Pick of the Month – May 2023

We're back with our next Pick of the Month! This time, with an all female line up. Our picks are a creative bunch, with practitioners in dance and pottery alongside staff and trustees in theatre and education. Read on to learn more about the challenges and successes each indivdiual has experienced in the sector.

 

Nilima Delvi – Charity Leader of the Month

 

The Centre for Indian Classical Dance is a resource and research centre for South Asian dance in the United Kingdom. It builds the reputation, at all levels, of South Asian dance through performances, networking and partnerships at local, regional and national levels. CICD welcomes all, regardless of age, gender, ability and race, using dance as a vehicle to promote its wider South Asian heritage and culture.

 

How did you get to where you are today and what does your role involve? 

“I come from India, having trained in Indian Classical Dance at Diploma and Masters level from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. For 42 years now I have been the Artistic Director of Indian Classical Dance, building upon my work as a professional Kathak artist in the areas of training, performing, choreographing and advocacy.

The Centre for Indian Classical Dance provide training workshops for hundreds of people, both in schools and at a community level. We deliver projects in partnership with other artistic organisations from across the UK and India, creating festivals and summer schools. We lead educational conferences in Leicester; inviting artists, academics and Indian dance organisations to develop dialogue, and interactive debate surrounding the subject of Indian dance. “

What advice would you give to prospective leaders?

“I believe that prospective leaders should develop a vision and work hard to achieve that vision with utter dedication and passion.”

 

What is something you are passionate about seeing change in the sector?

“I am passionate about the prospect of Indian dance continuing to connect the diverse community of Leicester through cultural festivals. I would like to see more partnership working, collaborating with artistic and educational organisations, museum services and arts centres in Leicester.”

 

Keep in the loop with all that’s happening at the Centre of Indian Classical Dance on Twitter @CICDUK.

 

Fellow of the Month - Katherine Harding, Cardboard Citizens

 

Katherine Harding is an Arts Fundraising & Philanthropy Senior Fellow and also leads up the Development and Communications team at Cardboard Citizens. Cardboard Citizens is an East London charity empowering people with lived experience of homelessness, poverty and inequality to present theatre that challenges and interrogates social injustice. 

 

Katherine told us about her current position and what the role involves:

“I lead the Development and Communications team at Cardboard Citizens in east London, raising income, planning for the organisation’s future and working to spread the word about what we do. ‘Citz’ has over 30 years of experience creating theatre and art by, with and for people with experience of homelessness and poverty. 

I started out in the Civil Service before becoming a fundraiser. My work has given me the opportunity to work with fantastic arts organisations including Art Fund, Soho Theatre and Alexandra Palace.”

 

She noted that, in the context of the UK right now, partnerships are all-the-more crucial:

“Cardboard Citizens’ theatre productions and creative training programmes are fuelled by a belief that art makes change, both for individuals and in wider society, and that everyone’s voice is important. 

In a country which is more unequal than ever, we’re working to create programming partnerships with both other arts organisations and social sector and research organisations, to magnify the impact that our small organisation makes. From our work with the Cultural Philanthropy Foundation to fund the London Ticket Bank, offering cultural tickets on a donate-what-you-can basis to people experiencing homelessness and poverty, to our partnership with homelessness charity Groundswell, creating a play based on their research into homelessness, health and the welfare system.”

 

Katherine anticpated her learnings as part of the Senior Fellowship Programme: 

“I’m most excited about finding the space to reflect on my practice as a fundraiser, both with the range of speakers and course leaders, and with others on the course.”

 

Noting the need for workforce visibility in the arts, Katherine explained her interest in promoting more back-of-house arts roles:

“I’m passionate about increasing visibility of the range of opportunities in behind-the-scenes roles in the arts, including fundraising. It’s a privilege to hold a salaried role, helping to create incredible work and, unless we shout more about these opportunities, diversity in arts administration will continue to lag behind progress to increase representation on our stages/galleries.”

 

Learn more about Cardboard Citizens’ current and upcoming work Twitter @CardboardCitz.

 

Social Entrepreneur of the Month – Abigail White, Scarab Pots 

Scarab Pots is an independent pottery-making social enterprise based in Keynsham near Bristol. Abigail White founded the business in April 2022 after working as a teacher for 20 years.  The organisation now runs pottery classes for the general public and for people with dementia.

 

To begin with, Abigail shared her entrepreneurship journey with us: 

“I started Scarab Pots in April 2022 and so much has happened in less than a year! I started off with two parts of my business - making pots to sell and also running pottery classes for the general public and for residents of the retirement village where my studio is situated. I quickly realised that I wanted there to be a third arm to Scarab Pots: providing clay sessions to older people with dementia.”

 

Speaking about her work, Abigail said:

“Working with clay is very soothing to the mind and can have a calming effect when people are feeling anxious or agitated. It also provides a valuable sensory input - something that many people with dementia have few experiences of. My clay sessions also provide a social event in the week, where people can be with different people, in a different space. I've started with just two sessions a week, but I hope to increase this as time goes on. It's been amazing to see the impact the sessions have on the people I'm working with. They love it!”

 

Finally, Abigail shared her advice for any aspiring social entrepreneurs: 

“I was given lots of good advice at the start, through courses with the School of Social Entrepreneurs, and one of the best recommendations I got was to first spend time and energy creating a viable business that was able to make a profit. Profit is not a dirty word in social entrepreneurship; if you're not making money, you're not a sustainable business that will be able to have continued social impact.”

 

Stay up to date with the work of Scarab Pots on Instagram @scarabpots.

 

Trustee of the Month – Baljit Dhillon, Youth Mix

 

Youth Mix Is a new young people’s charity, born during the pandemic from a need to support young people who were feeling isolated and lacked of support. The charity’s mission is to facilitate real change in the lives of young people aged 16 to 26 years old through informal educational opportunities and experiences that inspire our young leaders of tomorrow to become successful, confident, and responsible - taking on the world as the next generation.

 

Baljit told us about what led her to become a Trustee: 

“I am passionate about helping people and businesses bring about a change for themselves and their users to achieve to their fullest potential, whatever path that might take. As a coach, I help people to gain insights, shift their mindset and achieve change for themselves or their wider organisation.  Joining Youth Mix felt like a natural fit for me. Being part of the journey of discovery for a person wanting to change feeds my “Why”. I love to see what people and teams can achieve if they are given the resources and support that they need and they are open to change, no matter how challenging that path may look.”

 

We also asked her about her favourite aspects of the role:

“We have an amazing team running the operations, young leaders and trustees who guide the team. I love working with them. The conversations are always dynamic and full of energy as everyone is so invested and passionate about making a difference. I would say visioning and designing how we can grow and sustain the charity is something I am excited to be involved in. With over 25 years of experience leading change across organisations this brings together my day-to-day talents with my passions, so it’s a win-win!”

 

Finally, Baljit shared her advice for prospective Trustees: 

“I would say that if you have a passion for a particular area, then follow your heart! The sector will benefit hugely from that passion, and you will most definitely also get so much out of it too.  I am keen to encourage those from underrepresented groups to bring that diversity of thought to the sector.” 

Stay up to date with Youth Mix via Twitter @YouthMixUK.