What other people say about me and my work…
“Usha is an inspirational trainer and artist who is sensitive to the needs and interests of the staff. Her inclusive, non-threatening approach allows staff to feel comfortable and is an effective way of bringing the staff team closer together….”
––Emily Clayton, Teacher and CP coordinator, Old Basford School, Nottingham
“Your journals helped me reconnect with the humanity of being - sometimes our work environment in child protection offices is so oppressive, critical and restricting. Reading your journals revives and uplifts me. It fills me up with more that I can use to shield my families from the negative sides of the culture within which I have to work and reassures me in the wonders of the human spirit… The journals helped me to connect with M, to hear his journey, to see a different side of him, to hear different stories and see the magic in him. It gave as the evidence/knowledge to be able to talk about him in different ways and it also guided us on how to reach out to him. This has such a powerful affect of how we view McK and so will be reflected in how he will view himself.”
––C.M., social worker for a child Foster Care on the Creative Mentor programme
To read the full testimonial, please click here
“I just wanted to say the wall hanging is up and looks absolutely amazing!!!!
Lots of comments on it today - the children are buzzing and so proud of their contribution to the project – a huge success! Many thanks for all your hard work with us to produce this. I know our space situation sometimes makes things tricky and your patience is much appreciated – we always find a way in the end.” ––Laura Ives, Head of School & SENCO, Medeshamstede Academy Peterborough
"Usha has a natural rapport with children, who adore her, but she has a special ability to nurture the suppressed creativity of jaded adults. I have seen this talent put to profound use in schools in Nottingham as she inspires and supports teachers through their own self-discovery towards greater job satisfaction. It’s a wonderful thing to see grown-ups as well as children delighting in imaginative play!
She breaks down limiting barriers and expresses a kind of essence of creativity that speaks to so many people because it is elemental."
––Ruth Lewis Jones, Creative Advisor for Creative Partnership Nottingham (2003 - 2008) and
Lakeside Learning Officer (Galleries)
"Usha joined a very delicate new process in 2021; the meeting of two groups of artists, for a fortnight of discussion and collaboration. Her role was to support the gathering with some structures that would help us to navigate the complex collaboration.
Usha exceeded expectations with her warmth and offerings; with dialogue and movement skills. Her knowledge of the body and of the outdoors (specifically Nottingham, where we had some wonderful local tours) were beautiful and vital elements of our experience and her support with the discourse was essential for us to be able to communicate.
She is a truly unique practitioner; patient, kind, energetic and immensely generous."
––EM Lewis Jones, dancer
"The time with you was very formative for me. As someone you works with my head a lot, it felt like you gave me tools and an introduction on how to be in my body, how to feel the nuances, exercises to feel grounded and working with shifting energies in a space. I believe that I have taken this into my personal and professional life - I recently did the water exercise with one of my team members when they felt overwhelmed, I argue for more time to ‘arrive in a space’ for any performances that I put on. Our time together made me feel like I learned how to be more holistic in my approach and understand body and mind as an entity. It definitely opened up a path for me that I’d be keen to explore more…"
Nora-Swantjie Almes, producer and curator
From Radford Primary School:
"When is Usha coming back?" Frequently heard in our classrooms.
"Is that really a moving, talking plant?" Year 3 child as Usha came into class as a plant!
"I feel so relaxed ..." Teachers and children in Usha's sessions.
"Our ideas really flowed." Teachers planning with Usha at her house and allotment.
"Wow! Your classroom looks amazing!" Many folk after Usha converted it into a 'living classroom'.
"That was the best day ever!" Children after a day playing at Usha's allotment.
"Relaxation with Usha helped us to be calm and think more." Y4 children after an Usha session.
"I felt 'loose' not tight and could be more imaginative." Lataetia in Y4 reflecting on her work with Usha.
"I learnt new creative strategies to support creative thinking." Teachers after delivering a few sessions with Usha.
“Usha is an inspirational trainer and artist who is sensitive to the needs and interests of the staff. Her inclusive, non-threatening approach allows staff to feel comfortable and is an effective way of bringing the staff team closer together….”
––Emily Clayton, Teacher and CP coordinator, Old Basford School, Nottingham
“Your journals helped me reconnect with the humanity of being - sometimes our work environment in child protection offices is so oppressive, critical and restricting. Reading your journals revives and uplifts me. It fills me up with more that I can use to shield my families from the negative sides of the culture within which I have to work and reassures me in the wonders of the human spirit… The journals helped me to connect with M, to hear his journey, to see a different side of him, to hear different stories and see the magic in him. It gave as the evidence/knowledge to be able to talk about him in different ways and it also guided us on how to reach out to him. This has such a powerful affect of how we view McK and so will be reflected in how he will view himself.”
––C.M., social worker for a child Foster Care on the Creative Mentor programme
To read the full testimonial, please click here
“I just wanted to say the wall hanging is up and looks absolutely amazing!!!!
Lots of comments on it today - the children are buzzing and so proud of their contribution to the project – a huge success! Many thanks for all your hard work with us to produce this. I know our space situation sometimes makes things tricky and your patience is much appreciated – we always find a way in the end.” ––Laura Ives, Head of School & SENCO, Medeshamstede Academy Peterborough
"Usha has a natural rapport with children, who adore her, but she has a special ability to nurture the suppressed creativity of jaded adults. I have seen this talent put to profound use in schools in Nottingham as she inspires and supports teachers through their own self-discovery towards greater job satisfaction. It’s a wonderful thing to see grown-ups as well as children delighting in imaginative play!
She breaks down limiting barriers and expresses a kind of essence of creativity that speaks to so many people because it is elemental."
––Ruth Lewis Jones, Creative Advisor for Creative Partnership Nottingham (2003 - 2008) and
Lakeside Learning Officer (Galleries)
"Usha joined a very delicate new process in 2021; the meeting of two groups of artists, for a fortnight of discussion and collaboration. Her role was to support the gathering with some structures that would help us to navigate the complex collaboration.
Usha exceeded expectations with her warmth and offerings; with dialogue and movement skills. Her knowledge of the body and of the outdoors (specifically Nottingham, where we had some wonderful local tours) were beautiful and vital elements of our experience and her support with the discourse was essential for us to be able to communicate.
She is a truly unique practitioner; patient, kind, energetic and immensely generous."
––EM Lewis Jones, dancer
"The time with you was very formative for me. As someone you works with my head a lot, it felt like you gave me tools and an introduction on how to be in my body, how to feel the nuances, exercises to feel grounded and working with shifting energies in a space. I believe that I have taken this into my personal and professional life - I recently did the water exercise with one of my team members when they felt overwhelmed, I argue for more time to ‘arrive in a space’ for any performances that I put on. Our time together made me feel like I learned how to be more holistic in my approach and understand body and mind as an entity. It definitely opened up a path for me that I’d be keen to explore more…"
Nora-Swantjie Almes, producer and curator
From Radford Primary School:
"When is Usha coming back?" Frequently heard in our classrooms.
"Is that really a moving, talking plant?" Year 3 child as Usha came into class as a plant!
"I feel so relaxed ..." Teachers and children in Usha's sessions.
"Our ideas really flowed." Teachers planning with Usha at her house and allotment.
"Wow! Your classroom looks amazing!" Many folk after Usha converted it into a 'living classroom'.
"That was the best day ever!" Children after a day playing at Usha's allotment.
"Relaxation with Usha helped us to be calm and think more." Y4 children after an Usha session.
"I felt 'loose' not tight and could be more imaginative." Lataetia in Y4 reflecting on her work with Usha.
"I learnt new creative strategies to support creative thinking." Teachers after delivering a few sessions with Usha.