About

child and grown up playing newspaper Smash
Me Tree detail
Opening the box excitement
playing with bubbles
playing with bubbles
whiteboards being played with
Releasing frustration through ripping fabric and cardboard leaves
reflection on the past
watching animation
whiteboard
whole toolkit
Me Tree

Let the sunshine in…

Growing Me is a beautifully crafted, fun-filled journey of connection.  Underpinning every aspect of Growing Me is a belief that relationships are key to healing trauma.  And our toolkits let the sunshine into the relationships with ourselves, each other and the world around us. 

Can you deliver Life Story Work?

Caring for a child who has experienced early-life trauma, separation, and loss, brings its challenges, as well as its riches – and Growing Me supports the grown-up, no matter who they are, to discover their unique resources informed by their unique experiences.  Up-to-date techniques, top-tips, and guidance builds confidence and skills; discover that even the trickier parts of Life Story Work can feel do-able. Thinking about how, when, and if, to give information to a child is carefully explored with guidance, templates, and resources.

Although professionals are sometimes needed to deliver therapeutic interventions, experience has shown us that a person the child already knows can sometimes be best placed to help. This person may know a child in a parenting, personal or professional capacity. Anyone with whom a child has developed a trusting relationship with, may be the right person.

There are many ways of delivering Growing Me: At home, with a parent or guardian.  At school with trusted TA.  In small groups of adult and child dyads, supported by a professional, or even in a therapy setting.

You are not alone…

Growing Me encourages you to nominate a Supporter, who may be a professional or a friend, who will know where you are on your journey. They can offer support, resources, and encouragement. Your Supporter can be a listening ear when you need it.

For some people, Growing Me might best be accessed with a professional, side by side in sessions with a child. With Growing Me providing the structure, the guide, and the materials, the combination of a professional and a trusting adult may be the best option for some children and caring adults.

Let nature be your teacher…

A connection with our natural world is at the heart of Growing Me.

Animals and trees provide metaphors and lessons for every aspect of the journey; from taking ownership, to stating what they wish – or do not want – to know about the past; from learning about experiences of threat and safety, to how emotions are felt in the body; from exploring being part of a team, to thinking about what parents do; from discovering inbuilt resources, to building a sense of belonging; from expressing the past on their terms, to zooming to imagined futures.

The journey of Growing Me is mirrored in the natural seasons so families feel supported not only by knowing their place in the natural world, but discovering their capacity to care for it. 

Be confident…

Growing Me is carefully designed using clinical experience of Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Art Therapy, Sensory Integration; Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy; and Therapeutic Parenting strategies.

It aims to strengthen a child’s ability to connect and communicate, improve self-knowledge, and build confidence and understanding about thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the present, and, if the child is ready, about their past.

Have fun!

The journey is accessible, enjoyable, and each session follows the same structure.  

1. The Grown Up Bit is a narrated guide for the adult, packed with self-care activities, therapeutic tips, and preparation for the session ahead.
1. The Grown Up Bit is a narrated guide for the adult, packed with self-care activities, therapeutic tips, and preparation for the session ahead.
2. The Me Tree invites a child and their adult to connect with their bodies, minds and the world around them. Dials on Me Tree can be moved to reflect energy levels and heartrate in a fun and non stigmatising way.
2. The Me Tree invites a child and their adult to connect with their bodies, minds and the world around them. Dials on Me Tree can be moved to reflect energy levels and heartrate in a fun and non stigmatising way.
The Play Den encourages co-regulation through different activities that a child and adult can do together. Connection through play builds positive pathways in the brain. It is only when bodies and minds are regulated that they can think, make and wonder!
3. The Play Den encourages co-regulation through different activities that a child and adult can do together. Connection through play builds positive pathways in the brain. It is only when bodies and minds are regulated that they can think, make and wonder!
The Think Theatre engages all the senses through animation and puppetry to explore key themes, build emotional literacy, and empower with psycho-education.
4. The Think Theatre engages all the senses through animation and puppetry to explore key themes, build emotional literacy, and empower with psycho-education.
The Make Station carries the themes of the Think Theatre into a making activity. There are ten packs of equipment that correspond to each making session.
5. The Make Station carries the themes of the Think Theatre into a making activity. There are ten packs of equipment that correspond to each making session.
The Wonder Book is a celebration of the ups and downs of everyday life together. A child and their adult are invited to write, draw and collage, and use the different paper leaves in whatever way feels right.
6. The Wonder Book is a celebration of the ups and downs of everyday life together. A child and their adult are invited to write, draw and collage, and use the different paper leaves in whatever way feels right.
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