The Life Skills Mentoring Academy

21/11/2025

🧣 New cosy cabin blankets just in time for this chilly weather 🧣

If you’ve ever arrived at session feeling frazzled, frozen to the bone, or just a bit “done”… you are absolutely not alone.

One of the most important parts of my work is making sure that, from the moment you walk through the door, your nervous system gets the message: “You are comfortable. You are welcome. You can soften here.”

So yes – that means extra fluffy blankets, soft textures, warm lighting and a space where you can curl up, breathe, and just be you.

Because you can’t do the deeper work of healing and regulation if your body is tense, shivery, or on high alert. Comfort isn’t a luxury in this space – it’s part of the trauma-informed care we offer.

Whether you’re here for your child, your teen, or yourself, I want you to feel held, cosy and comfortable while we figure things out together.

Would you choose the sunshine spot or the snuggly corner with the “note to self” wall? 💭

21/11/2025

Lesson of the day: do NOT wear Converse on the ice… they basically turn into skates 🧊😂

Nearly had multiple “landed on my bottom” moments on the school run this morning – 10/10 do not recommend for frosty pavements!

On the plus side… it’s Friday, the sun is out, and the Christmas countdown is officially ON 🎄✨

Stay safe out there – and maybe choose footwear with actual grip today…

The heating in the cabin was turned on half an hour ago - hopefully it'll be nice and toasty for my lovely clients today 🫶🏻

21/11/2025

There aren’t many services out there with the level of training and experience that our small team holds – and that’s not by accident.

Behind the scenes, we jump through a lot of hoops to make sure we’re offering the safest, most up-to-date support we possibly can:

- Ongoing specialist training in trauma-informed practice and child/young person mental health
- Regular CPD to stay current with the latest research, tools and approaches
- Careful attention to policy, safeguarding and best practice guidance
- Working within the boundaries of our training, regulatory bodies and insurance requirements

We invest a lot of time, effort and money into this because your child, your family and your story deserve nothing less.

We review our policies, procedures and ways of working regularly and update them whenever needed – not just when we “have to”, but because we genuinely believe we can always offer a better service.

If you’re looking for trauma-informed support that takes training, safety and quality seriously, you’re in the right place. 💛

20/11/2025

What if your child heard this daily?

Parenting after trauma can feel like walking a tightrope. Some days, you’re balancing everyone’s feelings. Other days, it’s hard just to show up. But every child needs to hear gentle reminders: their feelings matter. Their boundaries count. It’s okay to start again.

Try picking one phrase from the sign in today’s photo. Say it to your child—or yourself—out loud. Notice how it shifts the mood, even a little.

Which message do you (or your child) need most today? Drop it below or send me a DM if you want to chat. 💬

You’re not alone. Small words can make a big difference. 🌱

20/11/2025

So… what *is* that mystery gadget? 👀

It’s a reaction and coordination game I’m exploring for sessions with children and young people. The lights and sounds tell you which pad to tap, and your job is to respond as quickly and accurately as possible.

Why I love it for nervous system regulation:
✨ Helps the brain practise “see – pause – respond”
✨ Uses up that “fizzy” energy in a safe, playful way
✨ Builds focus, attention and coordination
✨ Can be paired with breathing/grounding to come back to calm after excitement

For many young people, especially those with trauma histories or neurodivergence, it can feel much easier to start with movement and play than with talking. Tools like this let us work *with* their nervous system, not against it.

Would your child or teen enjoy something like this?

19/11/2025

What makes trauma-informed care truly different?

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind The Life Skills Mentoring Academy, meet Laura. With a background in child protection, forensic psychology, and years of hands-on experience supporting children and families, Laura brings a rare blend of expertise and heart to every session.

Her journey started in Children’s Centres, then led to police work supporting young victims of crime. Today, she’s dedicated to helping families across Norfolk and beyond find hope and healing, using a whole-family, mind-body approach that’s gentle, creative, and always trauma-informed.

Every child’s story is unique. That’s why Laura’s sessions are flexible, immediate, and built around your family’s needs. No waiting lists. No judgment. Just a welcoming space to start building brighter tomorrows together.

🌱✨

19/11/2025

What if healing could start today?

Sometimes, the bravest step a family takes is simply reaching out. Over the past year, I’ve witnessed incredible transformations. A young person who struggled to speak about their feelings now laughs freely with their parent. A teen who felt overwhelmed by anxiety has started leading the way in family conversations. Each journey looks different, but every single one is proof that with the right support, change is possible.

At The Life Skills Mentoring Academy, we walk alongside you, using trauma-informed tools and a whole-family approach. You don’t have to carry it alone. If you’re wondering what’s possible for your family, book a free call and let’s chat about what support could look like for you. 💬

Ready to take the first step? Reach out today. ❤️

18/11/2025

Still spaces available - come and join us tomorrow ✨

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use Bookwhen. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

18/11/2025

What does therapy look like for kids?

Ever wondered how we make sessions feel safe, creative, and even a little bit fun? Sometimes, it’s not just about talking. It’s about getting down on the floor, using big sheets of paper, and exploring feelings with colourful cards and pens.

This simple activity helps children put words and pictures to their emotions. The scale on the paper? It lets us see together how strong those feelings are, and what helps them shift. No pressure. No right or wrong. Just gentle discovery, at their pace.

Curious how creative tools could help your child or teen? Message me to book a free chat and see what’s possible. 💛

You’re not alone. Let’s do this together. 🌱

18/11/2025

Is your child’s bucket feeling empty?

So many of us notice when our children seem low or overwhelmed, but it can be tough to know how to help. What if small, gentle moments could fill their 'bucket' and build resilience, even on the hardest days?

Try this at home:

• Notice and name their strengths out loud.
• Celebrate tiny wins together — no achievement is too small.
• Add a positive 'token' to their imaginary bucket with each kind word or loving gesture.

Every drop of kindness counts. If you’re looking for more trauma-informed ideas to support your family, I’m here to help.

Send a DM or book a free chat. 💛

18/11/2025

✨ Time to Talk… and Time to Reflect ✨

Last week Beth and I had the privilege of attending the Violence Against Women and Girls training with Safer Together – and honestly, it was some of the most impactful CPD I’ve done in a long time.

The programme was so thoughtfully put together:
💬 Clear, evidence-based resources
📚 A strong grounding in Ofsted’s Rapid Review and national VAWG strategy
🧠 Thought-provoking content that really challenged us to look again at gender norms, stereotypes and the messages children are absorbing every day

It didn’t just stay in the training room either. I found myself noticing and reflecting on gender expectations all weekend – including at a children’s birthday party, where it really hit me how early these ideas start to show up in the toys, games and language we use with kids.

That’s exactly why this work matters so much. If we want to tackle misogyny, harmful sexual behaviours and gender-based violence, we have to start early – creating safe, reflective, non-judgemental spaces for children and young people to explore respect, safety and equality.

Programmes like give us the tools to do that well. They help us:
🌱 Challenge harmful norms before they become fixed beliefs
🤝 Support schools and professionals to have braver, better conversations
💡 Empower children and young people to become positive up-standers and change-makers

I’m really grateful for the opportunity to take part, and even more determined that, as a community, we keep pushing for this kind of work to be embedded from a young age. Our children deserve a world where respect, safety and equality are the norm – not the exception.

Huge thanks to Nikki and the team at Safer Together and everyone involved in developing and delivering such a powerful, research-informed programme. Change really does start here. 💛