One of my greatest joys is holding space for others. I love to create and facilitate safe, welcoming, inclusive environments that support people sharing their talents and exploring ideas
For me, whether I’m introducing acts on the main stage at a festival, or facilitating a drama workshop for those at the edges of society, it’s all about sensing the needs in the room and creating and holding space for those, so that everyone’s work can be appreciated and people feel safe to let their creativity flow
Hosting as an MC
As an experienced event MC, it’s always my focus to keep the audience engaged, informed, and entertained throughout the event, adapting to any situation to ensure things run smoothly – and that’s included everything from improvising a headtorch as a spotlight when the generator went out at a festival, to stopping a dog attacking a harp at an open mic night.
I regularly run open mic events and MC for festivals and events nationally and internationally. My Busking Nights with Lady J and Tales n Tunes nights are known for their warm and supportive atmosphere which I bring to my open mic and MC-ing duties at festivals such as Primadonna, FolkEast, Harlequin Fayre and the International Storytelling Festival in Marrakech
I absolutely love hosting events and my audiences tell me that that’s evident in my passion and energy and the way I make sure everyone has a good time – and my appropriately fabulous hosting outfits!
Hosting Discussion Panels
My hosting extends to facilitating and chairing panel discussions also – managing different contributors inputs, fielding questions from the audience, bringing together different ideas and weaving them together as provocations and questions for the panel and audience to consider, and bringing discussions to a clear and satisfying close – on time!
Workshop Facilitation
Then there’s my workshop facilitation, both online and in person, in storytelling, drama, improv, autistic advocacy and the application of those in different contexts.
As a facilitator, my approach blends creativity and intuition with planned strategy – having a structure that can adapt in the moment to the needs of the participants. My facilitation style is grounded in the belief that everyone has the potential to access their innate wisdom and creativity, and my job is to support them in releasing whatever is getting in the way of them doing that. There’s a playfulness to my facilitation style that allows people to relax into their learning and exploration and come away with a clear sense of progress and direction for themselves.
If you’d like to find out more, or enquire about booking me to host your event or discussion, or facilitate a workshop, please do drop me a line at