Tell me about you and your family/where you live…

I am a local teacher and my family and I live near Henley.

​

Tell me about your wellbeing classes and GirlKind Circles...

GirlKind circles start at nine years old and help girls build self-esteem, self-care, body awareness and nature connection. The circles are an opportunity for a small group of similarly aged girls to celebrate life as a girl; all the ups and downs and changes. We meet for a course of five sessions and the topics we explore vary depending on the age group. We dive into all aspects of growing up, such
as friendship challenges, how the body changes, hormones and emotions and much more. With the support of these circles, girls face some of the fears and difficulties that adolescence presents and are offered a caring environment in which to ask questions, discover new facts and gain language and encouragement to express their feelings.

     Our Mum & Me circles allow mothers and daughters to have a special time each month exploring the lives of famous heroines from history, such as Frida Kahlo. We talk about the motto by which these women lived and what we can learn from them. The circles might involve crafts, movement, meditation, deep conversation and they are a unique way for mums to bond with their girls.
I recommend that girls are at least eight years old. My daughter and I absolutely love our circle and it was formed from five of her friends at school. Gathering a group of friends with girls the same age is the best way to get going (around six families) but I also offer a circle for anyone who wants to come along and meet new friends.

 

Have you always been interested in doing this? How did you get involved?

I have always worked with children and I believe that holding a safe space
for both boys and girls to express their feelings openly and celebrate their uniqueness is vital for their development. When I returned to teaching five
years ago, I noticed that some girls in our co-ed school were finding it hard to speak up in class and express themselves confidently as they entered puberty.
At first I started a public speaking club to help with this and then realised how much the female students needed time on their own (without the boys) to talk from the heart about all of the emotions they are experiencing. I trained with Journey of Young Women once I started the circles as the material and feelings we engage with are sensitive.

 

What do you like about it the most? What did you do before?

Working with children is magical; watching them unfold, grow and learn to share from their hearts in our sessions is beautiful and I believe that these experiences will give them the strength they need to face some of the stresses and anxieties of the teenage years with courage and understanding.

 

What are your goals for the future?

I am passionate about offering similar circles to boys. Boys need to express their emotions just as much as girls and they need the language to deal with all the pressures they meet. I believe that many world problems have their roots in how society shapes children and I would like to find a male facilitator to work with so we can offer opportunities for boys and girls at Routes of Life.

​

Who is your idol?

I am mostly amazed and motivated by the children with whom I work.

 

What's in your handbag right now?

Lego, plasters, sand and lip balm!

 

routesoflife.org