Our team
Our team is made up of a unique combination of dancers, social workers, personal advisors and other trauma-informed specialists. This means we not only hold a wealth of dance knowledge and expertise, from hip hop and contemporary dance to ballet and barre, with which we teach our young people, we also always take a trauma-informed approach rooted in our social work expertise and evidence-based techniques.
Delivery Team
Our Delivery team, formed by a variety of professional dance artists and experienced social workers, combines artistic excellence with a deep understanding of young people’s wellbeing. With their backgrounds, they bring together expertise from both the dance industry and social settings. They are highly skilled in trauma-informed practice, ensuring that every space is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Driven by a commitment to creativity, care, and opportunity, they work collaboratively to make sure all young people can participate, express themselves, and thrive.​​
Trustees
Our Trustees bring a variety of experiences from diverse professional backgrounds, including education, social care, community development, and the arts. They share a deep commitment to our mission and a dedication to creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
Stuart Sharp
Trustee Stuart has been a foster carer since 2021. He and his wife Samantha have two biological and two foster daughters. Both foster daughters are involved in Care to Dance with the oldest being a Care to Dance Ambassador. His foster daughters have been part of their family since mid 2021 and as a family they have been able to see the positive effect Care to Dance has had, the opportunities it has given his daughters and the inclusivity it brings. It is always a pleasure to go and watch the CTD showcases and see the progression and increased confidence that the children who attend have made. Stuart works as an accountant at a local accountancy practise in Leicestershire and is also the treasurer for a local Scout group. His work has given him a broad spectrum of experience in finance, and he deals with various size businesses and charities.
Marie Powell
Trustee As someone with personal experience of the care system, Marie is passionate about creating opportunities and safe spaces where young people feel they belong. From the age of eight, Marie was involved in youth panels helping shape services and funding for young people, and that passion for advocacy has stayed with her ever since. Marie's background in performing arts naturally led her into youth engagement, where she's combined creativity with mentoring and community work. Through Care to Dance, Marie has built trusted relationships with care-experienced young people, supporting them through workshops, performances and trips, while being someone they know will always show up, cheer them on and make them feel safe, valued and confident. Marie feels that seeing their confidence grow and knowing they have someone they can rely on is the most rewarding part of what she does. Alongside this, Marie has built a career across television, production, education and the performing arts, using creativity to engage and empower young people. From September, Marie will also be joining the London Violence Reduction Unit, working alongside the Mayor of London and partners across the capital to help reduce youth violence and violence affecting communities through creativity, education, training and meaningful youth engagement. "Everything I do is driven by a commitment to ensuring care-experienced young people feel heard, represented and empowered to reach their full potential. I’m excited about the opportunity to bring both my lived experience and professional perspective to the Care to Dance Board of Trustees and continue supporting the incredible work of the charity."