Annie studied foundation art & design at the university of Derby and is currently studying her BA (Hons) Open University degree on the biology and psychology pathway. Annie Co Founded Whiffle Pig with her incredible friend - and the other half of her mind - Rachel. During a time when they both lost a parent Whiffle Pig bubbled up out of their brains as a form of comfort and distraction; also an excuse for them to spend more time together swimming about in their ludicrous imaginations.

After becoming a carer for her step father following his acute brain injury, Annie began to focus more on helping the wards and charities who had supported their family and the first Whiffle While You Workshops were born using the ‘Whiffle Pig Method’ . Quickly her keen interest in neurological damage expanded on how they could offer more support and rehabilitation.

After Annie’s first child developed difficulties with speech she put herself through Makaton training to aid his communication. In 2017 Annie qualified as a Regional Makaton Tutor and has used this to develop the bespoke workshops for those rehabilitating from an acute brain injury. Shortly after she trained all of the Whiffle Pig lead artists in Makaton so that all of our Whiffle Piglet projects would be ‘Makaton Friendly’ and, therefore accessible to children of all abilities.

Annie has recently relocated to Edinburgh to run Whiffle Pig in East Lothian whilst still visiting Derbyshire to maintain relationships with the patients she has worked with for the past four years.

Mandy has been working with families and young people in creative wellbeing/Arts 4 Health projects since 2009. Originally Mandy joined the Whiffle Pig team as a volunteer and was instantly impressed and inspired by their unique working practices and inclusive, person centred approach. Following successful pilot workshops on the children’s ward, the Whiffle Piglet project was developed, receiving funding from Children In Need to deliver creative activities to patients and siblings in the wards, and to run Makaton workshops in Sure Start Centres and other community settings.

Mandy is interested in many areas of creative participation and particularly enjoy exploring new techniques and ideas with my own children that she can transfer into workshops that other families could enjoy together. Mandy am driven by the enjoyment, wonder, learning and sense of pride the arts can bring to children and that’s what she hopes to encourage in others through the projects we deliver.

Rachel was awarded a BA(Hons) in Contemporary Arts from MMU Cheshire and has spent approximately ten years since exploring the world of Arts & Health. Influenced by the pure awesomeness of her late mother, Rachel Co-founded Whiffle Pig with her glorious friend Annie, someone who she not only relied upon for support during difficult times but also for inducing a good belly laugh that brought tears streaming down her face!

Rachel later added Nursing education to her repertoire until her father needed further care in the home due to Parkinson's Disease. Caring for both parents has meant that Rachel's interest in nursing and care has now flourished in her love of Art, particularly influencing her enjoyment in writing children's stories and poetry, something she has always done since she was a child. After writing and publishing The Blue & Pink Fox book, as well as designing and creating handmade toys to accompany the story, Rachel is now keen to keep developing her little universe inhabited by fantasy creatures and invite others to explore her world by working with their creativity and imagination, tapping into their unique and valuable experiences.