Our Staff
As well as our very hard working board of trustees, the company has a dedicated and determined team of staff who are committed to achieving the company's aims and objectives. As well as vast experience of working with people with learning disabilities, the staff within the organisation have much experience and business acumen which has contributed to the company's success and helped us to ensure that people with learning disabilities are trained, not only in the practical aspect of their work, but also in business and administration. We currently employ two people with learning disabilities & are looking to expand this number in the future.
1. Geraldine Ling – Arts Director
Geraldine has been with the Lawnmowers group since their formation in 1986 and is in charge of the company's artistic development as well as working with the Lawnmowers actors. Gerry undertook her teacher training in Scotland specialising in speech and drama and developed her initial work in schools and a Steiner centre where she worked with school leavers with learning disabilities in Edinburgh. Following this, Gerry was given the opportunity of studying for a Masters Degree in drama at Newcastle University with Dorothy Heathcote, one of the world's foremost exponents of drama in education. Both during and after her Masters' Gerry developed work with disadvantaged school leavers, setting up a team of young people who created theatre and delivered workshops. She developed a women's performance group in Gateshead and established and ran Gateshead youth theatre. Gerry has generated huge respect for her work with the Lawnmowers, now considered to be one of the best Theatre-for-Social-Change companies in the country.2. Dawn Redhead – Finance and Training
Dawn first started working with people with learning disabilities in 1995 when she was trained as a voluntary advocate. Dawn has worked for the company since Aug 2001. Dawn's employment background started in the private sector where she worked for 11 years as an administration and payroll manager. Dawn is trained to IS09000 and BS5750 standards and has worked in organisations with Investors In People. Dawn is in charge of the company's administration, payroll, finance & training and oversees the company's legal responsibilities. Dawn has qualifications in business and also has a law and combined LPC degree from the University of Northumbria where she studied for four years full time while also working full time for the company. It is hoped that Dawn will head up our legal services feasibility study in the future.3. Andy Stafford – Outreach Worker
Following Andy's successful membership of the Lawnmowers Actors, he applied and was recruited as our Outreach Worker. Employing Andy as our Outreach Worker and developing his role has been crucial for our organisation. Having a learning disabled Outreach Worker to represent the company is very important. Andy can and does develop many skills, runs sessions, develops networks, attends meetings and brilliantly represents the company. As well as personal development, Andy provides a much needed role model for learning disabled people and other learning disabled and non-learning disabled organisations due to his highly successful position. Arguably the most important worker in the company, Andy has completed CLAIT computer courses at Gateshead College, administration courses, a first aid course at St John ambulance and DJ skills at Gateshead college. Andy helps to develop all of our projects and gives Outreach Assistance to Wild, a learning disabled youth group which the company supports. As well as this, Andy has been a Trustee for various organisations, sat on Partnership Boards and Steering Groups and attends many conferences and events as a representative for learning disabled people.4. Belinda Croce – Krocodile Krew Project Coordinator
Boo initially trained in Building Surveying and gained a BSC in the subject. Belinda is also a trained alternative therapist and a professional Homoeopath following her studies at The Northern College of Homoeopathic Medicine. Belinda became a volunteer support worker for the Lawnmowers and helped with the Krocodile Klubs and Project 2000. Belinda worked at Gateshead College as a Learning Support worker for people with learning disabilities, during which, she undertook the company's feasibility study into the viability of a Krocodile Krew project. Following the feasibility study, Belinda successfully raised funds in 2003 to form the Krew and deliver their training. 5. Pady O'Connor
Pady has been associated with the Lawnmowers for 15 years. He is the Commedia Practioner at the Lawnmowers, on the School for Fools Project.
He has worked for many years in the field of physical theatre, touring as a director and actor. He teaches throughout England leading Mask, Mime, Clown , Commedia dell' Arte workshops. Pady has many years experience of working with young people and people with learning disablilites. Pady is a Clown Doctor in the Region.
He has trained and toured with many companies and practioners nationally and internationally, allowing him to collaborate with talented performers across the world. It is this exciting and stimulating environment which gives Pady a strong foundation in skill sharing . He has continued his collaboration and skills exchange with performers in Barcelona, Madrid, Brazil, New York and France.
Pady trained with Maestro Antonio Fava, in Commedia dell' Arte, at the Scuola Internazionale Dell' Attore in Italy, trained at the Desmond Jones School of Mime and Physical Theatre, where he assisted by invitation. Recently he studied Clown and Le Jue (the game and play of theatre) with Phillipe Gaulier and Pierre Byland in Paris.
Pady toured with one of the only Commedia dell' Arte companies in England, playing Friar Hubert and Dogwood in Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath "and Telemachus in Homers "The Odyssey". He played Cumulus in Monster Productions' "The Weather Kitchen" at The Chelsea Theatre ,London and acted at The Blue Elephant Theatre London in "The Party". Pady was casting consultant for Billy Elliot.. He helped create and develop the character Lucky Louis in "Elephant" with Dodgy Clutch Theatre Company which toured England and South Africa.
Pady recently formed his own theatre company - Theatre mimi. Theatre mimi recently collaborated with Horsewife (formally known as Loon) - five musical troubadours from across England, to produce Phileas P. Souper, they have just completed the tour of their new show. Theatre mimi and Horsewife will tour in July 08 with the School for Fools.
