Our Team
Lisa Harrison
My background is in theatre. I love facilitating experiences which excite curiosity, stimulate the imagination, generate playful connections and well-being - particularly with people who don’t normally engage with the arts.
I’m interested in exploring ways in which we can deepen our understanding of each other using the arts, thereby building stronger communities. I’ve worked in educational, medical and community settings with people from all backgrounds and of all ages and abilities. Everything I do is participant-driven.
I am also a funeral celebrant and I co-deliver communication skills training for healthcare professionals.
Louise Bardgett
I am a movement practitioner who enjoys blending art forms and collaborating with different artists. I am interested in using movement to find new ways to express and communicate with one another when cognitive behaviours fail us, and in particular working non-verbally and in the moment.
What I love about Creative Age is seeing the positive impacts on health – exercising body & mind, the sense of enjoyment, playfulness and fun. Moving together allows us to connect, create and share., valuing each person as an individual as well as a whole group.
I have worked as a Dance Development Worker and Creative Education Manager across the North West, East and West Midlands before settling in Gloucestershire. I was involved in the Courtyard Theatre’s Creative Ageing programme from which Open Arms was founded. When I’m not involved in Open Arms, I work as a Programme Manager with Create Gloucestershire.
Claire Coaché
I am Artistic Director of Open Sky Theatre. As a graduate of Ecole Lecoq in Paris and former Co-Artistic Director of award-winning RedCape Theatre, my expertise and passion is in the creation of physical theatre: directing, performing, devising, self-producing and teaching. Based in rural Herefordshire, we draw our stories from the real world and the experiences of real people. Whether devised or scripted, in-depth research and authentic reference points are vital to the process.
I have delivered multiple projects for Courtyard Hereford’s award winning Creative Ageing programme from 2015-19 as a facilitator and trainer. In 2019 I directed Turtle Key’s ‘Turtle Song Gloucester’ dementia choir as part of Three Choirs Festival. Over the last few years I have been exploring the magic of therapeutic clowning with Lisa Harrison and the Open Arms Collective.
Marie-Louise Flexen
I am passionate about working with older people and find great joy and connection through using my skills and creativity in dance, physical theatre and singing. I like to engage with participants In a way that allows them to be more than a passive audience observing entertainment.
I first met Louise & Lisa through the Making Of Me - a project produced by The Courtyard in Hereford - that mentored artist placements in OSJCT care homes. The artists involved met regularly to share, reflect and feedback on their experiences and learning.
I’m excited about working with Open Arms because of my passion for collaboration and combined arts and wanting to find fresh and new ways to bring creativity to older people. I want to reach more older people and bring the gifts of improved wellbeing, joy, laughter, tears, connection, reflection & reminiscence, which I believe the arts can do.
Fiona Taylor
I am a musician who loves how live and improvised music can facilitate a sense of togetherness, wellbeing, fun, emotional expression and connection in diverse groups of people.
My background is in classical music, with over 15 years of playing the flute in professional orchestras in London. I first worked with the team at Open Arms as a music therapist (for Mindsong), and absolutely loved how the collaboration created such a beautiful space for individuals living with dementia and their carers to thrive and express themselves in community.
More recently I’ve been working as a composer (writing music for BBC’s Countryfile, Gardeners’ World, Winterwatch and Changing Planet) and had the privilege of working with Creative Age again, including recording participants singing and playing and weaving their sounds into musical tracks for live sharing.
Lydia Kenny
I am a multi-disciplinary actor-musician, playing saxophones and violin. I’ve played several concertos with orchestras around Gloucestershire, and narrated the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra’s children’s concert series, as well as toured with Music for Miniatures, Red Dog Theatre, Curious Move Theatre, School of Music Live.
I enjoy bringing music to the community, and have worked with Gloucestershire Academy of Music and Cheltenham Music Festival Outreach. I’ve also curated the concert series ‘Live on the Drive’ during lockdown 2020 bringing neighbouring streets together with music.
I’m excited to join Open Arms as an associate artist to explore the connections music, improvisation and the arts can have particularly, with people living with dementia.
Gemma Bolwell
I am a drama practitioner who has worked in theatres, schools and community settings. I love devising and embarking on creative journeys, whether alone or with others, and I enjoy the richness of different artists and art forms coming together.
I believe that everyone benefits from participating in creative activities, and am always moved to see how arts-rich experiences can uplift and transform individuals in the moment, as well as building a sense of community steeped in trust and acceptance. As a newcomer to Creative Age, I am humbled by the joy which takes hold when participants step together into a world of imagination!
Ally Goff
Community arts is at the centre of my practice, encouraging the benefits of creativity for health and wellbeing. I first became involved with Open Arms following an introduction at an artist networking meeting. My mother died two years ago from vascular dementia, so it is something I have first hand knowledge of. I understand how alienating, frustrating and debilitating this condition can be. The work that Open Arms does provides a safe space that is relaxed, friendly and welcoming allowing for personal expression. The joy, love and compassion these sessions evoke is amazing, as well as the creative talents of all those involved, be it art, literature, music, dance or drama.
For me it has been a privilege to be a part of this amazing and invaluable venture.