Jo WhiteCEO

Jo has worked as a musician and manager in the Arts for Health sector since 2002. She created the Wishing Well programme in 2013 and co-founded Wishing Well Music for Health as an independent organisation in 2019. During this time, Wishing Well has brought live, participatory music to the bedsides of thousands of people in hospitals across Sussex and Surrey.

A lifelong Musician, she is committed to using music to co-create healthcare environments where the whole hospital community thrive, feels connected and more joyful.

Take a look at Jo’s TEDx talk on how music helps people regain a sense of control. 

Olivia DoyleTrustee Strategy and Funding

Olivia has held roles in institutional funding, policy, programme management and strategy with charities working in developing countries including Frontline AIDS, Sightsavers and Christian Aid. In all three organisations she has been involved in developing interventions to support communities marginalised due to their gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, HIV status or other factors.

After graduating from University, Olivia had the opportunity to volunteer for community arts organisations in Manchester and remains passionate about the way arts can generate individual and social change.

She is excited about Wishing Well taking music to the places where it is most needed.

Eleanor CarsonTrustee Treasurer

Eleanor is a Clinical Psychologist and has worked in the NHS for over 20 years. She’s a keen flute player and enjoys playing with others in a local amateur orchestra.

Before becoming a therapist Eleanor trained as an auditor, becoming a part qualified (CIMA) accountant with the audit commission. 

Anisa DarTrustee
Anisa has been part of the development sector since 2010 utilizing her expertise in program designing, training, and evidence-based advocacy. Throughout her career, she has prioritized the empowerment of people, especially those hailing from fragile and conflict-affected settings. Her intersectional approach to safeguarding and protection allows her to help people experiencing multiple vulnerabilities.

Working as an expert on Safeguarding, Child Protection, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion, Anisa has been involved in strengthening accountability mechanisms and building capacity for several organisations like Acted, Read Foundation, Safeguarding Resource Support Hub (RSH), Save the Children and UN agencies. She has worked with missions in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Haiti, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, Thailand and Afghanistan to mainstream these areas of work. Anisa holds a Tier 1 and Tier 2 SEAH Investigators Training Qualification Scheme given by CHS Alliance, and has been engaged in several sensitive investigations.

Anisa is pursuing a degree at King’s College London in the field of International Child Rights and Development. Due to her strong belief in the healing power of music, Anisa is excited to continue her learning journey by being a part of Wishing Well as the Safeguarding Trustee.

Denise CookTrustee

Denise is a Registered Practitioner with over 30 years experience working in the NHS. She trained as a Biomedical Scientist in Pathology at Kings College Hospital, London and worked through her career to Head Biomedical Scientist before moving into Executive and Senior Executive roles and into her current role within a leading Pathology network as Senior Executive for Quality, Governance, Learning and Development, reporting into the Pathology Network Board.

Denise is passionate about authentic and compassionate leadership and is a member of the Kings Fund Alumni having completed the Top Manager Programme in 2022. She has a keen interest in professional values, behavioural styles and emotional agility within the workplace and endeavours to coach and develop team, individual and system potential, particularly in challenging times. She combines these elements to bring about a meaningful shift in peoples motivation and actions. She is also a trained professional coach and mentor working with individuals and teams in varying sectors.

Denise has seen the value of music to well-being, as a music player, observer and listener for those in healthcare settings and within her local community and is honored to be a Trustee of Wishing Well.

Our Musicians
The Wishing Well musicians are professional facilitators trained to bring our skills into hospital settings to play for and with everyone on the ward.

We are composers, performers, producers, multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, brought together in this organisation by our passion for connecting with people through a shared musical experience.

We love hearing people’s stories and following wherever they lead.