.
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1983, spent 18 years in the retail motor trade as a financial director/controller and have been an accountancy lecturer since 2006.
I’m a Leicester City season ticket holder and occasional performance poet and stand-up comedian. I also enjoy hill-walking.
Joining the Soft Touch board was an easy decision. I have always had a huge respect for the work that they do and the passion that all the workers have for improving people’s lives and making a difference through the arts.
I joined Soft Touch as a Voluntary Director in November 2019, having learnt about and fallen under the spell of the charity through several business networking and fundraising events they’d hosted.
By day, I am a Director of Fothergill Wyatt Ltd, an independent Estate and Lettings Agency based in Stoneygate and we commissioned Hannah, one of the young people Soft Touch were working with, to produce a photography collage to fill a space in our board room. When we first met Hannah she was shy and lacking in confidence, but we saw her blossom throughout the project and the outstanding piece she produced, saw her gain further commissions, which boosted her self esteem no end. Seeing this transformation was infectious and I wanted to be part of it.
In my spare time I can usually be found visiting soft play centres or producing endless craft projects with my 6 year old daughter or curled up in front of a Netflix series and I’m also a Parent Governor at Riverside Primary School in Birstall.
I joined Soft Touch Arts in 2019. I work in the Pop Up Cafe teaching young people how to cook and serve customers.
I have a degree in Criminology which provides me with an understanding of the psychology of people’s behaviour. I am currently studying for a diploma in Psychodynamic therapy to further my knowledge and understanding, enabling me to help people overcome past trauma and move towards a better future.
I take a holistic approach to mental wellbeing and I am interested in how the food we eat and our lifestyles affects our bodies and minds. I worked for 5 years as an artisan baker, have taught young children baking skills and have experience of the catering industry.
In my free time I enjoy gardening and I practice yoga daily.
I’m a Music Tutor at Soft Touch co-facilitating the girls group every Monday since January 2019.
My name’s Jenny Hibberd and my alias is Hibword for my love of words. I’m an artist, performer, writer, musician and workshop tutor. I have delivered myriad workshops through many charities/organisations, facilitating writing, music, theatre, arts/crafts and career development, for diverse, vulnerable groups e.g. young carers, LGBTQ+, refugee/asylum seekers, SEND and more.
I work on collaborative installation arts projects combining textiles, sculpture and digital technology. As Creative Director of House of Verse CIC for 5 years, I have hosted and managed many shows and projects across the midlands supporting hundreds of artists. I’ve performed solo sets as Hibword across the UK including spoken word poetry, live looping and music (singing, ukulele, percussion, beatboxing). I also perform in meditative, musical duo Mythm and comedy-gypsy band Slack Mammoth.
I have worked as a sessional project worker at soft touch for a year working with the Notable girls monday sessions where I work mostly with vocals, guitar and song-writing to inspire confidence, inspiration and self expression.
I am a self taught singer-songwriter and solo performing musician in the Leicester music scene.
Outside of working with Soft touch I am also a freelance inclusive dance teacher and I work as a Learning and outreach Assistant in an Arts Centre. I have a Honours degree In Dance from De Montfort University and I have taught and choreographed inclusive work both in Leicester and in Cambodia, SE Asia.
Marcus Joseph
I’m a creative workshop leader for Soft Touch and have been involved with them from since I was in school as a participant. I’m a saxophonist, composer and spoken word artist. I share all my skills and musical knowledge with young people providing them with the support to express themselves fully.
I am a freelance musician, performer and workshop leader; I run guitar, bass, uke and keyboard lessons; teach and work with technology; work in schools; in community settings and with arts organisations. I love collaborating, sharing ideas and building artistic relationships. Music is something that drives me and allows me to express myself creatively I enjoy sharing this with others and seeing the many benefits it can bring.
My portfolio of work is varied. I enjoy scoring and composing for different mediums such as visual art projects, working with dancers, independent film scores, theatre and working on commissioned corporate work. I love to perform and have played in many bands nationally and internationally as a guitarist and bass player.
I like how everyday accessible tech can be used to uncap creativity for all and enjoy finding creative ways to solve challenges.
I also have experience of animation and graphic work.
Naji Richards:
Bio to follow
Tian:
Bio to follow
I am the youth voice worker and
events assistant, my role is to give you youths a platform, giving and
equal say in everything we do, my role is to set up and run a youth ambassador
group, we are going to be planning
future projects and events and getting honest feedback of current
sessions.
I come from a sport/education background, I did a 2 year
apprenticeship in sports coaching, we were mainly based at community
college and our goal was to get as many young people as we can to
engage in sports. We were very successful at our goal and i could see
the positive impact we were Having on young people. This is also
where I learnt my experience to work with young people which I want to
carry on and build my portfolio at Soft Touch.
Registered charity no. 1147318 | Company registration no. 2063893 | VAT no. 748105140