The Kaur Aura Podcast
A podcast created to share uplifting content and positive narratives that motivate and empower people to improve their well-being and self-development and wholeheartedly embrace their true, authentic selves.
The Kaur Aura Podcast
Shine Arts: Creating safe and inclusive spaces for neurodivergent creatives
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Satveer Kaur explores the inclusive world of Shine Arts and Wellbeing, a creative community space dedicated to neurodivergent individuals and those with additional needs, through conversations with founder Louise and several group members.
• Founded in 2022 as a Community Interest Company (CIC) by Louise, a former art teacher with 20 years of experience
• Creates a safe, supportive environment where neurodivergent individuals can express themselves creatively and build social connections
• Publishes their own magazine showcasing members' artwork, writing, and photography
• Collaborates with local organisations on public art installations and community projects
• Offers a variety of activities including painting, crafts, British Sign Language, and wellbeing sessions provided by Kaur Aura
• Members like Quinton, Max, Sian, and Ashley share their personal experiences of growth, confidence-building, and finding belonging
• Max discusses his successful YouTube channel Rexel Jet where he shares his illustrations
• The group provides opportunities for members to showcase their talents through exhibitions, community events, and collaborations
• Addresses the critical gap in support for neurodivergent young adults after they leave educational settings at age 18
• Future vision includes establishing a permanent hub where members can gather, create, and potentially find employment opportunities
For those interested in joining or supporting Shine Arts and Wellbeing, visit www.shinearts.co.uk, email info@shinearts.co.uk, or find them on Facebook (Shine Arts & Well-Being) and Instagram (@shine_well2).
Introduction to Core Aura Podcast
Speaker 1Hi guys, welcome, welcome to another episode of the Core Aura Podcast. My name is Satvi Kaur and I've created this podcast to share uplifting, positive narratives, to motivate, encourage others to work on their own well-being, work on their own self-development and just really come out there and be and embrace their true, authentic, self. Right. Who would not want that? Absolutely, we agree with that. We agree with that, thank you. So, guys, I mentioned in a previous podcast episode. I spoke about an amazing, amazing group that I'm working with and I have been for the past year. This group is dedicated to providing inclusive expressive spaces for people with additional needs, with a special focus on neurodivergent individuals. So I'm now joined with the founder of Shine Arts and Wellbeing and one of their amazing members. So welcome, Louise and Quinton.
Speaker 2Absolute pleasure to be on your podcast. Thanks for inviting us.
Speaker 1Oh, no worries at all. I just had to you guys with obviously we work together and just the amazing things you're doing, the amazing group that you are I really wanted to highlight it and bring the awareness to it and just the amazing things that you're doing for the community. Do you know what I mean? So I had to had to bring you guys on so louise just to start off. Just give us a quick background to who you are and what you're all about, and then we'll take it from there okay, so shine.
Speaker 2Arts and well-being is a group that's aimed to support and help neurodivergent young adults and older adults and anybody with an additional need. So my background was that I was an art teacher for just under 20 years, then a special needs teacher, but came out of that kind of quite you know, restricted educational system, if you like, wanted to do something a bit more free, a bit more creative, a bit more individual. So I started in 2022. In September, I started what's called a CIC, which is a community interest company. So we are like a charity in the sense that we're non-profits, but we don't have a board of trustees.
Speaker 2And you know, I'm the founder and I actually just mainly I'm very blessed with lots of volunteers, so volunteers come in and help me. We do art, craft, wellbeing, we go on trips. We collaborate with lots of volunteers, so volunteers come in and help me. We do art, craft, well-being, we go on trips, we we collaborate with lots of other local projects. We we just try and do some really impactful work which obviously brings out the talents of the group members but also brings them together, and that kind of is key, and I know that quinton's a huge fan of both what you do and what we do. So he wanted to be first on the interview list.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's very, very awesome and I wanted to ask with creating such an amazing space, what inspired you to start it all in the first place?
Speaker 2well, really it was just a kind of natural progression, where that, where, wherein, when I was teaching in mainstream schools even then because that's how I started I would have a lot of people coming in at break and lunch and they would gravitate towards the art department and, and as we sort of got, I got to know those people we'd realize that quite a lot of them were neurodivergent, and it made me realize that they they needed a certain kind of space that they weren't finding on the playground or amongst other peers in the school. Sometimes they were isolated, sometimes they were bullied, but sometimes, you know, they just were very, very creative and that's why they wanted to be in the art department and it sort of just falls into place in my mind. I then went into special needs and again, you know that that was a great experience, very, very educational for me, good, good for my training. But you also have quite a lot of restrictions there on how you can do things. And then I realised that when these young people were getting to 18, they were in a kind of special needs college or school and the provision up to that point has been brilliant. But as soon as they hit 18, it's like off, you go into the world and we know that neurodivergent people, particularly aut, particularly autists autistic people, are the least employed amongst all of the disabilities and I was just seeing people getting isolated and I found that really hard to see.
Speaker 2I got involved in a project you know myself and started to try and help out in that way. But then I thought I can do this under my own steam. I can make my own, I can bring my art knowledge into it. And that's how it began just trying to get people engaged who would otherwise be a little bit marginalised in society and also celebrating neurodiversity, because you know there is so much talent out there.
Speaker 2Sometimes people find it hard to promote themselves, but I can be that person that sort of promotes them and be a voice at times when people don't feel they have a voice, if you like. But yeah, it was really. It's been really amazing. And then meeting people like yourself, because once you get into the community world you realise there's so much more out there than just schools and colleges. There's all these other people that want to do amazing things. They all want to collaborate with each other and it's I've never dreamt that I'd be able to do as much as I've been able to do and have so many great people wanting to help me out with it too.
Quinton's Experience at Shine
Speaker 1It's been amazing, amazing, and that's what it is, and that's why you've just highlighted, that's why it's so important to create these spaces for these individuals, because it's definitely needed and it's really benefiting you guys, isn't it? So, quinton, let's have a quick intro to you and I want to ask you a bit about Shine. So this is the amazing Quinton. And Quinton, how long have you been at Shine? For the whole time?
Speaker 2The whole time 2022. Started the first day Since the first day isn't it yeah?
Speaker 1Yeah, wow, so you're one of the OGs? Yeah, I guess yeah.
Speaker 4And tell me, quinton, what is it that you love about this group? I feel safe, happy, all nice, kind people.
Speaker 2Safe, and happy, yeah, and around like-minded people, I think.
Speaker 1That's it, and that's what a lot of boys have, haven't they? That they find it such a safe space and almost like their second family, and that's what's amazing, yeah.
Speaker 2Yeah, I find that it's like overwhelming in a way, Like I feel a lot of responsibility thinking that people think that about the group.
Speaker 1Yeah, it's wonderful oh, it's amazing and like since working with you guys as well, you can really feel that what you've created and you can see it amongst the members. They speak so highly of you and just the connection they've made amongst themselves.
Speaker 2Some of them knew each other before and some didn't, but there's definitely been a lot okay. Yeah, there's definitely been a lot of friendship strengthened and there's been several new people that have come. I mean, as an example, we have a member I won't mention names, but this particular member had been very isolated and hadn't actually really ventured out of her house since 2020 and the whole lockdown had knocked her confidence terribly. Before that, she'd had a bad experience at college as well I mentioned bullying and things like that and she just became very introverted. Oh well, nothing wrong with being introverted, but isolated. And then she found out about the group through another mutual community group that I know of, but they didn't offer anything in terms of meeting together in a group as such. So they said right, she's very arty, I can direct it towards you.
Speaker 2And she came along to the group in 2022 and within a few months, we had sitting and talking to people which, before she was pretty much selected, mute, showing her artwork to other people, then selling her artwork on a store that shine were running, then starting her own craft website, then selling her work on her own craft stores and being a member of the group and coming you know regularly, and it was like a complete life do-over and I thought, you know, I didn't dream that. I knew that it would be good for people to socialize together and to be creative. But you know, just that particular story always makes me goosebumps, because you sort of think you know how many more people are alone in their own house, not wanting to come out. You know that is that sort of agoraphobia is rife amongst your divergent people and you just want to find a way through. That, like the, walking through the door for the first time is the big one.
Speaker 1Once they've been one, most of them stay, which is wonderful yeah, and it's the confidence and growth in them that's amazing to see. Do you know what I mean? What you're creating here? It's very much. Yeah, I'm proud of them.
Speaker 2Yeah, it's. It's not easy to come and do this when the neurotypical world doesn't always get neurodiverse people, neurodivergent people, so that yeah credit to you, Quincy.
Speaker 1Yeah to the members. They're amazing. Who would you say Shine Arts and Wellbeing is for, Like? What makes it unique? Obviously those with additional needs and neurodivergent, but you have a lot of creative individuals in there, like artists. What would you say makes your group unique?
Speaker 2Well, I think that there's a lot of groups out there and they provide the social side maybe, but I think, because I'm so passionate about art and my educational background, they're getting, but they're taking very seriously as artists and we do things that can be quite in-depth or meaty in subject matter. So it isn't just like we make craft, we'll do something that can be quite in-depth or meaty in subject matter. So it isn't just like we make craft, we'll do something that's related to local history, or it's like celebrating our culture, or it's about multicultural and it relates to things that they feel really passionate about justice issues, or we've also written together and we've penned a whole story and illustrated it, which is hopefully getting printed soon. We We've help me out, quinton. What have we done? We've been all over the place. We've been out doing street art, haven't we?
Speaker 4Yeah, shoe box.
Speaker 2We did the shoe box, the graffiti piece alongside another group. So I think what makes us different is the breadth of different things we do.
Speaker 4And we do our magazine.
Speaker 2We publish our own magazine. So actually we do. I mean, we do our magazine, we publish our own magazine. So actually I mean we just do what comes naturally. I suppose what the things that I feel comfortable that I can offer and suggest to people and those people. If people in the group like it, then we'll run with it, if they don't, we'll drop it. But there's quite a lot going on, and the well-being, which is where you come in.
Speaker 2And the British Sign Language. That's my favourite. Yes, yes, as soon as I started teaching it, which actually quite a while ago in a previous project I worked at, but he just took it on like that. He already knew a little bit of Makaton, but he was just a natural. Why do you think BSL suits you? What's good about it?
Speaker 4If people don't understand my speech, I can use BSL, and it makes it easier for people to understand me.
Speaker 2So yeah, if people don't understand, because obviously you've got a speech management and that you can use the sign alongside so it's like supporting the speech. Can you do some BSL?
Speaker 1Please do.
Speaker 2Yeah, definitely. What should we do? Shall we just do how are you, how are you, you and then you, I don't know. Great day.
Speaker 1Louise, I don't know what happened there. Your background had fireworks Thumbs up when you were doing how Are you? There was fireworks. Oh, that was so funny though it looked really good.
Speaker 2I wish I could make it happen again, but I don't know how I did that. No idea how I did that.
Speaker 1So Quintin, show us that again. So how Are you show us how I did that? No idea how I did that, so Quinton, show us that again. So how are you Show us how to do that?
Speaker 2Should we do? I'm fantastic. I'm fantastic. We did fireworks again. Get him.
Speaker 1He can make fireworks. Wow, that's amazing. Look how magical your BSL is. I love that.
Speaker 2There you are. That's right. I said he was a superstar, but we're going to do a bit of a turnabout. Yeah, no, okay, so that.
Speaker 1Quinton can eat Just before you go, quinton, because we're going to have various members popping in and out guys. Quinton, in one word, how would you describe Shine?
Speaker 2Arts and Wellbeing Group. Amazing, I love that. I like that. I'm pleased with that. That is a result.
Speaker 1If they're happy, I'm happy, it is definitely and you can really see it. But no, Quinta, thank you for coming on and I just appreciate you so much.
Speaker 4I know, I know you do Give it away, goodbye.
Speaker 1Bless oh.
Speaker 2Bye, bye, quint, you have some lunch, look.
Max Shares His Artistic Journey
Speaker 1We've got another member with us, so welcome Max, Are you okay? Yeah?
Speaker 5I'm all right.
Speaker 1Thank you for coming on like seriously. As much as speaking to Louise, I thought it would be so great to speak to members as well of the group and just to hear from you guys and tell me your opinions and how you feel about it.
Speaker 5I'm quite a fan of Coming to Shine because I like doing types of art that I'm not normally used to doing or sometimes wouldn't think to do. Yeah, it's a good opportunity to get some of my work printed in the magazine as well.
Speaker 1Yeah, because tell us about your accomplishments. Actually, because you're the illustrator, aren't you of the group?
Speaker 5Yeah, I do a two-page comic strip for each issue of the magazine.
Speaker 1Amazing and tell us about as well, whilst we've got you on here, max, because I've recently learned this from coming to the talent show recently of you guys and your YouTube channel. Let us know about that.
Speaker 5Yeah, so this was something, this was an idea I first had well earlier in the year, because for Christmas last year, my brother got me a drawing tablet which has where you can get a program for it, where you can draw, and it allows you to record time lapses of you drawing, whatever you're drawing. And then that gave me the idea, because I've got a YouTube channel from years ago that I used to use just for basically a a bit of everything, but mostly train related stuff. I uh, um thinking I might as well revitalize this and since I'm between jobs at the moment, it means I can um, make, make a bit of make a bit of money on the side. Um, obviously I'm not doing it just for money.
Speaker 2I do it because I enjoy it and uh yeah, it's quite incredible and and we only only came to light because we were having this talent show for fun at shine and we didn't really realize that there was a whole new kind of a youtube channel thing that max had been up to, called Rexel Jet, and it's all about kind of reimagining stories from, because it's a bit of a fandom thing to do with not just trains but Thomas the Tank, but in a really kind of new way, whereas he's making the stories much more quirky and interesting and like out there different scenarios that could have happened but didn't. And then Max draws them and the quality of the drawing is absolutely amazing. And I don't know if you noticed, but on rex or jet the followers are in there. I mean, there's a couple of thousand, isn't there, or more I think it's like 15 000 or something what is that?
Speaker 2is that the whole thing? So he's got 15 000. I didn't even know something along those lines, yeah so you can see the popularity of it.
Speaker 2So we were all saying you know that it's better than the original artwork. To be honest with you, no, it really was. It's amazing. Yeah, and you won the talent show because of that, didn't you? You got a whole prize. Well, that's the great thing, you see, about the group is that we have a talent show fun, and it's not. You know, people do sing, people do dance and all the rest of it. But you don't have to If you're not someone who likes to be on stage. Literally bring your artwork, show your artwork or show it on the screen, and you know it is a different way of presenting yourself. You see, and everyone was just stunned at how amazing the quality was, so talented unbelievable, very so guys.
Speaker 1So talented unbelievable, very so guys. Anybody listening, please follow because an amazing channel.
Speaker 2I've recently followed you on there, so, um, you're so artwork is incredible, rexel, sorry x e l j e t rexel jet youtube on youtube are amazing, so please, anybody listening.
Speaker 1So, max, whilst you're here, I just want to ask you some more questions about being in the group. So with with the group, then how being part of it, because how long have you been with the group for?
Speaker 5again, sorry, Well, I suppose I've, I guess, sort of since it started, although sometimes I've. There are times that I've been attending more regularly than others.
Speaker 2Yeah, you were there in 2022.
Speaker 5Yeah, because I designed the logo.
Speaker 2Yeah, that's right. If you look at the poster, that's right behind you all all the logos um the stars and the the ron. We call him ron because he represents a new ron in the brain, and the whole idea was that he represented the. He was the mascot for the magazine, and that was designed in 2023, I think, so he's been on the scene every year since we began.
Speaker 1And how does it make you feel Like? What does this group bring to you?
Speaker 5Well, I suppose, like I said before, opportunities, I think, is a word that I'd use, and I guess being able to meet people that are like, yeah, social, yes, yeah, so social. And also getting to meet other people that might be interested in my work, like making connections with the civic society and also, just recently, the people from the green patch that's right yeah maybe there's even an opportunity there, you know exactly there's, there's opportunities.
Speaker 2We, like I was saying a bit earlier, um sat here. It's like we, we love to work with other groups and other organizations and companies like yours, and we just literally came back from green patch, ketrin, which is a community garden, and we just went there with our sketchbooks today and I like to pack a lot in because we were down there for just over an hour and they've done some lovely drawings and we're down there, we met the chickens and we kind of got involved in the gardens and sort of saw it out in the sun. It's a beautiful day, so trying to do as much as we can, but, as Max says, I mean they might want artwork that he could produce or the group could produce down there.
Speaker 1Very, yeah, anything and everything, really and everything really, and the opportunities it's bringing you, and it will bring you so much more, and that's what it's all about collaborating within the community, it's just. It benefits us all. Do you know what I mean? So that's amazing, max. I just wanted to ask as well. So if someone was thinking about joining the group, what would you tell them? What are?
Speaker 5the benefits I? What are the benefits? I think if someone wants to join, I think they'll be meeting a great group of people. Regardless of what their interests are, they're going to be welcomed.
Speaker 2I hope that is what people get from it, that regardless of your interests you're in really, because it's like with new reverse magazine, we have articles on everything and you can think of and we try and tailor the whole magazine around different people's interests. So it's not me taking people and saying you must fit our mold, it's more like we'll fit around them.
Speaker 1I hope so anyway yeah, and you guys yeah, I did notice that about the group. It is what the group collectively wants to do, and you kind of put that in place and make it happen, don't you? So it's all about working together. And then also, guys, just with our well-being sessions. Obviously, I've been working with you guys for like the past year it's crazy, that's been a year. The well-being sessions that I've offered, like, what have you gained anything from it? What do you like about them?
Speaker 2Definitely. Oh wow, loads, just amazing. It's just an absolute godsend that Sat V contacted us, because you know my skill set as much as at the beginning I wanted it to be about well-being and I put that in our title because it meant so much to me, because I know from my own experience, like family experience and so on, that like well-being and mental health is really crucial, especially within the neurodivergent community, because a lot of people suffer in silence, you know, and anxiety can be a lot higher than a typical person. But even though I wanted it to be there, it's not my area. I'm an art teacher, you know, originally, and a special needs teacher, and so when you said, oh, I've got like a health and well-being company, I was like hallelujah, I mean, it was, it was amazing.
Speaker 2And then you come along and you've got. You gather everyone around you and you really delve into different issues that are to do with people's. You know mindsets or habits or maybe self-esteem or it could just be simple like life skills, and then you make it fun. I mean let's talk about how we can be our best selves, and I think simple things you do. You just make everyone really happy, like if you've got a quiz. Let's not just write down abc on a piece of paper. You put stations around the room. You've got to run to abc, you've got to get involved. I mean, what, what's your? Because you're the one kind of doing these things. Max, what did you think of all those sessions?
Speaker 5Yeah, I thought it was definitely an interesting spin on the idea of a quiz.
Speaker 2Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 5Yeah, and ones that sometimes relate more to thoughts and opinions than necessarily facts.
Speaker 2Yeah, that's right. Yeah, it's quite good because people's answers do open up their view of the world, which is interesting to learn. But it's one of those things where some people, like you, safi, have a really straightforward idea there that we're going to move to the answers. But it's not that straightforward because I just wouldn't have thought of it. You've got the obvious little gem of an idea and also it ties in with what you teach about movement and the body and how important it is to kind of enjoy your own being happy and alive in your own skin. So we're not always that down and, of course, as artists, we do a lot of sitting down. So that was one element that I love. But also you've just got a very empathetic way about you and I think people took to that very quickly, just on a sort of yeah, intuitive level. Yeah, and you brought a lot, oh yeah, and they love the smoothies, the shakes and all that sort of thing.
Speaker 1Yeah, oh, I love it and I honestly love the connection we've made, like how you said it was God sent. I feel the same way and, honestly, when I first met you guys and the way you embraced me and it was just amazing. You were so lovely and warm to me and just I'm learning so much from you guys, like seriously, it's just the best and I'll come sometimes when I'm not doing a session, just if I need time out. I'll come and attend a session because you guys make me feel so good and it's just the best thing ever, honestly, like as much as like it's a business. We're working together in that sense, honestly, genuinely care for the group and I want you guys as well to see me as your friends. It's just been such an amazing connection into my life, personal life. It's been amazing.
Speaker 2Definitely to my life. Personal life been amazing. Definitely, I feel the same. I think that a really there's something to be said for for crossing specialisms as well. Like you know, I guess some people would say we're an art and craft group, we're going to do anything related to arts, but we're not going to go down that route of doing, let's say, meditation or something. But my answer to that is why not? Because variety is the spice of life, isn't it so? And also, you don't know what's going to help you personally until you try.
Speaker 2Um, I think it's speaking, you know, as a parent of somebody with autism as well, and as people you know, people I know, and so on. Sometimes it feels so much safer to stay doing the thing you always do. It's your safe zone. But meeting someone like you and doing some of the things we've done with you, it pushes even me out of my safe zone sometimes, and that's really healthy. I'll just try something that I wouldn't have actually done before and then you think, actually that's my new favorite thing. You know, for example, maybe maybe you just you know, yeah, that was fine, but I'll go back to my drawing, whatever. But it's just try things, isn't it?
Speaker 1that's the thing that's it anything that's going to better our health, well-being and make us just feel better overall. Do you know what I mean? So, max, in one word or one sentence, how would you describe uh, shine arts and well-being group?
Speaker 5that's group.
Speaker 2This will be good, but it'll be good. He's very good with words, not to put you on the spot. Yeah, I'm trying to think we need a drum roll, isn't it?
Speaker 1Yeah, or your fireworks, yeah, I know.
Speaker 2Should we try and make that happen again?
Speaker 5No, I'm just trying to think of a word.
Speaker 2Just don't go for the obvious options. Never it's going to be good.
Speaker 5Yeah, I was going to say because I was trying to think of a noun like whatever the noun form of artistic is and I wasn't sure whether it was like artisticness or maybe artisan.
Speaker 2I love those. We're starting a new movement. Yeah, the artistic spectrum, the artistic that's what we're about 're starting a new movement. Yeah, that's the, yeah, the artistic spectrum.
Speaker 1Yeah, the artistic, that's what we're about not the autistic spectrum, the artistic spectrum. Hello, I'm not, that's gonna be a new word going forward.
Speaker 2I do often say people, my favorite people I work with, and they're the artistic autistics, so I think we're going to get another guest in in a moment, so say we'll say bye to max.
Speaker 5Thanks very much thanks for having me on and, uh, if, if anyone's watching, then you know what channel to subscribe to r-e-x-e-l-j-e-t yeah, that's youtube. Go to it now yeah, that's entirely, if you want to people will want to when they see that what's there.
Speaker 1It's amazing and honestly, max, thank you so much for coming on as well and sharing what you have and people please do follow him.
Speaker 5Yeah, I've really, really enjoyed being on here.
Speaker 2Brilliant, that's good. He's an incredible narrator on his YouTube channel. Yeah, he narrates all of it. Those of you that do go on to Rexall Jet all narrated, all drawn, all theated, all drawn. All the work it's all his own.
Sian's Story and Women's Wellbeing
Speaker 1No AI involved. There you go, it's incredible. Thanks max so much. I'll see you. I'll see you soon. Thank you, thanks, max. I appreciate that. Yes, thank you, sean, and just tell us how long you've been at the shine arts and well being group since it began, I mean like since the very beginning, and sean, tell me what is it that you love about being in the group? Um the socializing and the freedom yeah, and how does it make you feel? Do you enjoy it?
Speaker 4yes, very much, so I love it.
Speaker 2Yeah, I think very much in tune with the universe. She's the ever very spiritual opportunities come along and she grabs them it's a character and a half, aren't you sean? Yeah but we love her for it 100.
Speaker 1Yeah, she's so much fun and just being part of the group like it's the chance for you to just make friends like do you see as well sean, as like a second family just coming together yes, I do good and what type of activities you do each time, like with the sessions. What do you enjoy the most? My sewing.
Speaker 2Uh, we've done sewing before, yeah all sorts of stuff like the clay work. Actually you probably prefer the not, not messy artwork. I'd say yeah, but she'll give anything a go yes, particularly enjoying the current project, becauseian loves fashion and historical fashion, and we're doing work on the Georgian and Regency period. Oh my God.
Speaker 4Yes, I know where to get the outfits from. There's a brand called Secret Darkness. What sells the proper underskirts, the proper you know Like from the 9th century Sian's definitely been passionate about.
Speaker 2It underscores the proper, like you know, like from the 9th century, but this is definitely, yeah, this is a big project. That's kind of about local heroes in history, so I won't go into all the detail on it. But when we said we were working with a film school and that we'll be helping them to make a film about these heroes and I mentioned the word costume, sean comes to life.
Speaker 1Imagine and let's announce on the talent show. Tell us your stage name, sian, come on.
Speaker 4Sian Twain yeah.
Speaker 2And an amazing performance. Well, let's do it, man.
Speaker 4I feel like a woman. I'm feeling all right. I'm going to have a real good time.
Speaker 2So well, not only was she Shiana Twain, later on she was also Shani Spears. Which Britney song did you do? Crazy, you know, with big up girl power.
Speaker 1That's what I say, and Sian tell me as well. Like since working with you at the wellbeing sessions. Have you benefited from them? Have you enjoyed the sessions that I bring you? What do you enjoy especially?
Speaker 4the ones about like you recommending me like supplements and stuff like that, and they've been really helpful to me, like because sometimes because of me being vegetarian, obviously, like I just sometimes do struggle with nutrition we've got coming up, we're going to focus more on a women's well-being session amongst us guys, so that's something to look forward to.
Speaker 2So yeah, wherever it's that lady time, lady time listening to your podcast actually recently, sat there is made me realize how passionate I am about that, because, obviously, you know, not, not I don't want to bring anything negative into this but women, you know, have had a hard time over the years and and sometimes we're encouraged to compete when actually we should be doing the exact opposite, which is, you know, support and, yeah, encourage and build up and and about how hold up health.
Speaker 2Yeah, health is definitely most important definitely, and if you're a neurodivergent woman, even more so, because you've all you know, you've got, you've got the kind of disadvantage of being a woman in the world. Let's face it, there is still misogyny out there like yeah, because sometimes your mood and your temperature and your well-being can fluctuate according to different factors.
Speaker 1Women's stuff exactly, and that's what, like you said, it does need to be highlighted more, and we do need to come together more in women's spaces and speak of our experiences and just support one another, empower one another, like you said, but as women, like when we enter these different stages but it's great talking about it because we'll definitely do a project about health but at the end of the day, people, you know, women do have a complexity of issues which men don't have and it's really important to be mindful of that, because sometimes that gets reduced in society and you know, it gets kind of almost made fun of and that is not okay.
Speaker 2Thinking about perimenopausal time and menopausal time, which I'm sort of going into that that's not really been broached properly by barely anyone in society. Companies are only just beginning to make a little bit of special measures for it. This is debilitating for some women. It really is Huge. So that's one thing and it can go on for your whole life. You don't have to be menopausal. But we just want to be positive. And the great thing about Shine Arts and Wellbeing is we've got a lot of allies. We've got people in the group who are men but totally support us, don't they? So we're 50 50. There's a lot of that.
Speaker 1We're mutually supportive that's it, and it's nice as well for us to come together in a mixed group to voice a women's experiences, so men are more aware of our experiences, just as much as we can learn from them. It's really important for them to learn about. Well, we do go for women as women, because it can be a lot.
Speaker 2It is ever such a lot. And again, I'll keep flying that flag for neurodivergence. It can be magnified a hundredfold by having, for example, autism or ADHD or all DHD, because the hormones are all over the place and your anxiety levels are elevated anyway in some of these cases and it's a different brain type. So when you go through stages as a woman, you might react slightly differently hormonally. To a neurotypical woman that can make it even more complicated, because I mean especially I know of the teenagers that are neurodivergent and it's almost like having a special thing the phase, the phase, like all teenagers go through a phase. But it's even more important because it's kind of like I mean to cling on to, as they call it, a special interest.
Speaker 2I actually hate that expression, but that's kind of what I'm talking about and it helps you through, doesn't it? Correct me if I'm wrong, sian, but sometimes what they're missing is the peers to be able to talk about what they're going through. It almost becomes like, right, I'm into this band or I'm into this thing, and it's giving me a feeling of protection. But it would be nice if more more autistic people, for example, were able to talk about that experience between themselves. It's not like they're all having exactly the same experience, but everyone gets lonely regardless of Shakespeare's um the music be the food of love.
Speaker 2Play on music can be a wonderful companion. I've got to be honest. That's true, definitely, but here we almost always have music on when we're doing our art and craft, and that is like another source of joy Meow it is and Leonardo. Bach Vinci. I think we're talking about Sian's love of animals, pets and music and combining them together there. Wow Jokes, was that what it was?
Speaker 4Yeah, jokes.
Speaker 2Was there something about Mozart there? Meow-sart, meow Mozart there, meow-sart, meow-sart, meow-sart. I do. If you love art, music and cats, we end up with meow-sart yeah.
Speaker 1You could just tell the fun that you guys have. I love this. I want people to see this.
Speaker 2Yeah, she's such a great character.
Speaker 1She is so lively honestly, but that's great. She's such a great character. She is so lively honestly, but that's another great thing as well. Like other than being in the group, you socialize as well outside of it, like I've attended as well some of your social events. It's beyond the group there's so much more.
Speaker 2It is because that's that's like how we feel about each other. We're we're friends as well as arty people. But one of the things that I that I'd love that we did was that there was a charity ball that was being run by the hospital in kettering that has been run specifically by the department that were heading up sort of special needs and autism, and they wanted to raise money for that area. So I thought, well, you know, there's nothing closer to our hearts here. And it's a red carpet, full, three-course dinner, black tie. It was like that. And I said to the group how many of you have been to an event like that? And I don't think there were any hand. There might be one hand up no one. No, we went, yeah, and and we went because I was able, through funding, to subsidize their ticket. So you know, the ticket was an amount and and they paid like one third of that and then they got the full. You know, being treated like royalty for the night or like celebrities, and let me tell you, she can work the red carpet. So that's an experience that I hope they got.
Speaker 2Do the Royal Wave? The Royal Wave. We have to do the Royal Wave, come on On a kind of more grounded level. Why don't you tell everyone listening what we did for artwork today? What did we do today?
Speaker 4We did cut out like those cutty Silhouettes. So you draw the side of your face like as if you were cut down the middle.
Speaker 2We are looking at this Georg georgian theme and in the georgian era there were lots of portraits, small portraits that were done as silhouettes in a profile of that person largely quite important people, but it could be anyone and basically they've been drawing and learning how to draw in profile and how to make that look georgian, you know, kind of bows in big hair and the dresses the women wore, and they've really enjoyed that.
Speaker 2It's quite accessible as well because you don't have to worry about details. Get in the face and it's just literally a shadow, a silhouette. They will go in frames, they will get displayed and then they will get filmed by a film school who will use the sequence of filming those silhouettes in part of the film they're making about local heroes. We're also producing something very meaningful in terms of the work at the same time, so celebrating people who've done amazing things, one guy called sancho that we're celebrating, who is going to feature in these artworks, who was the first black voter in britain and he was helped to achieve that by one of our local heroes, the Duke of Montague back in the 18th century.
Speaker 1Also William Nibb, who helped to abolish slavery amazing stuff, like honestly, and it's just incredible as well to be part of it. But, sian, I just want to say thank you as well for just sharing what you have and being on this podcast. Thank you so much and I look forward to seeing you soon, sian. So just thank you. Yes, you too, and all loves and all loves, forward to seeing you soon, sian.
Speaker 4So just thank you so much. Send all loves, send all loves. Oh bless, thank you.
Speaker 2I've got one more person who probably wants to speak, but he's only got five minutes now.
Speaker 4Thank you, Sian.
Speaker 1Thank you love. Yeah, thanks, sian, take care. So, ashley, how long have you been at the group and what you love about being part of the group?
Speaker 3Since you love about being part of the group, since it's in shape about 2022. One thing I really love about is us being able to come around as a community while constantly talking about mental health. We're doing whatever we like and, yeah, just being open about what we obviously communicate about, while, at the same time, being considerate for one another and trying to make sure we hold on to each other through the worst of times and the best of times.
Speaker 2Quoting Dickens there.
Speaker 3Tale of Two Cities. It is yeah.
Speaker 1Well done you and what type of activities do you enjoy the most being in the group?
Speaker 3Mostly illustrations. I also do enjoy plenty of like history, learning, crafts, lots of different varieties of activities, while at the same time as being able to go to some place that works on with a green patch, which I thought was actually quite nice.
Speaker 1Oh, lovely, and I've seen some of your amazing artwork again from the talent show. The drawing that you did there, it was just like wow, amazing.
Speaker 2Yeah, and his work does almost always appear in our magazine, which will be out by the end of this week.
Speaker 2I'm going to say that right now in faith.
Speaker 2So it's the second of june, so keep your eye out because the newest edition is edition six of new reverse magazine, and I mention it because there's a whole page just dedicated to ashley's drawing. You know, one time we were selling the magazine and he's amazing at selling the magazine we were selling it at Christmas Fair over at Reshton Historical Transport Museum and I bumped into an old art teacher friend of mine who was looking round that night and she bought a magazine and she rang me up at 11 o'clock at night. She knows I stay up late. She rang me up just to say who is this ashley guy? Because his drawings are absolutely incredible and she's the head of art over a mainstream school locally and you know, and also just the talent of the guy in terms of being able to speak to members of the public, you know, been able to, uh, be an advocate for us as a group, an advocate for people who don't, you know, people who are in the margins of society, actually is very passionate about, you know, being their voice and also artists generally.
Speaker 3So he he's just like an ambassador for everything we're trying to do while at the same time being very pro lgbtq and, at the same time, making sure people with different backgrounds should get treated equally and with respect.
Speaker 2And when I talked about having feminists in the group who are men, this is the sort of person I'm talking about. You know having that because we like to be a safe space at Shine, even if you're not arty, it's a safe space for neurodivergent people. Ashley's the sort of person who, if someone new comes into the group, his eyes are on them immediately in terms of making sure they're okay, making sure they're comfortable, making sure that they feel that their needs are met. Just, you know, my work is done. With somebody like Ashley in the group, I don't need to do much.
Speaker 1I felt like that when I first came to work with you guys. Honestly, ashley, you've embraced me so much. You've been so kind and also I've just learned so much from you. You're just so knowledgeable on things that are going on in the world. I've learned so much from you and you're just so empathetic. You're a beautiful soul seriously Working with you our well-being sessions. Do you feel like you benefit from them? Have you been enjoying them so far? What is it that you enjoy?
Speaker 3I mostly enjoy the fact that, like us being able to like not at the same time communicate, but also get our like feelings out and how I feel about what the world is coming to or how it's going on in the world.
Speaker 2Your worries about the world we live in, which is quite right.
Speaker 1Yeah, definitely. And if you could describe in one word or a sentence of the group, describe the group for you, what would you say?
Speaker 3I'd probably describe it like a comradeship, like as if like a massive. Like you, you know the whole. You have a round table and all because they're to be comrades.
Speaker 1We're like that like that camaraderie and we're knights of the knights of the round table yeah wow, isn't it I love that, and actually just quickly because I know you're struck for time, but if someone was thinking about joining the group, what would you tell them to encourage them to join?
Speaker 3I would pretty much encourage them to join, because it's able to not only focus on your strengths, it's also able to help you by what your worries are, how you express them, and it's as I'm going to literally paraphrase something from Rats 2. Anyone can draw, you don't have to be professional.
Ashley on Community and Inclusivity
Speaker 2Anyone can draw, you don't have to be professional. Anyone can draw, you don't have to be professional. That's very true. We do have, you know, a spectrum of confidence in the arts, and confidence in the arts is not as important as confidence in yourself. But I very much believe that the arts will build your confidence if you let it into your life. So we've got people that have degrees in art, we've got a couple of people with a degree in art and we've got other people who probably wouldn't say that they, you know, even enjoy drawing as a hobby. But they'll have a go and they'll have a go when they're with us and they'll surprise themselves very often. You know that's great, and of course art is not just drawing anyway. Although, you know that's great and of course art is not just drawing anyway, although, coming from an education background, it is difficult to come away from that, isn't it it?
Speaker 1is as we both do, yeah and it's just such a creative space for people to come and be themselves and express themselves, and it's a safe space to do that, isn't it?
Speaker 3definitely yeah totally.
Speaker 2Yeah, it is um, but there's so many overlaps, like in what you do, what we do, because, for example, we've got this scheme where we get people doing some cooking on a Monday and we call it shine chefs, and of course, then we can overlap into what you do with, with nutrition, and that's something that overlaps really well. And, as I said at the beginning, the fact that I named it well-being arts and well, and you are a well-being expert um, and everything to do with just staying connected and social, which is a real challenge more and more in this world of AI and social media post pandemic pandemic, the yeah post pandemic.
Speaker 3It's. It's crazy really. It's like as if a lot of people are just trying to think about OK, step into the water, what to do?
Speaker 2But we are together two days a week and we have been for three years and we will continue as long as we can. We are together in person. It's about being together. It's really important, isn't it? Of course it is. Humans are very social creatures. We're so social. Thank you very much thank you so much.
Speaker 3Take care bye bye, see you soon bye.
Speaker 2He had a taxi, so he had to go louise.
Speaker 1What are some of the accomplishments that you and the group are most proud of?
Speaker 2Well, I just think that really it's the collaborations, especially when we, when we get out into the community the magazine, for example when we did that, it was just like wow, we're actually projecting ourselves out into the world now, because we were doing things at the beginning, back in 2022, we were sort of in a community hall in berthelass. We were doing craft and, you know, people didn't. It's like people didn't really know we existed. We're just quite small fry then. And then, as you, um, realized that people wanted to put their work into this magazine and create articles, and then we got that printed and sent out, and then we got funding as well to actually print it for a for a year. You sort of think, oh, somebody else believes in what we're doing and they want to know. And and then the fact that they were writing the articles that they were like oh, I want to write about, you know, space. I want to write about, um, my latest art project. Oh, I want to write about a trip I went on one day. I want to show some photography, I want to show some poetry that I wrote and you think nobody would ever see this if we weren't printing it. And it's brilliant, you know it's so lovely to share it with the world and also, you know, it gave them that sense of importance.
Speaker 2So I think when we started to make the magazine and sell it and have that in various locations and then we started to do community projects, that's what made me most proud because I felt that they were being showcased. You know they were getting out into the wider world and actually it's an accomplishment to do it, because it would have been nerve-wracking for some of them. You know, especially when we went to do collaboration work we went out into the town and we're doing spray art on the streets with the graffiti artists that people were walking past and seeing what they were doing. That takes real guts, you know, for anyone, let alone somebody with a neurodivergence or an anxiety issue, or you know that that has issues with communication or whatever it might be, and yet they were out there doing that. So I'm just so proud of them. That's my proudest moment when they go and do something like that that they weren't expecting to be able to do yes, I can imagine them evolving and growing in confidence as well.
Speaker 1Like you said, they're kind of reluctant to do those things and then to see them embracing it and just be so confident in doing it. It's an amazing sight to see, isn't it? Definitely, yeah, yeah. But have there been any other exhibitions, performances, projects that stand out as major milestones to you guys, or anything coming up even?
Speaker 2yes, um, we have an exhibition of our artwork first, big one, because we have only had four ones, sort of in the library where we meet, but this one is going to be at Wixley Park. It's going to be from the 1st of August and run through most of August, and it will show all the sorts of art projects and maybe even some of our wellbeing projects too showcased in that exhibition for the whole month. And for me, that's going to be the biggest, probably the biggest thing we've ever done, actually, because it shows all those things that were happening week by week that people wouldn't have necessarily known about unless they were on our socials. Because we've got instagram shine underscore well, too, and we've got facebook shine arts and well, um, it's all there on online. But I'm quite a traditionalist and quite old-fashioned and the idea of exhibiting and actually having real work in front of you that you can touch and feel and see we talk a lot about AI and how we're sort of trying to counter it in a way, because real people, real artwork, real artists that's where it's at for us. So, yeah, the exhibition is a big deal coming up. We've got other projects that for us. So, yeah, the exhibition is a big deal coming up.
Speaker 2We've got other projects working with the ketchum civic society in particularly in particular sorry, we're working with them them to work alongside uk film school and make a film which is about local heroes. Again, some of my group might want to feature as actors. Some of them will be making artwork well, all of us will be making artwork to feature in the film. They might get involved in other aspects of filmmaking. We've also been asked to produce artwork to put in Kettering train station.
Speaker 2I mean like permanent work to celebrate Kettering and its history and what it has to offer and all of that. And that was amazing to be given that opportunity because in a way it just related to a project that we did independently about shoes and because that was about Northamptonshire's shoe industry heritage. Other people in the local area who are into history sort of said, oh, would you like to work with us? So it kind of just all happens organically and just by chance that you meet people like meeting you. So we've been given opportunities that from our humble beginnings meeting together and doing a bit of craft together, maybe putting on an exhibition in the local church we're sort of now beginning to really showcase more and more so yeah, it's so lovely to see because that's what it's all about, isn't it?
Speaker 1collaborating within the community, keeping the human connection going, because, like we just touched on an AI, we don't want to go that way too much. Yeah, collaboration is so important, and why is it so important to you?
Speaker 2well, I think that the big shift for us was when we left hiring a hall which was just quite a general sort of community center, that where there wasn't groups that were happening all through the week or anyone particularly at the centre of it. But we moved from there and that was fine to start us off. But we moved from there to the community library that's sort of like owned by the town council in the town where we live, and in that library it's very much not just a library, it's. There was already lots of community groups for young people, elderly people, people, people doing supporting with dementia, people just doing things like hobby scrabble, walking groups were meeting there, tea and coffee mornings, you name it. But when I spoke to the manager, who's a friend of mine from my teaching days, she said we don't have anything for additional needs and I said okay. And she said also, we run from Tuesday to Friday, friday, but we always close the library on a Monday. So I said ah, we meet on a Monday and I said can we hire it? So we, what happened there was because we then became part of a sort of community within a community. Then people got to know us better and then we sort of get offers of oh, would you like us to come and do this with you or that with you?
Speaker 2For example, one of the library volunteers also looks after guide dogs. She brought to look after them before they then go to their forever home, and she also had a litter born this year in January. So she said, oh, you know, I can bring the guide dogs to meet the group, which we all know. The therapeutic quality of being around dogs, you know, and kind of, oh yeah, it's wonderful, and almost everyone in the group is a massive dog lover. So we then went to meet them as puppies and it's just magic. That was magic, that was just a small thing.
Speaker 2We've worked with other groups, um, that support neurodivergent people, like enfold, autism charity, um, and other groups like practicals, that help additional needs people with practical and, as the name implies, you know, paperwork, things like that, cvs, etc. There's. So I mean I couldn't actually, even though we've only been open for three years, I couldn't actually read back to you everyone that we've been in contact with and worked with, because the list is too long. You know, that's become really important to us, because I just feel like if you're going to make a difference to your community. You need to be in the community. There's no point hiding away on your own in one little space where people don't even know you're there. You're not impacting, and that's something I'm passionate about.
Speaker 1So we do a lot of that lovely and it was all, like you said, by being involved in the community. It's all the opportunities that have come from it, which is amazing. It's about supporting one another, which is good. Speak to me as well, louise, about the vision for the future of shine arts, and what. What do you hope to achieve like? What's your dream and vision with shine arts for the future?
Shine's Accomplishments and Future Vision
Speaker 2my dream is that no new and virgin person, especially young adults, but nobody who lives in my local area county even would feel like they haven't got something to contribute or would have a creative talent that never gets discovered by anyone because they just find it hard not everyone does, but they might find it hard socially, for example, but actually in a group like this, where we're safe and we're very, you know, totally accepting I think, of everybody, every type of person then you know, my dream, I suppose, is that they'd find that safe place In the long term, because I'm only only one person. It's like their talents and their ability to nurture others could be used. But also, we just love to have a hub. Financially it's a complete dream. But we'd love to have our own premises. We'd love to have our own, you know, minibus. We'd love to have this thing where everyone knows where shine arts is and they can come, they can chill, be creative, get involved in various projects, have staff who could maybe head up different areas.
Speaker 2You know where we are now. It's me plus some volunteers. I have amazing volunteers, I have ladies that come in and they do a beautiful lunch for the group every day. We we meet or they work alongside us, people like yourself, doing amazing well-being stuff, but it is 90 voluntary, because that's all we can do. I'd love to employ people. I'd love to employ young people who want to work with special needs people themselves, or that they have an additional need themselves, and I'd love to employ and help them get on to the ladder of employment. You know, my dreams are big, but I don't know whether they can. I don't know whether they can happen, but I know that every day something arises that is an opportunity and I do tend to grab them. You know who wouldn't. When you have the encouragement of a group like this, you know they're on board with everything you can dream big. Then you know that's what I've learned from them not to be cynical about anything. You know they're not and they've had a hard time, you know yeah that's very true and that's
Speaker 1amazing and dream big and all that you have want for it. It will happen, it's happening and we will get there. And what I did want to touch on as well, because with all that you're doing, you're running this company single-handedly, almost, like you said, with the volunteers help, of course. But for you to start it all off in the first place, you're a mother, you're a wife. There's so much going on as women, you know, life can be really life in, out here. So it's very much like I like to ask women as well how do you take that time out for yourself, louise, where you're concentrating on your own well-being? What measures do you have in place for that protected time for yourself and your well-being, like what keeps you?
Speaker 2grounded. You know I have a most incredible partner. My husband, paul, is just so supportive. I pretty much just need something quite small, like going for a walk with him, or we've got a really lovely spaniel dog that we take out walk on. You know, getting out and walking is a big one that we try and do regularly. I need that to clear my mind and I need that Just little creative projects at home that I might get involved in here and there.
Speaker 2I've got to be honest, my work life balance with this isn't good. I mean, I'm always thinking about what Shine can do next. I love getting out there with my daughters. You know, just girly things like. We went out that today to market harbour, just you know, take it in, go into charity shop, find some trendy things, you know, go to a coffee, coffee shop, be together, play games I mean we'd love. We love board games. We love also just little video games, but it's been a Super Mario party. That's a big popular one in my house. Listening to music and dancing I love Northern Soul. I like to dance in my kitchen. Good, but you know, maybe I'm presenting more of a life balance than it sounds, but it is quite hard because, as a creative person, you're buzzing with ideas and you can't always stop thinking about them. So yeah, but you know, I've got. What I'm saying is I've got a wonderful family, and my extended family too, also incredibly lovely and supportive. So yeah, I'm lucky.
Speaker 1Nice and, like you said, with so much going on, it's hard to find that balance. But as long as you do take some time out where you are focused on your well-being, it's really important to do so, because you do have a lot going on. So I did want some advice from you, louisa. What advice would you give to people who are thinking about launching like their own community type of project? What advice would you give them?
Speaker 2I would say just do not be proud to ask for help, because, coming from a teaching background, when it came to all of the implementation of policy finance, trying to even simple things like opening a business bank account or making sure that everything was in place to like public liability insurance never dreamed in my life I would need that or even know what it was. And I had to ask. I had to ask. I went to um, a group called Northamptonshire Community Foundation, um NCF, and they also sort of manage lots of funds in the county and they were incredibly helpful and really friendly and endlessly patient as well. So, yeah, I met um. There's a lady there called sandy goodoy and she just helped me so much, so many emails back and forth as did another group called naker, who give funds to small rural groups in the area. They kind of sought me out. And they sought me out and said right, we can see you've opened a group. What can we do to help you?
Speaker 2So I think the key is don't try to do anything alone. You have to as a community group. That's the point. You have to reach out to the community from the first day and believe that, even though no one knows, you're there at the beginning, just keep speaking out, keep your voice going out there, however it might be talking to people like you social media because eventually someone sees you and I've had so many people that have come back to me and said I saw what you did. I was looking at your Facebook posts Because it can get lonely. You're sitting there making your social posts, but you know know, if somebody comes back and says I saw what you did and I really loved it, and you're almost like shocked what someone out there saw me, and I think you know that's the thing. Look after yourself and be positive, because in the early days it can feel a bit like does anyone care? Does anyone know? So you've got to say I'm here, I'm Talk to me about it. Yeah, you've got to do that.
Speaker 1Oh, wicked. I love that Great advice. That's it Because, like you said, it can be a lonely journey and it is. It's overwhelming, but it's key, isn't it, to reach out. There's so many people surrounding you that are willing to help you. That's what I've found as well on my business journey. Like through networking, through being involved in the community, you'll find that there's so many people out here supporting one another. They want the best for you and it's just an amazing connections you make and, like you said, it's keeping your own dream and vision alive by putting yourself out there and believing in it so much. And like times there are going to be. Like you said, it's like is this my con? I sometimes feel like that sometimes you do still have to keep putting yourself out there and soon opportunities do come around and it's just amazing how things do fall into place, like I think that you must.
Speaker 2It's it's something you must have felt yourself. You know, just like you you're believing in, you're putting yourself out there. You feel a little bit like that one man band because you're having to do all the instruments, if you like, all the areas of the company on your own. But if you believe it, it will come to fruition eventually. These people who come to my group, who encourage me every week, these people who come to my group who encourage me every week. So you know, you almost have to have double the amount of resilience and double the amount of determination.
Speaker 2But how you've overcome that, for example, is connecting with groups like this, and then that's brilliant because we get all the benefit and you get the benefit of maybe not feeling so isolated at times. I don't know what it does for you, but I know that we are so grateful. Um, and it's like that, starting your own business financially. It's hard too and you've got to. You know you've got to have other income streams and but I think if you've got it in your heart and you can't stop thinking about it, you've got to try. You've got to because otherwise you're going to get to that point in your life when you're old and gray and you think you don't want to be thinking.
Speaker 2I wish I had what I should have yeah yeah, I wish I had tried to have my own business. I never thought I could. I was, I was a teacher, I was institutionalized. You know you think this is safe. But I think if you've got that little bit in you, that's a bit out there and a bit quirky and you think, oh, oh, but I could try that, let yourself do it, even if you can only say, right, I can only do this for six months or a year. I had two years I gave myself, before I could wage myself a very modest wage, but I had two years with no wage at all. Now I know that's a luxury and I know there are many people that will be listening that would say, well, that's great for you, but there's no way I could do that. You know we had to change things up a bit. My husband was really supportive and we said two years and somehow that's how it worked out. After the two years funding was coming in, not for my wage, but funding was coming in more. So it's a lot of work in putting in funding bids.
Speaker 2And then eventually I actually had a bit of a catalyst because I had the national lottery. Say, do you know what? You don't charge enough on to the people coming and I was like, but I don't want to charge them anymore. They said, yes, but even if we give you money, there's a sustainability issue, because we'll get to the end of that part. And then I, and then I upped it a bit and I thought this is so risky. But the guys just wanted to stay. I still charge half as much as most of the local settings, but they wanted to stay. They paid the extra. Then I could say, oh, ok, I can give myself this little bit per day.
Speaker 2And then I then had a job. It wasn't just like I'm serving and it is all about serving, it really is. For me personally, it's all wrapped up in my faith as a Christian as well, but it's still serving, but I'm able to sort of give myself something that makes my efforts worth. They're worth. They're worth something. So now I can say, which took two years to you know that's in fact it was just over two years and I still can't pay myself anywhere near. I did as a teacher, but it's so worth it because this is feeds your soul, it's not just a chop and I'm lucky. I know how lucky I am. But if you can, as they say if you can find a job you love, you'll never have to work a day in your life. That's what they say, isn't it? And that's how I feel about shine. It is like that. Everything I've ever loved and the people I want to serve and I can, you know, make it real, because I'm paying myself. So that's where we are.
Speaker 2What I want to be able to do is, as I said earlier, give somebody else that would. That would be the that's. I think there's quite a big step between where I am and that, though, but you know who knows, and if there's anyone out there who's thinking, what will I do? Maybe it's after they've done their studies, or maybe they're still studying, maybe, or they might be not in a job at the moment, especially young people that are involved in care or additional needs I would say please come and volunteer with shine, because it will do you a lot of good and it will do the members a lot of good, and one day you might even be part of a company that's actually able to give you proper employment. But even if we can't do that, then we can open up opportunities or experiences for you. Um, I'd love to see more of that. That would help in so many ways.
Speaker 1I would put that out there no, and I'm glad you do, because it's true, like you said, because you will learn so much from coming to your group. It's the experience you'll gain and just just being amongst that and the opportunities that will come from it and eventually, like you said, will grow. It's only natural for it to be up and away. Right, you're taking off.
Speaker 2Yeah, exactly, the NHS and teaching is so similar, aren't they? You do what you've always done because you've always done it and of course you're contributing massive amounts to society in that. But the trouble is that it can be so restrictive in so many ways Personal individuals don't really have their skills drawn out because you do what you've always done as you've been told to do it, and paperwork mounts and mounts, and mounts and mounts, and much of it is meaningless. Sorry, it's a little bit controversial to say that, but it's meaningless paperwork that has to be done, the bureaucracy of it all. And then you think, actually, if I've got my own project here, we will do whatever we feel we want to do and we won't waste our time on meaningless tick charts. And that's where I am now. You know it means a lot to me.
Speaker 1anyway, it does, and it's amazing and the difference you're making it's amazing. It's more fulfilling as well, as much as, like we do have our previous careers and stuff, I feel, because I before Louise, I, even though I had a career as a midwife, I still didn't feel fulfilled and I felt like I had no purpose and I wasn't really aligned to what I was doing. But, just like you said, when you're doing something you love, does it feel like a job, like with what I'm doing still a long way to go where I want to be with it, but I just feel so fulfilled and excited and I've never had this excitement before, ever in my life, until I started changing things up and that that's it.
Speaker 2I think as well, you know when you, when you step back and you think is there a need? And that's the important bit, and there's definitely a need for what you're doing, because women who neglect their own well-being in so many plethora of different ways don't even know they're doing it, because they don't have time to think about it and you say stop, let's help, let's make sure you're OK for a change. There's that, but that's just tapping the surface of what you do. I know, do I know? And for me, I said, before you go through those people, that these neurodivergent people go through education system and serve beautifully, but they hit 18 and then it's what on earth do you do now?
Speaker 2I mean, the majority of people in my group are neat and so they're not in employment, educational training and because of that, you know, it can make you feel quite worthless as an individual, which is absolutely tragic. Because they're clever, they're empathetic, they're, you know, skillful, they've got so much potential. Okay, maybe the traditional workplace won't be the right environment for them, but we can certainly draw on their talent somehow. That's what my group's trying to do. You know, nobody should feel like they've got nothing to contribute. So that's trying to do. You know, nobody should feel like they've got nothing to contribute.
Speaker 5So that's where it is, you know.
Speaker 2I think, of course, there are lots of different settings that they could go to, but it's actually quite hard to find one that those individuals are totally comfortable in, so I'm giving them another option. You know an option that I hope is quite unique option. You know an option that's I hope is quite unique and and that's that's why I think you know it's it's something that's worth doing, because my teaching career was worth doing. Of course it was. I wouldn't be doing this if I hadn't done my teaching career, but I couldn't really be fully me and people I work with couldn't fully benefit from my skills or my ethos. Now, with what you do, what I do, I hope we are genuine, our authentic selves, as they say.
Wellbeing Support and Closing Thoughts
Speaker 2Completely authentic and I can see this in you as well. You can give yourself away totally without fear of judgment, because there's no way people in my group would judge me. They're so accepting. It's just glorious. And you don't get that. You don't get that in any other job. Yeah so, and it's almost like a virtuous circle, because if I could be my authentic self and I don't have to mask or hide or put on a show they don't mask or hide or put on a show. Yeah, I'm not putting pressure on them. It's not about performance or what they can offer or what they a show. They don't mask or hide or put on a show. Yeah, I'm not putting pressure on them. It's not about performance or what they can offer or what they can show, it's just them being them, them being them. And then they can say, right, next person who joins us, do you know what? Just be you. And it's a virtuous circle to keep people being authentic, definitely and that's what it's all.
Speaker 1Yeah, definitely, and that's what it is all about which is what we're all about at CORE is being free to be your true, authentic self and fully embracing it, and finding those right spaces where it's going to be accepted. It's not going to be judged, because we are in a world where there are judgy people and we do have that fear, don't we? Where we suppress who we are because in fear of being judged. But I love that we are creating these spaces where people can come be free to be you, because that's what life's all about. Yeah, definitely. So, louise, wellbeing sessions that I provide. How have they helped their group and their needs Are you?
Speaker 2seeing any difference in the group. Yes, there's an excitement and a buzz when they know Satvir's coming. I only have to mention your name, um, you know, they know you as satvir more than core aura, but then that's. They understand that, that you know you've got this company and they understand that what you um offer them you can offer to a whole variety of different kinds of people, but they they just, I think, connected with you. I think that that they're able to. It's almost like when you know somebody really, really well and you've and you've spoken to them in a certain way for a long time. Ie, they know me. They sometimes might have something they want to tell, say, but they wouldn't say I wouldn't think of saying that to louise, sort of thing. But then when you came along, it's like a new face, fresh start, um, and they might have just suddenly let something out that was pushed down or suppressed a bit.
Speaker 2Yeah, I know, I know they can be open with me, but you know what I mean about different people and yes, you know, yeah, that's that kind of fresh face thing and so I think, especially when you do a well-being um thing and you're talking about something and they'll just say something to you, and I'm like I've known you for four years and I've never heard about that, but they are willing to open up to you, satvir, and that's a testimony to the kind of person you are. I just think you've tackled difficult subjects. You've spoken to them in a really accepting, respectful way and it's helped them to draw some of their worries out. We did the studio box where they were posting worries, and then you found lots of different agencies to signpost them to. That was really touching. I think they were very touched that you took the time to read them and then signpost them, because a lot of them probably don't open up to anyone about those things or it's so deeply buried they barely understand it themselves.
Speaker 2But you've sort of like. You've sort of like started a process of thinking about their own well-being in a deeper way and what they need, what's not good for them, what is good for them, what they can chuck out of their lives, what they can, what's not good for them, what is good for them, what they can chuck out of their lives, what they can bring into their lives, all of those sorts of things. And that's just from you know. Two or three hours in the afternoon every few weeks and you get a lot out of them in a short space of time. I think. And you heard Shandra say, didn't you, that she had some hormonal or some issues going on and you said, how about trying these supplements? But she said that really helped her and she looked into it. So you know, that's just one person's example.
Speaker 1That's amazing and that's what it's all about, and as much as, like you said, I'm helping with the group, I feel like they're just helping me so much as well. Louise, because of time, we're going to wrap it up. Um, thank you for sharing your time, and can you just share with us your contact details if anyone wants to get in touch and join your sessions or even come and volunteer? How would they get in touch with you?
Speaker 2absolutely so. Wwwshineartscouk, that's the website. Um, you can email me on info at shineartscouk or at loushinearts at hotmail, and we're on facebook. So shine arts and well-being, just type it into facebook. We're on instagram and that's shine underscore. Well too. So hopefully lots of information there. But you could start with the website wwwshineartscouk lovely.
Speaker 1Thank you so much, and thank you again for sharing your time, louise, and everything that you're doing. It's just amazing and just inspirational, like seriously. You're doing an amazing job out here and I wish you well for your future and I can't wait to see you for our next session thanks, thanks likewise no worries and thank you all for listening. And just take care, you beautiful beings, and we'll speak to you very soon. Bye, guys.