MELODY VAUGHAN

WORKING TOGETHER

Within the context of my chronic health issues I currently only offer 1:1 mentoring in ways that are accessible to me.

I’ve offered many different forms of creative practice support in the past, but right now here is what I offer:

CREATIVE PRACTICE MENTORING

1:1 focused attention on how you feel within your creative practice.

I offer an undefined space for you to reflect, explore and understand your unique creative process.

This could be an open-ended, ongoing relationship or you might have applied (or be thinking about applying) for funding to work with me for a set timeframe.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

If you’re thinking of making an application for funding (like Arts Council DYCP, bursaries or other similar schemes) which involves designing a project with a budget, I can help with that!

From exploring possibilities to honing in on the details of the proposal I offer space to explore ideas, create stress-free plans, develop language, build budgets and offer editing/proof-reading support as you write the application.

If you are considering including mentoring with me as part of an application I recommend working with me to develop the project as this enables us to build a good working relationship, helps me fully understand your project and provides the mentoring with a strong foundation.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WORKING WITH ME?

my approach

In my work I am committed to prioritising the experience and the needs of the humans at the centre of creative practices.

I take a trauma-informed, holistic, person-centred approach to my mentoring practice. This is underpinned by a commitment to social and climate justice, informed by ongoing engagement with, and exploration of, intersectional feminism*, decolonial shadow work, radical imagination and post-capitalist futures.

This work is conducted with an awareness of how everything we do with our creative practices is situated within the wider context of our lives and the world. I’m committed to working with professional artists, designers & contemporary craft makers who want to build ethical and sustainable creative practices.

* “I feel embarrassed when I say feminism and people do not think revolution in service of every living thing”

– Lola Olufemi

what this work is/isn't

What I offer is something between coaching and mentoring.

Typically coaches will work with people on specific issues or goals and they’ll support you getting there. Mentors often offer advice based on their expertise. Personally I like to respond to the needs you currently have in your practice; I don’t assume there are issues or problems and I don’t like to offer advice.

Instead we work together to reflect on what is going on for you right now and what you feel you’d like to explore. If during this process you would like to set some goals or receive more specific advice then I can potentially help you with that or recommend other people who are better placed to help.

The 1:1 work I do focuses on the intangible side of a creative practice. I offer an undefined space for you to reflect, explore and understand your unique creative process. [Please be aware that I have no expertise in business or marketing – if you are looking for support primarily with these aspects of your practice I’m not the person for you.]

who i work with

I support people whose professional work is an essential expression of who they are, or who they want to be, in the world. People who feel drawn to working intentionally and with purpose. Often this might look like practices that are rooted in elements like social engagement, community work, teaching/research and projects.

I also feel a strong affinity for people whose practice might occupy a space between craft and art, regardless of material discipline.

I tend to work with people who are looking to make significant shifts within their practice – this could be within contexts of mid-career development, navigating chronic health or diagnoses, adapting to caring responsibilities, returning to practice after a significant break.

I love working with people who are curious to explore their creative practice in greater depth – in many ways we are archaeologists of creativity, uncovering and building up the narrative of the work and their role within that.

what the sessions are like

I work 1:1 via zoom in 1 hour sessions.

During the session I’ll ask you what you’d like to talk about, or what feels important right now, and we take it from there.

I mostly listen and ask questions which might prompt you to reflect on what you’ve said, or which might help highlight things you may have not noticed, new ways of considering things. In this conversation I’m invested in offering you a space to explore things in a way that you might not be able to with other people. It’s a non-judgemental, supportive space where you and your work are the most important things.

My passion for this work comes from wanting to see your creative practice thrive. Because of this I take a holistic view, situating your creative practice within your life, and focusing on sustainability – for you, for others and for the planet.

I am for slow, considered, intentional work. I help people develop creative practices with care at the foundation, that are in service to you and the life you want to lead, responsive to your needs, adaptable to your existing priorities and which acknowledge your responsibilities to other people and the planet.

availability

I appreciate this can all sound a bit vague, but as each client and their needs are unique I can honestly say there isn’t a set formula or pattern that I follow. I also don’t make any assumptions about how long we will work together.

After the first session you’ll have a better feeling about how much support you would like, and how often. I have some clients who work with me weekly, once a month, once a season, or on an ad hoc basis depending on what’s going on. For clients with funding to work with me, or mentoring as part of a project, the sessions may happen within a defined time period. It is entirely up to you, and that’s something we can negotiate as we go along.

I currently work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11am-4pm.

I don’t have any rules about cancellations. As someone who lives with their own mental health and physical health challenges (long covid & migraines) I appreciate that life is unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming. Please know I will always understand if you need to cancel last minute and I won’t charge you for any sessions we don’t have.

accessibility

It is my intention to create a welcoming and inclusive space for creative practitioners to explore their experience of creative work in more depth. I have undergone training to become trauma-informed in my practice and approach all client work through this lens.

I have many clients who are neurodiverse (autistic individuals, people with ADHD/ADD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia) as well as people living with chronic illness or other health issues. So if you have any particular access needs that you would like me to be aware of and mindful of as we work together, please do share them with me.

price

I have 2 rates depending on who is paying:

If you are paying for the sessions yourself my hourly rate is £25.
If you have received funding to work with me my hourly rate is £50.

I want to keep my work accessible to as many people as possible, which is why my regular hourly rate is significantly lower than you might expect. Please be aware that this is only possible because my financial needs are met through other sources of income and I am able to make this choice freely.

Other coaches/mentors will price their work according to their needs/situation and my pricing should not be taken as a judgement of the value of anyone else’s offering. This is why when I work with clients who receive funding I insist on an hourly rate that is more in line with what other people in the sector are charging – it’s important to me that the sector values this work and pays people properly.

I invoice at the end of the month for any sessions during that period.

“I took away a sense that we are all just trying our best in a slightly out-dated and imperfect system, which I believe is where your strength is Melody; you are pioneering and leading the discourse in openness and sharing the reality of making, not the fantasy, and I really see that from this space you are enabling us all to redefine the craft space on our terms, by just being really honest about needs and a good dose of reality checking.

I really loved the opportunity you gave me to review, assess and form tangible thoughts about my own practice, it’s been so helpful, and emotional at times, and really has given me confidence to speak openly about my path.”

– Imogen Bright Moon

“I approached this process with a sense that I wanted to gain more clarity about my practice, but had no specifics in mind. By listening carefully to how I spoke about myself and the work, Melody was able to mirror back things that were just beyond what I was able to connect for myself. The act of articulating my work in this setting changed how I observe myself, and in taking a different approach, has enabled me to make new conceptual connections and break out of habitual patterns of both thought and making.”

– Sharon Adams

“Melody is amazing! They really helped me, on a practical level, to break tasks down into more manageable chunks, which enabled me to gain funding and achieve my goals. I chose to work with them because they’re such a knowledgeable and supportive person. Melody’s approachable, warm, welcoming and generous with their time. I felt we ‘clicked’ instantly when we started working together and I really wanted to talk with them, about my practice, yes, but also so many other things as well!

I trust Melody. I feel, and have felt, a continuous stream of unwavering support from them, over many years now. Even as I’ve struggled and floundered around they provided a constant, a grounded reference point, from which I felt better able to reflect and realign my practice. The consistency of their input has made a big impact and, with their nurturing supportive approach, I’ve forged ahead with greater confidence and conviction, believing in who I am and what I do.”

– Rachael Colley

“[Longer term coaching] is a regular ‘check-in’, not only with progress, but where I am emotionally and mentally. It’s a form of self-care; I dedicate time and energy to ponder about where I am and what feels the biggest need for me right now. I juggle a lot of commitments and often my creative practice can shift in priority, this time pulls it back into view and helps me to keep moving forwards. Often, we can get so wrapped up in working in without zooming out at the wider picture. It places me into a different space, where I can think of possibilities without boundaries.”

– Charlie Birtles

“Melody has always been a delight to work with; their kind and calm approach creates a comfortable space that is perfect for effortless discussion and reflection. When talking through an idea their insights and encouragement are not only inspiring, but often leave me feeling drawn closer into the idea of the work itself with new clarity and focus.

For me that has looked like an acknowledgement of new ways of writing about my work and offering me both the emotional and practical advice on how to pursue that in my practice. If you also are looking for an opportunity to mindfully interrogate your work I can’t recommend them enough.”

-Katy Gillam Hull

“I cannot recommend Melody’s mentoring highly enough. They brought a calm, thoughtful, and incredibly practical approach to each of our sessions.

They have a deep understanding of the creative industries, and their ability to listen and ask the right questions has helped me gain clarity on where I wanted to take my artistic practice. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to move forward with decisions I was nervous about taking next steps.

What sets Melody apart is their genuine passion for supporting others to grow. They tailor their guidance to your specific needs, ensuring every session feels productive and inspiring. Thanks to their mentoring and coaching, I feel more focused, motivated, and prepared to achieve my goals as an artist and maker.”

-Lisa Arnott

Other places you can find me: