Who we are

CMS is a Christian mission, founded over 200 years ago by opponents of slavery, that works for freedom and transformation around the world.

Free For All is part of the wider CMS settingcaptivesfree programme. Visit http://www.cms-uk.org/ for more details.

Anita Matthews has worked in a wide range of schools in her capacity as a curate in North London, and worked as full-time teacher and School Chaplain for four years at Derby High School. Much of her interest in working creatively to explore issues with children stems from time spent at St Albans Cathedral Education Centre, where drama and music played an integral role, and from running creative workshops for children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

David Pollendine is also part of BigIntent. He trained in Human Movement Studies and became a P.E. teacher before relocating to the Czech Republic for 8 years. During this time he worked in universities helping Christian students explore mission in a post communist context. As part of this work he established a Prague-based Physical Theatre company, which toured nationally and throughout central Europe. David has since studied under the Mimes Carlos Martinez in Germany, Desmond Jones in London and at the Morley acting school in London. He has performed extensively in street theatre and fringe venues both in the UK and abroad.

Mike North is trained in youth and community work and theology and previously lived and worked in York where he developed the youth and children's work in St Michael le Belfrey for 10 years and co-ordinated a number of youth and children's musical performances. He has also developed and hosted a number of large cathedral events and now heads up the youth team's monthly podcast called trax16. Mike plays piano and guitar and has over ten years experience of radio presentation.

BigIntent Theatre In Education Company encourages young people to explore the world and push their boundaries through the creative arts. Visit: http://www.bigintent.com/

Ayozie Pollendine was born and raised in Nigeria before coming to London at the age of 15. Trained in Law, she then decided to pursue a career in singing. Ayozie has trained under a top musical theatre teacher, and is continuing her training with the English National Opera. She has performed with the East London Gospel Choir at the Brit Awards, recorded songs for Seagull Theatre of the Gorge and made a debut West End Performance in the Musical Esther at the Palace Theatre. Ayozie continues to teach for the theatre school and now has two young daughters to contend with at the same time.

Daniel Pollendine was trained in Human Movement Studies before becoming a teacher in R.E. and P.S.E. Daniel was head of department at Lampton school in Hounslow for 6 years, also acting as chair for the teachers group on SACRE, where he became committed to multicultural education. He went on to study mime in London and worked in the UK and abroad within Physical Theatre. Daniel has also worked on nine productions with Seagull Theatre in Education as Musical Director and Choreographer and is currently performing in a two-man show as well as developing the coming years syllabus for the Big Intent theatre school, which has now been running three years.

Sian Murray has toured extensively throughout the Country. She has worked for the BBC in Radio and on Television. Sian has also been involved in Mime and Physical Theatre and appeared in London as a singer in Cabaret, also has performed Marie Lloyd at Coventry. Her preference is Theatre and Radio. Sian has now developed skills in Writing and Directing for the younger audience, and for the past few years has been involved in "grass roots theatre". She was also a founder member of Seagull Theatre of The Gorge and continues to write and perform in shows across the country.

Zoe Palmer has recently completed an Msc. in Human Ecology at The University of Strathclyde and studied on ENO’s performance programme for young singers. She has performed at Glastonbury Festival where she was part of The Cosmicorus, a 20-piece psychadellic gypsy jazz choir. Other performances include: Solomon Child (BBC Radio 3), PUSH (The Young Vic.), I Pagliacci (The Royal Opera House), Precious Bane (Pentabus Theatre Company). She is currently working as singer in residence with Opera North education in Leeds.

Ade Omotayo is a 28-year-old singer, songwriter from Hackney in east London. He spent 4 years training at the English National Opera as part of the works, as well as formative years within the Gospel and Afro beat scene in Nigeria. Ade has worked as a singer with Bobby McFerrin, Basement Jaxx and Amy Winehouse. He has also appeared on the Charlotte Church and Sharon Osbourne shows and Later with Jools Holland. Ade has also worked in theatre in education as an actor, singer and dancer with Big Intent Theatre Company.