Our Team

I recently joined the Touch Touch team as CEO, taking over in January 2023. Over the coming months, I’ll be learning from my fellow Senior Managers, my colleagues, our guests and their families so that I can lead the charity effectively into an exciting new phase. Alongside our Trustees, I’ll build on the great work of the team, to enhance the operation and deliver the charity’s strategic vision.

I’ve worked in the cultural sector since 2010. Prior to joining Touch Trust, I was the Director of Insole Court, the Victorian mansion and events venue in Llandaff, Cardiff and began my third-sector career at Chapter Arts Centre. I studied postgraduate Arts Management at Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and undergraduate Drama at Aberystwyth University.

“I’m honoured to join Touch Trust. For twenty-five years, its remarkable work has changed the lives of thousands of guests and their families. I join a great team, with deeply passionate and positive people and I can’t wait to help them do even more.”

Hiroko is a mum of three, HCPC registered Music Therapist and a member of EAMI (European Association of Music and Imagery). She has been working for Touch Trust since 2005 as a Creative Facilitator, a freelance musician and a Music Therapist in a number of previous projects, before taking on her current role as a Programme and Project Manager. She also acts as a DSP (Designated Safeguarding Person)

“It was a truly humbling experience to have an opportunity to be trained by the Touch Trust founder, Dilys Price, OBE, to become a Touch Trust practitioner in 2004. It’s been a true privilege to work at Touch Trust and to have met so many of our wonderful guests, their families/carers and our amazingly supportive communities.”

“I am honoured to continue Dilys’ legacy onward with the Training Programme, to feel and witness the impact she has had on so many lives. Dilys and the amazing Touch Trust Family/community certainly have changed mine.”

In 2021, Rosie graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University with a First Honours Degree in Fine Art. She is a painter and a pianist. Rosie started work with Touch Trust in 2021 through an Internship and loved her experience. She was able to bring her creative skill set to the role by providing paintings for our centre, adding colourful updates to our social media channels and collaborating with other staff members to create engaging CPDs.

“What I love so much about working for Touch Trust is our ability to create safe spaces for our guests, where they can be uniquely themselves. In our space they have the freedom to positively express themselves in whatever way they choose.”

Viv started working at Touch Trust in 2012, and is our only full-time Creative Facilitator working at the centre. Previous to this, Viv worked in the coffee shop in WMC for nearly 10 years. Whilst working there, Viv met our founder, Dilys Price OBE, who invited her to come and observe some Touch Trust sessions. Having witnessed the work at Touch Trust, Viv knew this was what she wanted to do and has worked here ever since.

“Working at Touch Trust is a job that you’re excited to get up for each morning, and that always leaves a smile on your face at the end of the day”.

Paul has been working with adults with learning difficulties, autistic spectrum conditions and profound and multiple learning disabilities since 1997.  He started coming to Touch Trust after completing a Holistic Massage Therapy diploma at UWIC in 2010, and enrolled on the Touch Trust Certificate course under the tutelage of Dilys Price in 2015.

Paul very much believes in Touch Trust’s three foundations of ‘Service, Celebrating Diversity and Fun and Happiness’

Sarah has been working as a Creative Facilitator with Touch Trust since 2018, leading regular sessions in the centre and online, as well as leading many of the additional projects we offer.

“I adore connecting with our wonderful guests, helping to bring some smiles and relaxation into their week and with the amazing carers too! It’s so rewarding to see the ways in which our guests grow in confidence and develop through holistic and creative engagement.

As the TT program is so person-centred, there is a fantastic sense of structure to what we do yet no two sessions are the same, which makes for such an authentic and inspiring place to work. The ethos of celebration, inclusivity and kindness has such a wonderful ripple effect throughout all aspects of the role and, quite frankly, my life as well-the work here has definitely enriched my life in positive ways too! With my background being in acting and storytelling, I also lead the creative/storytelling projects here which I’m super passionate about! I’m always keen to collaborate with other artists and sow the seeds for a new project!”

See Senior Management Team.

Chloe started working at Touch Trust in January 2020 and now leads regular weekly sessions, working with both adults and children in the centre and online.

Chloe is also a saxophonist, and graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2019. She is now training to become a Music Therapist, and is in her final year of her part-time Music Therapy MA at the University of the West of England. She has previous experience working as a support worker for adults with mental health issues and learning disabilities, and as a carer for older adults in their homes. She currently also works in the Vale of Glamorgan supporting singing, exercise and social groups for older adults in the community.

“Working at Touch Trust is such a joyful and uplifting experience- I love the inclusive environment and how we celebrate our differences together with our guests. I always leave with a smile on my face”.

Anna mainly works with online Touch Trust groups via Zoom, and has been working at Touch Trust since 2017. She started off as a volunteer and soon after became a staff member and part of the wider Touch Trust team. Anna has also facilitated Therapeutic Arts and Music Sessions as part of Touch Trust ‘Time for Me Days’, both on Zoom and in person.

Anna was a support worker for seven years, working with children, adults and older adults who had a variety of needs, supporting them to live their lives to their fullest potential. In 2020 she completed her three year BA Hons Degree in Creative and Therapeutic Arts at The University of South Wales (Treforest) and now works as a Freelancer, facilitating Inclusive Arts sessions for a variety of groups of all ages and stages across South Wales.

“I love working with Touch Trust because the team is a very beautiful blend of kind and caring facilitators – they are a pleasure to work with, as well as our lovely Guests and Partners who always bring a smile to my face. “

Sian is an AAT qualified Accounting Technician.  She worked in the engineering industry early in her career and then helped to run her husband’s business while raising their family of three girls.  The business closed a few years ago and as her girls were growing up so, Sian was looking for a suitable opportunity to return to the workplace.   Sian enjoys working with the small and friendly team at Touch Trust, and the flexibility of her working hours.  When she’s not working at Touch Trust she chaperones children working in the entertainment industry.   In her spare time she runs, and is an avid supporter of the Wales football team! Sian is also a fluent Welsh speaker.

Jan currently works in a senior management role as the Technical Director for the leading arts company, Welsh National Opera. He is an experienced manager and team builder, with 20+ years experience in managerial roles within the WNO. Through these roles, he has developed good relationships with those working at the Wales Millennium Centre, as well as good financial understanding.

Jan has known of Touch Trust since moving into the WMC, and has admired the unique work of the organisation since that point. He is glad to use his managerial experience to support Touch Trust at Board level.

Ellie currently works in a leadership role for Admiral Group plc, working in an end-to-end product management role with a strong focus on the customer and improving commercial performance. She is a qualified chartered accountant, previously working in various finance roles for over 10 years, and brings her financial and commercial expertise to the Touch Trust board and is keen to utilise her skillset to help make a difference and ensure the continued sustainability of the charity.

Nigel is the Wales Director for the Country Land and Business Association and prior to that held senior roles in a number of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. He is a Member of the Institute of Directors and throughout his career has been involved in policy making and managing projects and initiatives that provide community or business benefits. He has always wanted to make a difference through his work which is why he joined the Board of Touch Trust – an organisation that has never been more relevant than now.

Nigel tries to bring enthusiasm and business experience to Touch Trust, challenging where necessary but hopefully always with a solution in mind!

Alastair started his professional life as a journalist, quickly progressing up the ranks to become Editor of the South Wales Echo. After identifying a gap in the market for a creative communications agency with exceptional copywriting at its heart, he set up Effective Communication in 2005, maintaining his excellent media contacts along the way.

Over the years, Alastair has developed a reputation for stakeholder engagement, strategic planning and crisis communications, working closely with director/board level teams for high-profile organisations including, but not limited to, Welsh Government, Finance Wales, Camelot, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Transport for Wales and South Wales Chamber of Commerce. He is considered one of Wales’ leading PR practitioners.