We Are AAM - Alison
January 2015 Accessible Arts & Media wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for everyone that supports us. We have so many people we would like to thank, our participants, support workers, volunteers, funders, trustees, artists and staff to name but a few. We wanted to find out what AAM means to everyone involved and we thought we'd share what we found out with you all. To start us off we asked Alison, one of our new staff members, about herself and her experiences with AAM. We hope you enjoy finding out a little more about everyone over the next few months.
How long have you worked at AAM and what do you do?
I've volunteered with Hands and Voices since I came to York in 2001, when I went to see a community film they had made thinking 'This looks interesting' and it really was! In fact I was so blown away by the joy and enthusiasm of their performance afterwards, that I asked to join there and then. And Wednesday evenings (rehearsal times) were never the same again...soo much guaranteed fun. Fast forward to 2015 and I am thrilled to have been working full time with AAM since September 2014. I'm involved in a variety of projects, supporting with administration and running activities, and also working on development. Every day is different but happily includes plenty of singing, signing and dancing! My job title is Sensory Development Worker. One of the main aims of my role is to take the wonderful iMUSE programme to more people and organisations.
What do you enjoy most about working for AAM?
How long have we got?!
There is so much. Probably the best thing is to be part of something that is all about developing a truly inclusive society by helping to create models for involving everyone in the process - whatever that is, from making music or art together to developing the organisation. Which translates into breakthrough, life-changing experiences - and that joy which shone out from that first meeting with Hands and Voices. Hard to get better than that I think.
What did you do before working here?
Recently I worked for the National Autistic Society supporting people in daily life, but most of my career before this has been working with libraries - private, academic and public. Mostly rather unusual roles to do with communities and inclusion. And always in my leisure fitting singing in somewhere!
Tell us one random fact about yourself!
I'm a practicing Buddhist!