Record-breaking skydiver and founder of the Touch Trust charity, Dilys Price is hosting a fundraising evening at the Wales Millennium Centre this month. She tells Molly Catterall more.
Tell us a little bit about Touch Trust, and what you’re doing at the WMC this July.
Touch Trust is a community charity focusing on the creative expression for those with disabilities. The Wales Millennium Centre is so essential for us and the work we do. We find ways to bring people back into society for those who have felt isolated. Until the day I die I am motivated by the smiles of the people I help. This fundraising evening will allow us to remain at the place we so much love and continue to grow the programme abroad to places where it really needs to be.
Why are dance and touch effective in helping disabled people?
Right after the war, children at an orphanage were not touched. Touch is an essential part of the development and everyone needs to be touched. Our unique programme is an effective form of therapy through the exploration of our senses. We found after children were exposed to touch, they wanted to be touched more. There is a realisation and need for creative, expressive approaches – helping us discover who we are.
In a world surrounded by negativity, war, and climate breakdown, what encourages your drive, your get up and go – while maintaining your happiness and motivation?
I feel we need to learn not to get depressed from the negativity seen within the media. As people, we have two instincts. We have one for survival and the other for service or giving. We can’t have a good community unless we fulfil both. If we shine a bit of light, there is a huge amount of good which is going on. I feel my role is to help someone understand that being small can make a difference, by changing the world from the ground up. If you smile at someone you can change their day. The Dalai Lama once said that, “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”. Often people have said to me you have your head in the clouds, but I have my feet anchored and head in the clouds. If you want to change the world you need to have both.
Once people become tense, they begin to lose touch with themselves and start to feel disconnected. You have to find a passion and motivation to do something about it from your heart. For me, after feeling too stressed to do anything, I discovered sky diving. You have to turn those stones over. Through thinking positive and giving yourself affirmation you will begin to feel connected with yourself again and discover your drive.
If you could recommend one place in Wales to a first-time visitor that’s off the beaten track and not on the tourist maps, where would it be and why?
I love going to the Big Pit in Blaenavon, I take my children there. It’s full of wonder and allows them to be creative.
An Evening With Dilys Price OBE, Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sun 14 July. Tickets: £25/£20. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk