About the facilitators
Vishni Velada-Bilson
Facilitator
Lecturer in Applied Theatre Practice at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. Vishni facilitates group processes, within responsible spaces to foster dialogue and creative engagement. Present within all her work, is the promotion of active listening and establishing a culture of positivity. The focus of each bespoke workshop is curated to establish a sense of flow, to create fluidity of thought and space to flourish and be restored within a playful and nourishing environment.
Vishni is currently employed as a visiting Lecturer on both the BA and MA applied theatre courses. She has completed an accredited psychodynamic counselling course in Skills and Attitudes at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation and a foundation course in Group Analysis at the Institute of Group Analysis, where she is currently completing a Diploma and will have Group Work Practitioner status in July 2023. Most recently she has worked as Director of Open Court, Royal Court Theatre (2018-2023) Vishni
Laura Asare
Facilitator
Laura has over 10 years of experience creating and facilitating workshops in a variety of environments. Laura has the skills to create collaborative environments and has worked with the most vulnerable people in society.
Laura has a natural ability to create and build a focus and flow within workshops. Passionate about creating authentic communication and ensuring all people feel seen and heard.
Laura is the co-founder of Blank Cheque which creates social change through creative projects. She has facilitated workshops with Hibiscus initiatives, Synergy, Clean Break, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Cardboard Citizens and Advanced Minerva. A visiting lecturer at Goldsmiths University on the Masters course in Applied Theatre.
Bethan Barke
Facilitator
Bethan is a professional, fun and focused facilitator who has a natural ability to create a warm group dynamic using theatre exercises.
“I aim to provide a space where we can focus on your aims. We will construct a space together, creating a flow-through play and exploring.”
Bethan has vast experience in facilitating groups including; Teaching Assistant, at City and Islington College, Workshop Trainer, at the University of West London, Assistant Facilitator, at Children’s and Youth Theatre and Collective Group with Hackney Shed, Workshop Facilitator with the Not God Complex at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Young Actors Theatre Islington and Theatre Deli and as a party Entertainer with Zebadee Kidz Partys.
Gemma Hannah
Facilitator
With over 25 years of experience in a broad range of settings, Gemma understands the value and potential of creative exploration, story, community, and play. She brings focus, flow, and inspiration to her sessions.
Gemma’s psychology education and training as a Jungian analyst bring new depth to her facilitation work, drawing on group processes, archetypal dynamics, dreams, and personal stories to create nourishing group experiences.
Lauren Sammé
Facilitator and Founder
Between 2012 and 2017, I worked with the most vulnerable groups of women in society, including those at risk of or in the criminal justice system. I collaborated with staff who worked with service users, including those in probation, police, drug and alcohol, and domestic violence roles. I frequently visited and presented in prisons, courts, police stations, domestic violence and human trafficking refuges.
Through witnessing how 30 minutes of drama exercises could create complete focus and flow, at the most challenging time, along with lots of laughter. Recognising the power of this process cultivated a drive and desire to unite and empower people through group facilitation and exercises.
We want to offer elements of these workshops to as many people as possible because it brings joy, inspiration, imagination, and catharsis. We tend to disregard these elements of engagement from puberty onwards, especially in the workplace. This is leading to staff isolation, separation and undoubtedly an unhealthy impact on all. “I can promise that we will create laughter, authenticity, engagement, communication within the focus and flow.”
Let's Play!
Let’s talk about how we can work together to make your workplace a connected, solutions focused and more productive environment.
