Belinda May, Chair
FROM THE CHAIR Finding hope in a challenging time
W
hat a year 2020 has been. As I write this we are coming to the end of our second national lockdown and I am looking towards 2021, a new year with renewed hope. This year, more than ever before, I have been overwhelmed by the dedication of the members of Council. They volunteer freely their time and expertise to serve on STAT Council for the benefit of all members. Covid 19 has presented more challengers than ever, for the health and safety of our members and those we teach, as well as our legal position regarding teaching. This year I would especially like to thank the members of Council, and of course Ilia in the office too. They have tirelessly worked for us, giving hundreds of hours (this is not an exaggeration) of their time. As the government’s frequent changes to the Covid legislation were issued they have not only liaised with our insurers, but read innumerable government documents, sifting through endless pages to distil the salient points and then communicating them to us, through readable and informative emails. At the forefront of their minds has been the well-being of STAT, its members and the Alexander Technique. So thank you all very, very much. This year has brought many challenges to each and every one of us. Loss of work, income, our livelihood. At times feeling bereft and despairing of As the government’s how to continue with our practice. But out of these worries and fears I feel some hope and newness has frequent changes to the arisen. Some teachers have explored remote teaching legislation were issued and found how successful this can be in helping a pupil learn constructive conscious control for themselves. [Council] have not only Pupils have reported a real sense of achievement as liased with our insurers, they learn to apply the Alexander Technique in their lives. Those in isolation due to health, and those who but read innumerable live in a remote location too far from a teacher to have documents, sifting face to face lessons, have managed to access lessons and feel the benefits of the Technique. through endless pages As we have moved through the year Council has to distill the salient continued to work on its many and varied projects, and will continue to do so next year. We are looking points... for new members, and we especially would welcome anyone with knowledge of accounting and/ or social Editor’s note: Apologies to Belinda and media marketing. If you feel you would like to offer readers of STATnews for an error in which an some of your time and skills in either of these areas, or to just send your thanks, please contact the office at earlier version of From the Chair previously appeared on this page. info@stat.org.uk.
“
STAT Council Chair Belinda May Secretary David Harrowes Treasurer Mike Cribb Ordinary Council Members Antonella Cavallone, Roger Kidd, Esther Miltiadous, Andy Moorhouse, Rhiannon Jones and Jane Morris. Lay members Joe Abbott-Gribben STAT Office Staff General Manager Ilia Daoussi ilia@stat.org.uk Membership Officer & Welfare Officer Luke Chatterton luke@stat.org.uk
Contribute to STATnews STATnews needs your contributions. Whether it be a review of a book you’ve read or a workshop you’ve recently attended, or a feature article about an aspect of the AT, please send it to us at the email address below. Here are a few points to note regarding submissions and content: • Items are accepted for publication on the understanding that they may be shortened. We will contact you if we wish to request extensive edits. • Please state if your piece has been
pubished somewhere else already. • Copyright belongs to the authors and articles may not be reproduced without permission. • Please include photography or suitable images to accompany your article, if possible. • The views expressed in STATnews are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or the society. • If you are reviewing an event or a book, it is most appreciated if you can share some of the details of what
you learned. This makes for a more interesting and rewarding reading experience • Every effort is made to avoid inaccuracies but if you believe you have spotted one, please contact us (email address below). • If you have an event, publication or product which you wish to advertise in STATNews, please contact us.. The May issue deadline is 1st April. Please send submissions to statnews@ stat.org.uk
