Alison Teader

Arts & Health Consultant

I have had the pleasure of working with Mike, employing him in the capacity of facilitator for a NAPA Arts in Care Homes (AICH) event: Away Day: “Taking Stock and Moving Forward” hosted by The Rayne Foundation in London in 2022.

The main aim of the session was to involve care home managers, activity staff and those working in creative arts organisations to review and evaluate the work of AICH to date and to decide on priorities for the next year.

Mike designed a really enjoyable and creative programme for the event, incorporating lots of engaging exercises which allowed attendees to participate in different ways. His facilitation style is warm and friendly and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject of arts in care homes and dementia care provision came across very clearly. This helped to provide a safe and inspiring opportunity for people to share and reflect honestly and, as a result, the event was very constructive.

Mike ensured that the programme moved at a good pace, allowing enough time for participants to connect and talk meaningfully about their own work and consider the issues we were focussing on, resulting in many insightful and productive responses and suggestions. Mike’s positive and energetic delivery really motivated the group and as a result it was a very joyful and memorable day.

I really enjoyed running the event with him and was grateful for the positive outcomes and ideas which resulted from it, which helped me to move forward with this work with more clarity and purpose.  Inspiring, Collaboration, Motivated, Encouraging, Fun, Hope    The above were words that participants used to describe aspects of the day and I would certainly agree!