Who am I?
Music:
I am a performing music artist and producer from Bristol, in the South West UK. I also work freelance as a vocal editor, producer and sound designer and I deliver talks and workshops on neurodivergence and music- so I absolutely understand the nature of a freelance musical portfolio career.
Coaching
I am currently training to become an ICF (International Coaching Federation) accredited coach and work with clients with a variety of different traits and diagnoses. I am a qualified Mental Health First Aider and DBS checked with Public liability insurance.
My background:
My own diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD in 2022 empowered me to pursue a Masters degree in Electronic Music production. I decided to research resources for neurodivergent music creators while doing my dissertation. I realised there weren’t many resources out there but it also led me to believe neurodivergent people usually don’t need support with their creativity but rather with the expectations and outputs that are required of them.
We can often struggle with developing supportive routines and managing all the tasks we need to do and find we only get things done when feeling the pressure of someone else’s deadline. I couldn't find the support I needed in the environments I found myself in but realised I could create a social environment which could offer the building blocks of self-efficacy- the ABC - Accountability, Belonging and Consistency. I created some gentle external accountability through online peer support sessions (The ADHD Music Producer) for weekly planning, accountability and body doubling meet ups. These continue today and you are welcome to join anytime.
The Biopsychosocial approach:
I previously trained as an Occupational Therapist and use some of the core skillset in my coaching without being a practising OT. Occupational therapy is concerned with improving wellbeing through facilitating engagement in meaningful activities (or occupations). This includes understanding the requirements of the activity; understanding the individual; understanding the individuals’ ability to perform the chosen activity and the interaction with their social and physical environment (and beyond). I use a biospsychosocial framing to understand you and your context and will always work holistically with you to develop practical approaches to solving any challenges you might have.
Mental health + other challenges
I have experienced my own severe mental health crisis in the past and know how devastating undiagnosed or unmanaged ADHD in particular can be. I live in a very neurodivergent family and we all have our different ways of communicating (or not!) - I understand the difficulties of managing the very different headspaces of being a care-giver with music making. I am care experienced and left school having failed my GCSE’s- I mention this not because I want sympathy or kudos but to illustrate that we all have our challenges and with the right knowledge and support, we can achieve what we need or want in life.
Funding, support and representing
I have experience with successful grant funding applications and I am currently in receipt of a third successful grant application for a support worker through the Access to Work scheme. I was accepted onto the Natwest Accelerator Entrepreneurship course in Bristol and have received mentoring support from The Co-Pilot scheme through Help Musicians. I am also on the Disabled and Neurodivergent Council of The Ivors Academy.
When I set up The ADHD Music Producer research sessions it was important to me to show that it is possible to manage and build a portfolio music career. By consistently showing up for myself and others I learnt that when we have a system for recognising and registering what we are doing (and when and how!) we build a more accurate picture of our skills and achievements to counteract the narratives we might have been told about our capabilities.
What does this all mean?
I am well positioned to understand you and your needs in the context of a music career and the challenges (and joys!) being a neurodivergent person brings to the mix. I promise to work with you to help you build the life you want.
