A big Vamos welcome to Hazel Ratcliffe, who has joined the team to oversee our Strategic Touring Project.

Hazel has worked in Social and Health Care for over thirty years. As a qualified nurse, psychotherapist and social worker, she has worked with most client groups, but more intensively with people living with dementia, those with learning disabilities and in mental health. Hazel will be managing the various elements that make up our Arts Council funded Strategic Touring Project, including Care Home tours of Sharing Joy, workshops, talks, and events.

Hazel has been an Associate Specialist in Learning and Development for the Association for Dementia Studies since 2010 at Worcester University. She is a Dementia Champion and has worked closely with communities over the past five years building awareness and reducing stigma around memory loss.  She also co - founded ‘Buddies’, a support group for people living with dementia, run by people living with dementia. As such, Hazel is in an ideal position to support Vamos in its work with people living with dementia. As Hazel explains ,

"Having first seen Finding Joy several years ago and being bowled over by the sheer power of the production, I've had a secret hankering ever since to be involved with Vamos! And blow me down, now i am....as Strategic Touring Project Manager. I've already been in contact with lots of lovely, dedicated and dynamic people from theatre companies to Care Home managers, activity co coordinators, and a new role to me  - Bar Host… some people get all the best gigs!  Large, small, city or rural, everyone is committed to the same message; to make people living with dementia’s lives better and as full with as much JOY as possible.  So spread the word about this amazing project which includes Sharing Joy, Listening with Your Eyes and Finding Joy.”

We’re delighted to welcome Hazel to the Vamos team.