FOUNDED in 1994 to maximiSe people’s potential through arts and sport 

We're about saying yes and getting on with it, despite the obstacles.

What we do:

• Use sports and arts disciplines as rehabilitation tools to empower and educate underprivileged and socially disadvantaged youth

• Run therapeutic/educational rehabilitation programs for people who are socially, physically or mentally challenged

• Assist participants in gaining confidence through realising their ability and potential 

• Promote interactive educational, social, and cultural awareness

• Produce sports programs, performing arts, and art projects in local communities to encourage heightened community and individual awareness

• Individual and group therapy. We help individuals to achieve understanding and self acceptance using psychodrama, metaphor clay work, playback theatre, drama therapy, counselling, spectrograms, and projective techniques

Who we are:

Uniquely, the trust’s work is driven by a highly qualified and trained professional drama therapist with over thirty years of experience in the field. The trust also uses a talent base of professional actors, teachers, youth mentors, and musicians, supplemented by the input of dedicated volunteers to provide experiences that educate, support, and nurture people.

History:

Maxine Donnellan trained as an actor and drama therapist in Australia and England. She was so inspired by the power of the creative process and how functional it was in making people feel powerful and validated that she created the Healing Through Arts & Action trust with Emily Hepburn, Terry Axford, and Siobhan Hollings.

At the time, Terry was an international model, athlete, artist and businessman. Siobhan was a fashion designer specialising in outrageous costumes and fabulous sets. She ran a very successful catering company business for the film industry. Emily Hepburn was an artist, administrator, and academic.

For nearly 30 years, we have been working in different communities and connecting with people from all walks of life.

The team:

Maxine Donnellan (BADth, ROth, ADCA, LTCL, BA HUM) - Director & Clinical and Consultant Therapist. Maxine has worked extensively in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom with challenged youth. She runs regular workshops on self-development. She is an active member of many communities, identifying project opportunities throughout. She combines dance, drama, art, and therapy to enhance the therapeutic aspect of the trust. 

Terry Axford - Youth Mentor. Terry’s focus is on working with youth in arts and sports programs. As a founding member of the trust, he helps young people to achieve confidence in order to address their fears, build on their passions, exceed their expectations, and take responsibility as leaders for their peers. 

Siobhan Hollings - Producer & Costume Designer. Siobhan has worked in the trust since 1994, being one of its founders, with a focus on developing self-esteem and anti-bullying shows. She keeps the trust on track with her strong production skills, and by heading our administration. She has a Diploma in Clothing and Textile Design from Wellington Unitec.

Catherine Chappell - Project Coordinator & Dance Therapist. For the past 20 years, Catherine has worked tirelessly to develop and showcase the work of dancers with and without disabilities on a national and international stage. As a mentor, choreographer, dancer, and producer, Catherine is well known for her pioneering aerial dance displays. Having been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for her work, Catherine has continued her exemplary work for the trust through dance therapy, utilising choreographer and artistic expression to mentor those with an array of challenges.

Thorne Snow (BA, MCW) - Project Coordinator & Youth Mentor. Thorne has worked in a number of New Zealand charities including Variety - the Children’s Charity, and the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand. He has extensive experience in marketing and administration, and has assisted in the creative and behind-the-scenes work of many of our projects and initiatives.

Forrest Axford - Youth Mentor & Actor. Forrest has been actively involved in several trust projects since a young age, and has demonstrated his enormous capacity to give back to our community, both through sports and creative programmes. Forrest has recently graduated from the University of Auckland with a Major in psychology, and has previously worked at Odyssey House helping youth recover from past addictions through rehabilitation.

Ash Jones - Actor & Storyteller. From working on-screen with Geoffrey Rush and Kate Bosworth in American action films, to working as a lead with the Auckland Theatre Company, Ash is known for incredible talents. He has worked in the trust for over a decade, and continues to work in the wider community as an actor, producer, and director.

Justin Haiu - Dancer, teacher, actor and performance extraordinaire. Justin has a background in street theatre and b-boying/hiphop performance, and is known for pioneering the revival of break-dancing in New Zealand. He formally trained at Brent Street School of Performing Arts in Sydney before becoming a cast member of Disney's Theatre Production, 'The Lion King'. He has worked alongside New Zealand’s leading choreographer, Michael Parmenter. He has toured with Black Grace Dance Company, Red Leap Theatre Company, and White Face Crew. 

Briar Hollings - Administrative Assistant. Briar has recently completed her Masters programme at the University of Auckland, and graduated with first honours in 2019. At present, Briar splits her time between serving as the Minister of the Interior at Strathmashie Distillery in Scotland, and carrying out many of our administrative requirements abroad.