MEET THE TEAM
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.
KIERAN
Arts Facilitator
I am a fun-loving individual with a great sense of humor and a love for all things quirky and unique. As an artist with a passion for creating unconventional works I bring a fresh perspective to our team.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my beloved dog, Chip, and exploring new places with him by my side. I also have a love for bad caricatures and bad art, finding joy in the imperfect and unconventional.
As a member of the team my impressive creativity and sense of humor bring a unique energy to the workplace. My limitless passion for creating and exploring new ideas inspires everyone and Soft Touch are lucky to have me as a part of the team.
It would be wise to be OK with that...
LAUREN
Arts Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
JULIANNE
Arts Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
BECKY
Arts Facilitator
Hello, I’m Emily. I am an artist and arts educator with a specialism in printmaking, photography and drawing. I am a fine art graduate and have been working in arts education for over 20 years. I have been involved with Soft Touch for many years, working as one of the freelance team on creative studio projects.
I’m fascinated in the healing power of the natural world and this interest led me to study permaculture design, run an allotment playgroup and teach organic gardening alongside my arts work. I am a qualified forest school leader and I ran an outdoor education business for nine years. The natural world, it’s patterns, cycles and secrets holds endless fascination and inspiration for me. As well as working at Soft Touch, I am a practicing artist and I run a successful Etsy shop selling my nature-inspired lino prints.
EMILY
Arts Facilitator
I am a visual artist and love working with people using the arts.
LEENA
Arts & Food Facilitator
GINNY
Arts & Food Facilitator
Hello, I'm Minal. Mother. Daughter. Friend. Businesswoman. Photographer. Cook. Educator. Student. Guide. Spiritualist. Reiki practitioner.
As children/young adults/adults we aren't easy to define with just one label. Similarly, what I offer isn't easy to put in a single box. I am here to listen and create a safe space in which you can navigate whatever it is you are finding challenging in life and on that day.
I have trained in the fields of psychology and education, working with both adults and children, and carry certification in art psychotherapy. Through a range of methods - from active listening through to art expression, I can help transform fear into curiosity and help people find a deeper understanding of self and the world we create.
MINAL
Food Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
HOLLIE
Food Facilitator
Hi! I’m Lee (AKA GU-RU) and I’ve had the privilege of working at Soft Touch since July 2022. I’m a freelance music leader - delivering creative music sessions which incorporates live band performance and music production.
I also work on the Cafe Project on Wednesdays with a lovely group of students from an SEN school.
I’ve been a professional musician for 20 years, performing and touring with bands in the UK and Europe as a Keys player and playing pretty much every music festival under the sun! Performing on stage provides the opportunity to express my true self, which everyday life rarely offers.
I also love recording music - using Ableton Live and Logic - both as a session musician and producer in my home studio and have received airplay on BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 2 and 3. Psychedelic, Progressive and Electronic styles of music are my favourites!
It’s a true pleasure to pass on my skills and knowledge to the young participants at Soft Touch.
LEE
Music Lead
Rabbs is a versatile music producer and songwriter with extensive experience collaborating with top-tier musicians, rappers, singers, and songwriters. He leverages over a decade of experience using Digital Audio Workstation - Logic and more recently Ableton to mentor aspiring individuals interested in honing their music production, songwriting, and audio recording skills. Alongside a Business Management degree, Rabbs' dedication to music and desire to help people remain at the forefront of his work.
RABBS
Music Lead
I have been a sessional worker on and off with Soft Touch since its inception. Currently, I lead a music session as part of the Soft Touch Studio Music program where I support young participants with their song writing, singing and using the music recording software, Logic.
I am a singer, songwriter, and musician, playing saxophone and guitar. I currently play and have recorded with two live bands, writing and arranging many of my own songs. I played in a samba band for many years and have supported samba workshop sessions. I also teach a range of subjects including music, animal care, and cooking at a local FE college.
The students I work with are supported in their learning. Additionally, I have many craft skills including silver jewellery-making, textiles, sewing, and needle crafts.
SHAZ
Music Facilitator
Sam Manville, is a well-respected Midlands producer and rapper. Prior to his solo career, he was involved in various distinct corners of music, including bands like Hymns and Blakfish.
Sam Manville reinvented himself as an electronic, house and garage producer under the pseudonym FTSE and has worked with MØ, Shola Ama, Burnaboy and Peking Duk releasing on labels including Ministry of Sound and Rinse. In 2017 he started his own record label, Roller Blaster Records.
I tend to find inspiration in two places – from other music or art that I enjoy, and from watching general life unfold around me.
SAM
Music Facilitator
Sunigh, also known as SunSun, is a multi-genre artist born & bred in Leicester. He's mostly known for his drum & bass, speed garage & grime songs, from which his popular track “Rudeboy Sound” has been played nationally by the likes of the BBC, DJ Target & the legendary Sir David Rodigan.
Prior to his music career as a singer/rapper Sunigh was a member of the local Contrast Steel Band, established in 1974. It was here that Sunigh learned to play the drum kit and formed the passion for music that has been a driving force in his life ever since.
Since establishing himself SunSun has built a rapport with figureheads in the local music industry which provides numerous ways to help the development & progression in our youth participants.
With skills such as singing, song writing, performance, stage craft & sound engineering SunSun is truly a well versed musician with an abundance of knowledge to share.
SUNIGH
Music Facilitator
Singing has been my lifelong passion and has always helped me to find my way during the best of times and the more difficult ones.
Having completed a degree in Integrative counselling, I began introducing lyric writing and music to my work with the Quetzal project in Leicester.
After becoming a mummy to two amazing little ones, I was keen to continue combining therapy with music to help improve lives. I went on to work as a therapy link worker for the NHS where I loved to see patients with both mental health and learning difficulties thrive through the introduction of music in their sessions.
My personal singing career highlight has to be performing at Wembley…but a damn good pub gig in a cosy setting comes close too.
As well as singing, I dabble with digital art and have recently created a greetings card range and am commissioned to do pet portraits. I’m also a keen yogi and dog lover.
Becoming a freelance member of the Soft Touch team has been an absolute privilege and I hope to be as inspiring, as I am inspired by the young people I’m lucky enough to work with.
CAMILLA
Music Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
LAURIE
Music Facilitator
JOE
Music Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
CHLOE
Project Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Bio coming soon.
MEERA
Project Administrator
Bio coming soon.
KAT
Time to Shine Intern (Wellbeing)
Hey, I'm Rayanna! My role is all about amplifying our voice and sharing all the amazing things we do with and for young people! I love storytelling, and finding ways to combine strategy & creativity.
Alongside my role here, I run my own brand strategy & design studio, where I help mission-led founders make their brands look as impactful as the work they do. Since 2021, I’ve worked with brands across the UK and US to create visual identities with unforgettable first impressions.
A few fun facts about me:
- I'm a foodie who LOVES experimenting in the kitchen
- I sing (yes, I need to release those tracks!)
- An introvert who somehow always ends up in community projects 😂
RAYANNA
Creative Communications Lead
Bio coming soon.
EMILY
Administrator
Bio coming soon.
NAME
Role
Bio coming soon.
NAME
Role
DIRECTORS
I’ve been with Soft Touch since around 2000 delivering music and arts sessions and more recently becoming a director.
Born and raised in Leicester, I have always had a love for music and art. Mum was an art teacher at Charles Keene College when I was at school and music was always in our house, so the arts was normalised for us. Though I never studied music, I taught myself bass guitar and how to record music using a ramshackled home studio setup including a space echo, Trace Elliot EQ and Tascam tape 4 track.
I studied a photography BTEC at college in Leicester after school where I started to document local bands and musicians and people in Leicester, and later the rave scene in particular sound-systems and free parties which led me to start documenting the rave scene and demonstrations about the Criminal Justice Bill of 1994.This bill was intended to stop people hanging out in groups and listening to music. This in turn led to an interest in peoples rights, direct action, demonstration, equality and environmental issues.
I became a director of Soft Touch Arts in 2010, taking a lead on music and arts education, reaching out to underrepresented young people and artists and creating them a platform for creativity.
JOE
Director (Operations, Music & Events)
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.
KELLY
Director (Food, Art & Progression)
and Designated Safeguarding Lead
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 & 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.
DANNY
Director (Income, Communications
& Partnerships)
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.
LIZ
Associate Director (Finance, HR
& Governance)
THE BOARD
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
SAAHERA
Trustee (Co-Chair)
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.
CRAIG
Trustee (Co-Chair)
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.
KEVIN
Trustee (Treasurer)
My background is in social work where I worked for over 35 years, mainly in the areas of fostering and adoption. I was able to take early retirement a couple of years ago and so me and my partner Ruth are able to concentrate on offering supported lodgings for care leavers between the ages of 16 and 21 which we have been doing for a number of years. I am passionate about providing our young people with as many life opportunities and experiences as possible - having access to the arts and music is central to this hence my excitement at having the opportunity to join the board of Soft Touch Arts.
As an active member of the LGBTQ+ community I want to ensure that all members of all our communities are reached, not just in this country but LGBTQ+ asylum seekers fleeing persecution from other countries. Issues around poverty and social isolation become more apparent as time goes on and again, this is where Soft Touch and the projects provided become more crucial.
On a personal level, I have lived in Leicester for nearly 40 years and have raised 2 children here with my ex-husband. I now also have 4 grandchildren, all currently below the age of 4 to keep me occupied. I love theatre, cinema, cooking ( and eating!) and walking with my dogs. I like to laugh and be silly as well as serious and I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and experiences from my own.
SUE
Trustee (Safeguarding)
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.
NICOL
Trustee
After graduating with a degree in Photography from West Surrey College of Art and Design, I spent a few years working as a commercial photographer, followed by a period of travelling around South India. When I returned to Leicester, I did my PGCE and followed a career as an Art and Design teacher, specialising in Photography.
I have taught at Gateway College for the past 27 years and am particularly driven to helping students from challenging backgrounds grow in confidence and thrive. Over the years, I’ve helped organise several community led projects, so I’m particularly excited at the prospect of playing a role in helping shape Soft Touch’s future.
I have four adult children, one of whom volunteered at Soft Touch a few years ago. Her experience provided a first-hand account of the difference the organisation brings to young people.
In my downtime, along with my photography, I enjoy glass-making, live music and travel.
SHAMI
Trustee
Bio coming soon.
NAME
Role
Bio coming soon.
NAME
Role