Our Journey

The Button Moon Trust provides professional development and training opportunities for performers working with disadvantaged children and supports animal welfare charities.


The Button Moon Trust was set up in 2015 by Ian Allen, creator of the classic children’s show Button Moon, in memory of the late Violet Philpott, to recognise her extraordinary contribution to British puppetry and children’s theatre.

Violet believed that human warmth and energy made for convincing puppetry and this is evident in all her creations and performances. A great advocate of the therapeutic uses of puppetry, and a dedicated supporter of the Educational Puppetry Association (founded in 1943 and amalgamated with the Puppet Centre Trust in 1978), Violet regularly ran workshops and gave performances for disabled and disadvantaged people.

The transmission of hope, confidence and fun through creativity is Violet’s continuing legacy and is the ethos of The Button Moon Trust.


The Button Moon Trust is a registered charity (no.1167152) and is managed by Trustees:

Ian Allen (Chairman)

Kate Shortt

Roman Stephanski

Martin Humphries

Read more about the current Button Moon Trustees.

Would you like to support The Button Moon Trust by becoming a Trustee?

If you have skills that can help the trust, such as legal of financial training, or perhaps you have experience working with children who have learning disabilities, then perhaps you may like to consider being a trustee.

You would have to attend or have virtual meetings, five times a year. If you travel to our London meeting room, the travel and accomodation expenses will be paid.

If you’re interested to be a Button Moon Trustee please contact Ian Allen.

You can also read more about being a charity trustee, or visit The Charity Commission website.