Isolation
We held a conversation around the theme of isolation. The group recognised that there were different types of isolation, including geographical, connected to mental health, neuro diversity, accessibility and diversity.
Many people present related to feeling isolated for a variety of reasons, such as the fact that puppetry has so many branches, many artists by necessity work alone, the sector is not well networked, and the UK has many rural and isolated areas where puppeteers are far distant from one another. It was also recognised that the chances for meeting fellow artists, such as festivals, training opportunities and sector events such as the Skipton Symposium are few and far between. The problem is accentuated for young or early career artists as they know fewer people, and it can feel as if they need to break into a circle. They are also at a stage in their puppet journey where they may have more need to reach out for things such as advice, support, mentoring, feedback and encouragement.
Overall the main conversation ranged over ideas of how to address isolation by building a Puppet Family and Community.
Ideas explored;
1) Creating micro/local communities to network better with regular informal gatherings. There used to be some networks like this, but many have stopped, maybe because the volunteers that ran them moved on. Therefore fresh initiatives needed.
These gatherings could play host to…
• Bring a project you are working on
• Mend/repair shops/advice
• Jam sessions to play with puppets or other connected art-forms
• Problem solving on shared issues
• Soup nights and socials, general jolly good time to share and meet people
These meetings could be actual in a real space (preferable) but could also be online. To facilitate this, it would be ideal to find an actual space, and that 3 or more people get together to organise it to make sure the burden of organising it is shared. It was suggested that a resource pack would be good to give people ideas as to how to set up these regional groups. To make sure potential new people could be included, people could always introduce but a notice of any planned gathering could be sent out through the network such as on Puppeteers UK newsletter.

2) Creation of an online network / platform / forum for sharing resources.
This idea was repeated much over the weekend and would help address the problem of isolation in many ways.
These resources could include…
• Puppet beds - there is always a need for puppeteers travelling to work, events, training could put a call out for a bed/accommodation space – puppeteers could offer their contacts for potential bed space. The Puppet Bed network would not only reduce overheads when things are tight, but build friendships and ‘Puppet Family’ networks.
• Mentoring opportunities – offered or asked for.
• Recycling – Puppets/ props/ tech kit, needed or looking for a home.
• Spaces – Any company that has a space that could be used on an occasional or regular basis could offer. (during the conversation Alison McGowan from Puppet Ship CIC has offered to host a monthly session)
• Lift sharing – to help share costs of attending puppet events and training opportunities

3) Sharing contacts – The Symposium organisers to be asked if all delegates could share contact details. This is being actioned. The issue of staying in touch was discussed, of creating and expanding your ‘Puppet Family’ and supporting each other like you would a sibling, and of strengthening bonds created at buzz events such as Skipton.

4) Organisations as focus for puppet communities were discussed. Also, that the organisations need puppeteers to engage. We can’t expect too much when organisations are run solely by volunteers, and for many of them it is the same volunteers for years. The idea that young puppeteers need to get on board. This can be daunting for young people that have not been involved with committees and organisations before. The idea of role sharing was mooted again that people could work in supportive groups of 3 to avoid burn out or gaps in time and energy.

5) Finally the question - What can we do now? Was asked. Generally answers were arrived at in the above ideas. Additional ideas included…

• Working in task forces of 3 to share loads, specific jobs and actions
• Create more local and micro events. E.g. a day where 2 or 3 companies share their work. Could be in a free space just for themselves, or could be a fund raising or charity show.
• Stay in touch!!!!