Services

Young people need safe spaces where they feel listened to, with people they can rely on. In a pressured world, both for the young person and the adults that support them, that can be hard to find. I aim to be that person, providing a space to explore, find their voice, and make a positive, powerful change that benefits them through improved wellbeing.

‘To be an effective teacher, you should enjoy what you teach, but always love who you teach the most…Focus on connections… Develop that rapport…Have a genuine affection.’

– Brad Johnson

Research shows that half of all mental health problems occur before the age of 14. Issues that arise in childhood and impact children and young people, can, without appropriate support, embed themselves and cause a long-term vulnerability to further mental health issues. Whether learning strategies as a group, or time in a 1:1, young people need dedicated space to explore. This form of early intervention is key to supporting young people’s wellbeing and can help reduce school absence.

I have worked and continue to offer my services to primary and secondary schools, EYFS settings, and youth centres. I work with private clients and have worked in person as well as digitally via online meeting platforms with those in other parts of the country.

WHAT I OFFER

1:1 Mentoring (Most Popular)

One young person.
Between 1-2 hours per session.
From £60 per session.

Tailored support to meet the individual’s need allowing them to be seen and heard. Offering a calm, safe space, sessions are led by the needs of the young person, allowing them to take control of the difficulties they are experiencing and find suitable solutions to support them.

Small Group Workshops

Usually six young people.
Between 1-2 hours per session.
From £80 per session.

An opportunity to bring young people together to build strong relationships in supporting one another with wellbeing. Sessions may focus on self-esteem and confidence, anxiety and anger, and other similar emotions. It is recommended sessions run at consistent times.

Whole Class Wellbeing

Whole class.
Normally 1 hour per session.
From £140 per session.

Give the gift of learning relaxation skills to calm the mind and bring connection, concentration, and compassion back to the learning space. Stregthen relationships behind the door with activities focused on bringing the group together through trust, respect, and wellbeing activities.

Family / Charity Wellbeing

Normally around an hour.
1 session per week or standalone.
From £60 – family / From £50 – charity.

Wellbeing support can work better in the home or other familiar setting such as at Scouts or youth club. Whether working 1:1 with a young person, supporting a family, or providing a one-off workshop, this is for you. Scout and Guide groups can discuss badge requirements to cover and I’ll do my best to support. I can attend sleepovers for pre-bedtime wind-down.

Consultancy

Observe, Assess, Action.
Customisable.
Price on application.

Whether it’s understanding what a young person is trying to communicate through their behaviour, or your youth service needs to improve processes, a fresh pair of eyes can help identify needs and formulate plans. For wellbeing support, young people can be assessed using a nurture framework allowing a clear developmental and diagnostic profile. 

Storytelling Workshops

Group size variable.
Sessions usually 60-90 minutes.
Prices from £60.

Through storytelling, young people can have fun, use their imaginations, improve their confidence, and create amazing adventures of the mind. A healthy blend of activities mixed with either performance or writing skills dependent on the group, these workshops can make a great one-off activity or a programme developed over a longer period.

When assessing young people I use a framework that looks at the development and diagnostic of the child.
This process is not about classifying them but identifies patterns of functioning to formulate a workable action plan of support.

‘Roy supported [my son] throughout uncertain times…which has been really helpful for us. I asked [my son] what he thinks of Roy and he said, ‘Roy is kind and has helped me feel less anxious. The one to ones are fun’. I would recommend Roy. [He] is very approachable, knowledgeable and dedicated to his work.’

‘My son has barriers to learning. He had his CAMHS assessment this week; he completed the whole hour of activities with a clinician, who he had never met before. It wasn’t easy for him. He got anxious and distracted, but was able to recover quickly each time. The experiences gained from the sessions made it significantly easier for my son to complete this assessment.’

CLIENTS AND SUCCESSES

Wellbeing Workshop Treat

Be Free Young Carers operates across South Oxfordshire, offering dedicated support and advice to aid the lives and wellbeing of young carers in Oxfordshire. I had the privilege to run holiday workshops for all ages to provide a destress and the chance for the young carers to learn destress techniques.

GCSE Exam Confidence Workshops

The Warriner School, Bloxham is a Good rated secondary school near Banbury, but as GCSE exams loomed they wanted to teach skills to help the young people get through the stressful period. I provided power bursts for lunch time groups and girls-only after-school sessions where there was a marked improvement in wellbeing and confidence.

Wellbeing Programme for SEND pupils

Our Lady’s, Cowley is a Good rated Catholic primary school near Oxford. Having identified a group to work with, I supported a small group of priority SEND children on a themed programme in order to support greater and more productive engagement in the classroom. The programme saw an improvement in their self-esteem and provided confidence boosting skills.

Wellbeing Workshops tie in with badgework

The Scouts have invited me to several of their groups across Oxfordshire. Working with all ages, I have supported their weekly sessions, attended sports days, and sleepovers, in order to provide an insight into how the brain works and how they can best support their own wellbeing. I work closely with the leaders to tie workshops in with a theme, as well as to support badgework. 

Wellbeing Workshops tie in with badgework

The Guides, like the Scouts, have had me attend their Rainbow and Brownie weekly sessions across Oxfordshire to provide fun activities around wellbeing. We have worked to themes and introduced craft. Like the Scouts workshops, sessions have been tailored to their badgework, and on occasions amended last minute based on heavily reduced numbers.

Year 9 male crippling school anxiety

School Anxiety prevented a Year 9 pupil from attending school at a crucial point in his education. When he did attend, he was unable to engage as he would have liked. A private client, we spent time building up his confidence and pinpointing where the difficulties were. By the end of his sessions he was engaging well in class, successful in school, and passed his exams.

Residential anxiety prevents school trip?

School Residential Anxiety was making the prospect of time away from home an impossibility for several primary school children. Working individually with them to identify the causes for concern, we were able to put in place strategies that would later allow them to have the considence to attend this important school trips with confidence.

All through support to reach the masses

1:1s and group workshops were the order of the day when I worked in both parts of the then all through school. I provided fun and engaging wellbeing sessions for whole classes to reach larger numbers of children, as well as worked specifically with smaller groups. In both parts of the school I worked 1:1 with young people identified as having SEND/SEMH to help with their re-engagement in the classroom.

Home Educated curriculum expansion

Home Educated Young People enjoyed adding to their curriculum by learning about wellbeing through a creative programme. Their sessions were held in a community location and slotted into the day alongside their normal education, and allowed them to learn relaxation and improved  social skills to support them at home and when meeting with others.

Starting Early builds skills for life

Kennington Playgroup children enjoy regular sessions where we tie in to the theme of the week and learn relaxation skills through fun activities, games, and stories. This gives them a strong foundation and understanding of mental health and wellbeing strategies for when they move up to their primary schools, and for which they can carry through to adulthood.

OTHER SUCCESSES AND PROJECT WORK

Hover over for more info

Justice in Motion - Youth engagement and education resources

Justice in Motion is a physical theatre company based in Oxford who tackle social justice issues. Their 2023 touring production of CODE, which focused on county lines, knife crime, and child exploitation, required me to work closely with local authorities across England to engage young people in week-long residencies attached to the production. Alongside this, I was involved in impact work and the creation of an education resource pack for schools which I designed and produced.

Wolvercote Young People's Club - Youth Club Rejuvenation

I was Charity Manager for two years at this youth centre in the north of Oxford which was ailing and in debt. Having relaunched the youth provision, I employed a staff team and expanded the volunteer base, installed new systems, processes, procedures, vision, mission, and five-year business plan, and at time of leaving, with support from my team, the club no longer had the five-figure deficit which it had held for half a decade, and had a healthy membership. Strong partnerships had been built and several community events held, including intergenerational work.

Kennington Youth Club - Youth Club Relaunch

In 2017 I relaunched this closed youth club which was at a point of permanent closure, after more than 75 years success in the locality. Within two weeks of reopening we were full with a waiting list. Within three months we received national accreditation. The building had a complete overhaul, including the introduction of a wellbeing room, and fully succeeded on all areas of the five year business plan. We offered young leader training, and provided a variety of trips and events in addition to a weekly programme.

Oxfordshire Discovery College - Pilot launch

When the Oxfordshire Discovery College, a mental health and wellbeing intervention for children and young people, was launched, I was asked to support with its inception. Working in partnership with another tutor, I co-designed and led the college’s pilot project, working in Tower Hill Primary School in Witney. This project had many challenges, including ensuring it was fully accessible by all children referred to it, but doing it in the middle of a global pandemic too. Results showed an inrease in confidence, ability to be calm, and better able to manage in difficult situations. This programme still exists within the college, now called Discovery Club.

Scouts - Section launches

During my time as a Scout Leader I helped launch a Beaver Scout Colony (ages 6-8), and in a precarious time amended our practice to ensure we kept running. From this, we reached a point of being full with enough children to launch another group the same size, and a lengthy waiting list. Simultaneously I launched an Explorer Scout Unit (ages 14-18), offering DofE, Young Leaders, and many excursions and training. At 17, I was a District Leader coordinating adult volunteers and programme across the locality, leading and assisting with large scale events, and running meetings. The groups I launched continue to this day. I was awarded the Chief Scout’s Commendation for Good Service.

Oxfordshire Youth - Organisation support

At Oxfordshire Youth I supported in the development of the online presence at the organisation, working with the website creator, writing and distributing digital content, and providing live social media updates at conferences. I managed the accreditation scheme, which coincided with providing tailored support and training to local youth organisations, working with them to streamline their work and build partnerships. I was instrumental in impact evaluation for reporting. I put in place processes for event booking to increase reach and improve the professionalism of the charity.

St Christopher's CE Primary - Special Measures Support

When this primary school in Cowley, Oxford was in special measures, I worked alongside their pastoral and data administrators to review processes and procedures, and instigate new systems that would allow them to see clearly where the issues were and then identify how best to support with these. During this, full breakdowns of every class and granular work at pupil level was undertaken, with strategies put in place to support individual families. This work contributed to OFSTED removing the school’s special measures grading.

South Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP)

When this organisation was struggling with their processes and policies, I provided support to enable them to put into place systems and activity ideas in order to streamline their work and engage with more young people.

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