About Creative Optimistic Visions
We are a Community Interest Company, passionate about Protective Behaviours. We believe we all have the right to feel safe. Our mission is to provide organisations and individuals with the tools to enable this via education, training, mentoring, youth and community services for people of all ages.
Our Story
Our story begins in 2012, where our founder Stacey-Jade Mason developed the idea for educating young people about Protective Behaviours through the art of lyricism. Music was her only safe space for a long time, and she knew that she could share that with others. Using her lived experiences and seeding support from organisations like Coventry University, The Protective Behaviours Consortium, and business mentor and friend Mr David Williamson, Stacey has built a social enterprise that now delivers a range of award-winning services to thousands of individuals throughout the UK.
Since the trial of our first project – Urban Arts – COV has expanded and grown from one determined individual, to a strong and committed team of trainers, youth workers, mentors, and volunteers. Creative Optimistic Visions is more successful than ever, and provides a range of bespoke programmes with people of all ages, and aims to ensure that whatever your Protective Behaviour needs, we can support you.
Why Protective Behaviours? Protective Behaviours has been utilised to enable and support people since the 1970s.
Protective Behaviours is an internationally acclaimed process which teaches specific strategies to help face challenges with confidence without sacrificing the right to feel safe.
It is a practical and down to earth approach to personal safety which encourage self-empowerment and brings with it the skills to encourages an adventurous approach to life which satisfies the need for fun and excitement without violence and fear.
Protective Behaviours is a tried and true set of principles. At Creative Optimistic Visions, we keep this well grounded and real. What we do is practical. The difference we make is in real life. We speak out to be heard, and inspire confidence.
Like our name, we believe that we can only change things if we’re imaginative, positive, and working together to create brighter futures for all in our community.
Youth Sessions & Events
Increase in attendances in 2023/24 across all services
session attendances during 2023/24
Want to learn more? From Protective Behaviours Training to Mentor Support, Safeguarding Training to Urban Arts, we’re dedicated to providing the best.
Meet the Team
Stacey-Jade
Founding Director
Stacey-Jade Mason is an award-winning Protective Behaviours Trainer. Stacey publicly speaks at many different events inspiring others from her story of surviving CSE and speaking honestly and openly about her journey. Her mission is to educate all about the Protective Behaviours process and how it can help enable a healthier, safer and fulfilling life.
Karen
Operations Manager
Karen is responsible for coordinating quality assurance and ensuring that all individuals engaging with our services are provided with the support they need to ensure they get the most out of their interaction with Creative Optimistic Visions.
Elaine
Youth Mentor
Elaine supports people accessing our services with one to one mentoring support. Providing emotional and practical support based on the individuals needs. Elaine also supports with our Youth Provision and community projects.
Shelby aka Shelbert
Therapy Dog (in training)
Shelby provides comfort, affection and support to people accessing our services. Shelby is still in training, she turns one year old in March 2024. Shelby has passed her Bronze Level Kennel Club Good Cizitenship Scheme. She has been nicknamed ‘Shelbert’ due to her hair behind her large fluffy ears which resembles the hair style of Albert Einstein. As a working German Shepheard she is very smart and like us, loves to learn. Shelby will progress onto her Silver Award and aims to be a ‘certified’ therapy dog by the age of 2years.
Board of Directors
Our Board is comprised of dedicated women who give their time voluntarily (on Sunday mornings) to ensure that Creative Optimistic Visions meets its mission.
They ensure that the company strives to meet its social mission, and to serve our community, partners, clients and the COV staff and volunteers in a consistent and conscientious manner at all times.
Jane Osmond, Chair
As a university researcher, I have been passionate about advocating for women and young people throughout my working life, especially in the area of education. Previously, I was chair of KairosWWT and Managing Editor of Women’s Views on News.
I joined as COV Chair at the beginning in March 2014 and have watched the organisation grow and thrive as it supports more and more people to reach their potential. I have been/and am honoured to work with such a creative and engaged board of directors who support COV to maximise its impact on the local community.
Adele Marie Campbell
My background is working within the Food Manufacturing Industry for a leading Food Manufacturer. I have gained a vast experience throughout the business, the last 10 years being within the UK & Export Sales sector which I really enjoy.
I have known Stacey since her birth and have watched her grow into the very successful young woman that she has become today.
I am in awe of Stacey’s drive and passion for her chosen profession, and she is wise beyond her years. Both Stacey and her team at COV have impacted so many lives and continue to do so.
I consider myself honoured to be part of such a team of inspirational women who make such difference to many vulnerable people from all walks of life.
Amber Taroni
I have a diverse background in terms of work and lived experience. I am currently working for Coventry University supporting those who have experienced harassment and hate, and I have a keen interest in seeing young people succeed and flourish.
I first met Stacey whilst working for Coventry Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Centre (CRASAC) and was blown away by her passion. I then had the privilege of working with her in 2018 at COV and supported our service users using the Protective Behaviours theory and its benefits. It’s an honour to be part of the board.
Laura Fisher
I joined the COV board in October 2020. I met Stacey via a Protective Behaviours training course to the team I worked in previously and it was so powerful, both professionally and personally. I really connected with her and her story and when I saw an advert for board members, I didn’t hesitate to apply.
I currently work for a Charity in Coventry and before this spent 10 years working in Educational Outreach. I have also chaired several governing boards at primary schools across the city and been a Trustee at several local charities.
I recently founded my own grassroots organisation, Survivor Sanctuary and Stacey and the Board have been a huge support. I feel honoured to be part of the COV family.
Sarah Learmonth
It is a pleasure to be part of COV’s Board, and I hold Stacey-Jade Mason and the organisation in extremely high regard.
My experience started in the corporate and sales arena, I then changed direction, working for 9 years in a Rape Crisis Centre as a Policy and Communications Lead and now as a PhD researcher on issues tackling violence against women and girls.
Through my work and studies I have come to understand that multiple oppressions can intersect in young people’s lives to result in reduced choices, increasing barriers to support and decreasing access to justice. It is important to me that I use whatever privilege I have to listen to their voices and support and further their rights. Where the subject matter is so compelling, I also feel it is absolutely right to inform both public and private organisations and give them the opportunity to learn more about the issues and contribute to our movement that we all have the right to feel safe.
It is a joy to do this work alongside like-minded women who I find both stimulating and supportive and who are committed to similar goals.
Partners
Building strong, reliable partnerships is the foundation to ensuring our continuing success. We are very proud to work with local, regional, and national organisations to provide the highest quality of service and support. We would like to thank our partners for their continued support, helping us to deliver award-winning programmes and a proven track record.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you are interested in any of the services we have to offer. Creative Optimistic Visions can tailor any work to suit the needs you require. Please do not hesitate to contact us regarding any query, we are always happy to talk with you.
213 Walsgrave Road (Ball Hill), Coventry, CV2 4HH
024 7644 5439 / 07532 364 336
info@creativeoptimisticvisions.co.uk