We are delighted to introduce you to Diane Thornton and Lucy McGreal, our new joint Artistic Directors, and what better time to take on this new role as we celebrate 25 years of delivering our therapeutic clown programme.
Diane and Lucy have been artists with the charity for several years as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers, some of you may know them better as Dr Wallop and Dr Beatz or Pickle and Dotty Elderflower.
Everyone at Hearts & Minds is delighted that Diane and Lucy are now going to lead the Artistic Programme. They will be working alongside Fiona Ferrier and Rachel Colles who will now become joint Programme Engagement Managers. Fiona and Rachel have been Interim Co Artistic Leads for the last two years and will remain an integral part of the team that co-ordinates the programmes in hospitals, hospices, schools, and residential healthcare units.
Diane and Lucy commented on their new appointment:
Sean Donnelly, CEO, Hearts & Minds commented:
“I am thrilled to welcome Diane and Lucy into their new roles as Joint Artistic Directors of Hearts & Minds. Their dedication and long-standing commitment to our organisation, coupled with their extensive experience as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers, make them invaluable leaders for our artistic programmes. I am confident that under their guidance, Hearts & Minds will continue to flourish and positively impact the lives of those we serve. I also want to extend my gratitude to Fiona Ferrier and Rachel Colles for their exceptional leadership as interim Co-Artistic Leads and their ongoing contributions to the ongoing development of Hearts & Minds. This is a significant year for Hearts & Minds as we celebrate 25 years of the Clowndoctors, and I look forward to working together to support even more people when they need it most.”
All four artists will still practise as Clowndoctors and Elderflowers and continue to deliver therapeutic clowning visits while driving forward the artistic programme and strengthening our relationships with the teams at the units we visit.
