Hi I am Ray, I am the founder of Drum with Us and I facilitate drum and rhythm workshops throughout the UK for a wide spectrum of audiences. I bring my skills as a teacher, facilitator, experienced drummer and Humanistic Counsellor to all areas of my work from Schools through to Mental Health, Nuero-Diverse audiences, at risk populations and a variety of other groups and organisations. I have also spent 25 years in the public sector working around the world (Africa, Carribean, Middle East and Europe ) and able to bring my learning and skills to your session.
I have many years experience working with people with additional needs throughout the UK including regular sessions working with such groups as MENCAP, Disability Challengers, HALOW, See-Ability, The Grange at Bookham, Treloars School and College, Queen Elizabeth Foundation and Crossroads respite provision. I have also brought drumming into other organisations such as Princesss Alice Trust, Sam Beare and Woking Hospice and Phylis Tuckwell for personal expression and exploration and also just for fun.
I am also a Rhythm2Recovery trainer and practitioner and lead programmes in schools, clubs and with specific populations to address emotional and social development, bullying, violence prevention, healthy relationships and addiction early intervention. I am also able to train you or your staff to help deliver these programmes.
Welcome to Drum With Us!
Drumming
Scroll through the different types of drumming we provide, or click any of these links for more information.
About Me
I am a humanistic counsellor, drummer and founder of Drumwithus and lead workshops throughout the UK. I am also a Rhythm2Recovery practitioner and trainer leading workshops and training events throughout the UK ( Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland ), Europe as well as in Australia and Tasmania. I am also a VMC certified drum circle facilitator.
My emphasis at all times is on fun, maximum participation and to offer a tailored experiential fun filled hands on rhythmical experience using drums, percussion and voice to create a collective rhythmical piece of work involving collaboration between all the participants.
I work extensively in leading schools, special needs groups, hospices, bereavement, mental health and counsellor groups using rhythm, specific developed protocols and my counselling skills to work with these audiences in group and personal exploration.
I am passionate about using the drum as a tool to not only teach, but also to explore ourselves and the environment we are in and to bring my skills to your classroom, the drum circle, counselling and corporate environment for group and personal growth.
Workshops and Public Events
February 4th - Cranleigh Community Drum Circle. (2.00 - 3.00pm)
Cranleigh Arts Centre, Cranleigh, Surrey.
Tickets £5 available below.
https://cranleigharts.org/event/community-drum-circle/
VMC Drum Circle 3 day Facilitators Training 2023.
March 30th - April 2nd 2023.
Wiston Lodge, Biggar, Scotland.
Register here :http://ukplayshop.co.uk/register/
VMC Drum Circle Mentor plus 6 day Facilitators Training 2023.
October 5th - 15th 2023.
Wiston Lodge, Biggar, Scotland.
Register here :http://ukplayshop.co.uk/register/
Rhythm to Recovery
I am a Rhythm2Recovery trainer and practitioner leading training workshops in the UK, Ireland and Europe and previously in Barcelona, Australia, Tasmania.
The Rhythm2Recovery model is an evidence based practice that combines experiential rhythmic music with cognitive reflection and draws upon a number of well documented therapeutic approaches, that deliver positive psychological and physiological outcomes. These include research on the benefits of participatory music, the vast documentation that supports cognitive behavioural therapy, and more recent studies showcasing the benefits of acceptance and commitment therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness.
I am able to provide and lead full workshops training / one day introductions to tailored workshops for specific groups.
No previous musical experience is required or needed all drums and percussion provided.
More can be found at www.rhythm2recovery.com
Links to the evidence www.rhythm2recovery.com/evidence/
All R2R Products can be purchased direct from me at e : ray@drumwithus.com.
R2R products www.rhythm2recovery.com/products/
R2R UK and Ireland Workshop Dates
March 19th- 20th 2022.
The Maitre Studio, 4, The Mount, Belfast BT5 4NA.
Cost : Early Bird £250 ( Ends March 11th 2022)
Full Cost £275
April 9th - 10th 2022.
The Peveril Suite, 10 Railway Street, Glossop, SK13 7AG.
Cost : Early Bird £250 ( Ends March 11th 2022)
Full Cost £275
R2R Online Training and
Resources
In this time of limited Face to Face contact due to the COVID-19 virus, R2R now offers a complete set of training and program materials to support your work, using our evidence based model of Rhythm & Reflection.
Sign up and get exclusive access to our new COVID-19 Resilience & Recovery Manual – a five session, brief intervention, for addressing COVID related anxiety and uncertainty.
COURSE OVERVIEW – KEY LEARNING AREAS
Finding Your Base – examining the foundations that support people through times of chaos and uncertainty.
Managing Change – examining the way people respond and adapt successfully to change.
Stress Reduction – examining different strategies for managing stress and anxiety.
Overcoming Adversity – examining those factors that support resilience in the face of hardship.
Hope for a Better Future – empowering a positive frame of mind and the hopes and dreams of participants for their future.
Sign-up now to receive access to the following:
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Exclusive COVID -19 Resilience & Recovery Manual
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90-page R2R Training Workbook (Hardcopy – sent to your door)
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Over 200 training videos
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Program templates for working with veterans, the elderly, parents, domestic violence, bullying and more
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Full explanations of over 150 fun & practical rhythm games, with accompanying discussion questions
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Evaluation measures & questionnaires
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Advice on successful program implementation
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Rhythm2Recovery Discussion forum membership
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25% discount at any future Face to face workshop of your choice.
£175.00 + Booking Fee
Reflections on Rhythm
Reflections on Rhythm was a project born from many conversations with many facilitators scattered around the globe, but a very special mention goes to Debbie Beirne of Ruach Rhythms who really crystalised my thinking. I wanted to explore what it is that we do as facilitators, why we do it, what do we consider when we work ? The impact it has on the groups that we work with, the professionalism that we bring to these groups and the years of investment in training and continual professional development.
I wanted to celebrate our uniqueness and our similarities, the hard work we put in to what we do and get an understanding of who we all are. I felt that it was really important to speak to facilitators at the "Coal - Face" who worked everyday with a multitude of audiences from around Europe to experience the work from as many perspectives as possible to really get a sense of who we are. In the conversations below you will get a sense of all of that and more. It really is not just about rocking up with a van load of drums. It is so much more than that and hopefully you will get the essence of what it is from the conversations that follow.
Contact Me
For questions about events and services I can proivde as well as availability please use the form below to contact me.