Join the Dots has been awarded £44,713 from the Social Innovation Fund. This is a partnership with Theatre Nemo, Violence Reduction Unit, SenScot, Social Firms Scotland, SGSAH, and Reattachment to develop new ideas that will address social problems in Scotland.
Mission Statement.
Join the Dots will create a supportive environment within which people who face multiple barriers to community inclusion can easily access support. We will focus on people with complex needs, such as individuals leaving prison, those with past convictions and their families, mental health and addiction issues. Promoting inclusion and reintegration within a trauma informed framework
Project Team
Sharon Miller | Workshop Leader
Sharon’s notable achievements include the expansion of theatre arts projects at Polmont Young Offenders and process drama for cognitive behavioural courses at Cornton Vale Women’s Prison. At Borderline Theatre, Sharon directed a large scale professional and community production of ‘Jamie the Saxt’ for the Robert Maclellan Festival in Arran.
She founded Joyworks! in 2008 to platform wellness events in the health, education and corporate world. Her personal and professional lives merged after being asked to deliver a workshop for Senior citizens who this time round ‘just needed a laugh’. Around this time she learned yoga and meditation and lived in India for a year. Joyworks events use laughter yoga, creative arts and powerful drama strategies to improve health and wellbeing and teach positive techniques for day to day happiness in a fun and deeply exhilarating way. In addition Joyworks are the leading trainers in laughter therapy delivering laughter yoga leadership training for the public and regularly funded by the NHS. They also run events for the public across Scotland.
Joyworks! has an impressive track record in the corporate and public sectors, providing successful tailored sessions for the likes of Coca-Cola, the NHS, BBC Comedy, Lloyds Banking Group, BNP Baribas and the Scotland Football Team. Sharon and her talented team are passionate about improving happiness and reducing isolation and stress for all ages and backgrounds.
Kate E Deeming | Workshop Assistant
Originally from Philadelphia (PA, USA) I have been based in Glasgow for over 16 years and have presented and facilitated work in the USA, UK, Sri Lanka, India, Japan, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Canada, Syria & Lebanon. As my work is interdisciplinary in nature, I allow the environment and participants to define what media needs to be called into action. Forms can include dance, theatre, film, installation, writing, and baking to name a few! I am passionate about working in communities whether it be on the streets, in community centres, businesses, schools or universities.
Nicola Dickson | Researcher
Nic is an experienced social researcher with over 15 years research experience in Scotland’s private and public sectors. She specialises in conducting qualitative research with more vulnerable populations, historically working with people affected by social issues such as housing, poor mental health and substance misuse. She is currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Glasgow with the Department of Education. Nic’s research explores the relationship between arts-informed adult learning and the recovery journeys of women who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. When not writing or researching, Nic likes to spend her time making ‘art’ with her three young children.
Project Report