Contact: practicingfrank@outlook.com

About me I am a charismatic, peaceful person who enjoys being and working with people in a team. Time with my local and artistic communities makes me feel happy. I explore creative encounters and ways to be of support where I can.  

My Objective is to continue with my work in communities developing flexible, adaptive programs and creative encounters. My long term objective is to coordinate a space where all forms of performance, art and storytelling may call home as equally as the local community. In agreement with the social model of disability, I would like to better understand the administration and organisation of access to the arts.          

Current work

[March 2024 - present] Occupational Therapy Assistant - based in a Medium Secure Forensic Service, this role involves being part of the Recovery-focused Occupational Therapy Team carrying out specialist group and individual work within the inpatient unit.

Education - please request for full details

Professional Roles

[Sep 2023 - onwards] InterAct Stroke Support, Professional Actor - Reading in Clayponds Hospital and Royal London Hospital stroke wards to people in recovery from strokes
”InterAct uses only professional actors to deliver a stimulating and rich variety of reading material that is specially selected to suit the needs of the stroke patient. By doing so InterAct works to stimulate memory, engage language, and lift spirits. We offer in person, and virtual readings.” More information on the organisation: https://www.interactstrokesupport.org/

[Sep 2023 - Jan 2024] Royal Academy of Art & Marina Abramovic Institute - Reperforming Luminosity, Imponderabilia and Nude with Skeleton in durational format as part of the Marina Abramovic retrospective exhibition at the Royal Academy of art. More details on the exhibition here https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/marina-abramovic , and details of the reperformance schedules here https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/page/marina-abramovic-reperformances

[Jan 2023 - Aug 2023] Support worker (Specialist Behavioural Support Worker) for an adult with learning disabilities, challenging behavior and complex needs - Learning Disability Network London. Lone-working direct support for someone with PWS, mental health and challenging behaviour needs at home and in the community, safeguarding and relevant reporting, adaptive positive behaviour support in extremely challenging behavioural situations, reviewing, redrafting and rethinking support documents such as support plans, risk assessments, positive behaviour support document, missing persons process etc., designing service documents such as daily logs, reward charts and processes for use to improve quality of support, safeguarding, monitoring and service needs.

[Dec 2021-Sep 2022] Respite Team Leader, respite service in Ladbroke Grove for adults with learning disabilities, challenging behavior and complex needs, majority crisis beds - Learning Disability Network London. Work as part of a small management team running the respite service, training and inducting team, working closely with legislation, policies, budgets, and other parameters to deliver an outstanding support service for service users and stakeholders. Responsible for the safe delivery of an ever-changing offer with conflicting demands, leading people (team of around 20 support workers), leading in safeguarding, health and safety, professional development, managing risk and resources and improving quality.

[Feb 2021-Dec 2021] Assistant Team Manager for two supported living services in Camden - Learning Disability Network London Supporting the Team Manager with the effective management and coordination of a high quality, person led service for people with learning disabilities.  Live LDN’s values, lead a team of 10 support workers, lead safeguarding and safety, improve quality, communicate effectively, develop people, manage resources and risk and deliver results.

[June 2020-Feb 2021] Support worker, supported living service in Camden - Learning Disability Network London Working as part of a team in the delivery of person-centred direct support to service users. Managing medication and complex health needs, personal care, health and social appointments, maintaining a clean and organised environment, leading shifts, recording logs and handovers.

[Oct 2018-April 2019]

Produced series of events at this historic venue:

Running at the RAH, booking artists, artist liaison, commissioning work, logistical work, event management, organizational skills, front of house.

The BBC requested to film a documentary about the artists I managed for the event, Drag Syndrome, I did extensive coordinating with them to facilitate that. Documentary available by clicking here.

Awards

[2022] Covid Hero Award in recognition of dedication and service done in residential services with Learning Disability Network London during the Covid-19 pandemic

[2017] John Muir Award in Recognition for Awareness and Responsibility in Wild Places, undertaken on 5 week British Exploring expedition to the Canadian Yukon. The award is for the discovery, exploration, conservation of a wild place and sharing of this process.

[2015] Drama Prize - award given to the top-performing graduating Drama student

[2013] John Muir Award in Recognition for Awareness and Responsibility in Wild Places, undertaken on 5 week British Exploring expedition to the Indian Himalayas. The award is for the discovery, exploration, conservation of a wild place and sharing of this process.

Voluntary Work:

While in New Zealand 2020:

• [March 8th] Newtown Festival, New Zealand — Volunteer I had been interviewing the director of Vincent’s Art Workshop, a Creative Space in Wellington for free art use. It was for everybody but was focused on providing art instruction and a social space for people with mental health difficulties since the deinstitutionalisation of mental health in NZ. I ran their stall during the Newtown Arts festival and educated the public on their work.

• [Feb-Mar] Animal Carer - live in animal carer and farm worker on Black Sheep Farm Animal Sanctuary in Otaki, NZ.

• [15th Feb] Butoh workshop facilitator - developing, organising, advertising and facilitating an Introduction to Butoh workshop, as a fundraiser for Arts Access Aotearoa

• [4th Feb] Server and social - Cafe Neo community dinner and board games

• [31st Jan] Front of House Volunteer - set up and greetings @ CreativeMornings Wellington, lecture series

• [Jan-ongoing, weekly] Seamstress - Karori Fabric Re-purpose, sewing group which creates things for the community, such as quilts for mothers who don’t have the means to buy one, dementia fiddle blankets and sports bags for the Wellington Sports Bank

[Jan-July 2019]

Volunteer at Hackney Young Carers homework club, subsidiary of Action for Children. Assisting young carers age 5-16 with their assorted homework for a 2 hour weekly session. Social support, listening, some craft leading.

[Jan-Sep 2017]

Volunteer at Stepney City Farm: on site animal carer; raised chickens as therapy animals, assisted on 8 week enrichment course at a local dementia home as part of the farms Outreach program; social time with the local community at on site weekly Friday social club ‘Furry Tales,’ represented the farm at community festivals, interaction and education of the public on the farms work


[Feb-Jul 2017]

Activities Volunteer at South East London Vision (SELVis), social role in all guiding and facilitating: facilitated 3 meal socials, acted as a guide for tactile tour of Parliament, yoga class, jazz theatre show and helped facilitate a four hour practical Drama workshop with Extant Theatre Company