My wife, Karen Adcock Doyle, who has died aged 56 of a cerebral aneurysm, became children’s services manager with the charity Barnardo’s in 1992. Karen studied anthroposophy – the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner – and, with support from Barnardo’s, took the dance and somatic wellbeing master’s course at the University of Central Lancashire, so that she could develop somatic work – harnessing the therapeutic powers of the body – with children affected by trauma or sexual abuse. She later became part of the Knowing Body Network, a collective of dance artists working in health and community settings.
Karen was warm, funny, outspoken and passionate. When told that she wanted to do somatic movement work with children, some of her colleagues in Barnardo’s thought it sounded a bit bonkers. But Karen was brave and ahead of her time in her thinking, and what she proposed many years ago is now recognised as an important element of work with children who have experienced trauma.
At Barnardo’s, Karen challenged traditional thinking. In 1992, she met Diana, Princess of Wales, while developing an HIV/Aids planning service, and her later work as a therapeutic project worker delivering services to vulnerable children and families was recognised in 2010 with an award presented by the Duchess of Cornwall, president of Barnardo’s.
Karen was born in Altrincham, the daughter of George Adcock, a butcher, and Marjorie Fendall (nee Eckersley), a financial adviser. After leaving Kingsway girls’ school in Cheadle, Karen trained to be a state registered nurse in learning disability, then became a community nurse in Manchester and in Bolton. She took a round-the-world trip with a friend and worked for a children’s charity in London, before returning to Manchester. After a spell as a community nurse in Runcorn, she joined Barnardo’s.
Karen and I married in 1993, and in 2009 we moved to York so that our son, Finlay, could attend a Steiner project there. Karen left Barnardo’s in 2010, then after two years started working at Haxby Road primary academy in York, and later with the wider Ebor Academy Trust as safeguarding and wellbeing team leader. Her work was recognised with an award from the local Groves Association for services to the Haxby Road school community.
She used movement to open up a child’s sensory and imaginative landscape, and often spoke eloquently about the effects of this experiential learning in helping children to become active and positive members of the school community.
In 2017, Karen and Jasmine Pasch co-wrote a chapter for Miranda Tufnell’s When I Open My Eyes. Karen’s final research explored the effects of somatic work with children at risk of exclusion from school. Through play and movement exploration, Karen’s work supported children to cope better with their home and school environment.
Karen was vibrant and full of life. Some people have a way about them, a special gift for connecting and understanding. Karen was one of the very best.
Karen is survived by me and Finlay, and by her mother, Marjorie, and brother, Steven.
