Sarah Warburton

Professional creative arts practitioner with a comprehensive background in a variety of art disciplines across: community grass-roots in healthcare, education and dance performance and wellbeing. Holds high levels of impersonal and transferable skills gained through a wider range of work experiences in customer focused care, hospitality, sales management and project development. Excels as a creative and critical thinker in array of social diverse workspaces.

Holds strong moral and ethical principles and a sound knowledge of conflict resolution. An energetic self-starter and tactical team builder, well-versed in effective communication and organisation skills. Adapt at multiple tasking, leading in discussions, and actively seek solutions to problems with extensive analytical knowledge to findings and attention to detail.

Learning new policies and practices, concepts and strategy plans quickly allows me to adapt well to new roles as a versatile learner and valuable employee. As a compassionate and caring individual with passion to help others, drives to build trusting relationships as an active listener, and follows instructions effectively with a person centred approach to inquiry based learning. Works efficiently on own initiative as well as in collaboration as a flexibility thinker.

Generates good ideas and initiatives to improve and meet specific needs, objectives and decision making outcomes aligned to deadlines. Adapts well to change and thrives in new learning challenges. Upholds a growth mindset culture, seeks a remote role for flexible work life balance in life long learning opportunities.

Available to work immediately.

Freelance Creative Practitioner and Facilitator - Dance Therapy Practitioner and Facilitator - Leeds City Council - Leeds, Leeds

(1995-03 - 2024-09)

• 30 plus years working in a range of professional repertoire: Teaching and performing in arts and education, community grassroots and health and wellbeing sectors alongside children and adults. (Fuller dance CV can be requested).
• MA level taught Dance Movement Psychotherapy: An inquiry based learning provision undertook at Derby University -2012/13
• Developed and delivered community run projects: Work with children in cultural diversity and inclusion; In contemporary dance sessions and performance.
• Active research and online convention led by Dr Bonnie Meekum's. An international dance movement collaboration and inquiry based learning process, that applied therapeutic modalities in storytelling narrative theory and practice.
• Dance Practitioner for: Ascendance Dance Company. Health and wellbeing who are living with Parkinson's2016/2020.
• Facilitator and performance leader at the Yorkshire Dance Ageless festival - 2017 Yorkshire Playhouse
• Active home educator/ facilitator In an alternative creative learning provision.

Afterschool Club Manager - Leeds City Council - Leeds

(2007 - 2013)

• Responsible for Managing programme of up to 30 children per session: Planning, delivery and overseeing the supervision of a range of creative indoor and outdoor play led learning activities.
• To improve overall effectiveness of the running of a childcare provision, by directly working with learner wellbeing through using a variation of communications skills, to actively engage and encourage social interactions amongst diverse group of children. Provided children with a safe and nurtured school based learning setting, which fosters diversity, equality and inclusion, Championing Every Child Matters Act.
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of promoting a child led approach to learner centred initiatives, through arts and creative learning. To monitor and evaluate specific social and emotional needs in active physical learning for positive behaviour outcomes.
• Liaised with, teaching staff and parents to promote a flow of open communications for relationship building accomplishments, centred around holistic learning needs.
• Accountable for keeping detailed, accurate accountancy of attendance, managing small budgets and recorded payments. Devised and delivered a healthy eating programme, meeting high standards of food and hygiene management. Maintained excellent health and safety measures for access to learning resources and equipment.
• Responded quickly to conflict situations, leading calm and effective negotiations to diffuse highly charged situations. Followed best practice, policies, rules and regulations, when reporting and recording incidents and disclosures in safeguarding issues.

Summer Scheme Manager and Play Worker - Leeds City Council - Leeds

(2006 - 2017)

• Provided overall direction, management and leadership of a creative learning programme for 40 primary school age children. Closely involving the children in the coordinating, planning and delivery stage of the project.
• Managing ethical issues and taking decisive actions. Oversaw budget planning, safeguarding, risk assessments and first aid provider.
• Communicated professionally, building strong rapport with a range of event teams. Collaborated effectively with team member, providing a clear overview of the programmes guidelines and delegated roles. Gained programme feedback through end of programme Q&A.
• Built positive relationships with young people, listening to their direct and indirect voices to engage different social perspectives in creative processes for cultural relevant learning and reflective learning premises.
• Specialised in implementing effective creative pedagogies for successful learner attainment and attitude to learning achievements.

Hospitality and Customer Services - Public Service Establishments - Leeds

(1987-07 - 2012-09)

• Created warm, friendly atmosphere through positive guest interactions.
• Delivered first-class customer service for memorable guest experiences.
• Served food and beverages, going the extra mile to deliver personalised customer service through sliver service training.
• Handled complaints and conflict with diplomatic approach.
• Understood and adhered to food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Greeted and checked-in guests promptly and professionally.
• Brought positive can-do attitude and passion for customer service to solve service issues.
• Completed housekeeping duties to maintain clean and orderly Front Of House (FOH) spaces.
• Directed customer calls and communicated messages to relevant team members.
• Managed facility bookings and coordinated internal activities.

Retail, and Visual Merchandise - Arcadia Group retailers and Freedom Jewellery - Leeds

(1998-01 - 2011-01)

• Built positive customer rapport through friendly, professional communication, providing service with a smile, offering courteous and helpful advise to meet customers needs.
• Upheld health and safety protocol in the workplace
• Excelled as a brand ambassador, account motivator and team player
• Liaised between customers and internal departments to address and resolve customer service concerns.
• Responded to outbound calls submitting store card sales, promoting a can do attitude as a lead sales person and account motivator, seeing the sale through form start to finish
• Managed workflow to continuously exceed quality service goals and expected sale targets.
• Collaborated with staff at all levels to enhance customer service experience and exceed customer focus satisfaction rate targets.
• Organised stock and checkout area proactively between serving customers to maintain orderly shop floor.
• Shelved and merchandised new products aligned with seasonal treads and best sellers in visually appealing, organised displays to engage customers
• Followed instructions and guidelines effectively for merchandising and products placement lines
• Completed purchases with cash, credit and debit payment methods, providing customer receipts for reference and return items using a range of touchscreen till systems.
• Promptly responded to shop floor security through inhouse training and best practice, working closely with external security protocols and safely measures
• Unpacked merchandise on arrival, conducting stock checks to verify good condition and managed returned and damaged items.
• Promoted multi sale transactions, through excellent product placement knowledge to meet sales targets
• Resolved customer complaints and process issues with proactive problem-solving skills, reporting to management and relevant departments for fuller resolutions if required

GCSEs - English, Maths, Drama, Dance, Media studies - Hopwood Hall College (1991-09 - 1992-07)

BTEC Level 2 - Performing Arts - Hopwood Hall College (1992-09 - 1992-07)

Bachelor of Arts - Dance and Performance - Northern Contemporary Dance School (1992-09 - 2015-07)

Master of Arts - Creative Learning Innovation and Inclusion - Leeds Beckett University (2023-09 - 2024-07)