Barbara Touati-Evans

I’m a Coach, Trainer and Consultant working alongside, and supporting, people in theatre, arts and culture. I’m based in the New Forest. Chat to me about Leadership and Career Coaching; Risk and Safety training and organisational support. I’ve worked in the arts for 30 years, starting as Deputy Stage Manager (DSM) then Company & Stage Manager in theatre and opera – touring the UK and Europe and in the West End for over 14 years. I’ve held senior leadership roles at some of London’s leading venues including the Roundhouse and Almeida. I’ve worked across technical and production, health and safety, operations, general management and HR.

I am a community archaeologist & wellbeing facilitator. I love to discover and tell untold stories from the past & to help people discover history & engage in cultural heritage. I help heritage organisations with community engagement, co-creation, education, outreach & interpretation. I offer public historical walks and talks. I am passionate about the role heritage can play in wellbeing & communities. I enjoy taking heritage into care settings & groups, with through reminiscence & object handling. I have completed the Green Dementia Care programme am looking forward to offering Elders of the Woods sessions very soon. In community venues, I run Arts, Crafts & Archaeology workshops & work with social prescribers.  

I help people discover the wellbeing benefits of creativity through mindful art workshops.  The focus is on the exploring techniques that calm the mind, everything is abstract so there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.  Sessions are suitable for beginners and those with experience. I encourage clients to leave perfectionism behind and simply enjoy the process of playing with watercolours, doodles and mandalas – although people love their finished pieces too! I discovered mindful art whilst in recovery from brain surgery, I passionately believe it helped me with mood, overwhelm, self-esteem, resilience and focus.  Mind Unwind combines my background of 25 years in education as a teacher and education adviser with my own lived experience.