The Life Skills Mentoring Academy

19/01/2026

BIG NEWS at The Life Skills Mentoring Academy! Just in case you missed our announcement earlier on the in month...

📣 We are thrilled to share that, the founder of The Life Skills Mentoring Academy, Laura Darby, has been named one of the UK's Top 100 Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs for 2026! 🏆✨

I am so grateful to have been featured in the prestigious f:Entrepreneur top 100 list, which celebrates leading female founders across the country who are driving innovation and making a real difference in their communities.

What an incredible journey, I have been on since I founded the business. Drawing on my extensive experience in child protection, family support, forensic psychology, and trauma-responsive care, I have grown The Life Skills Mentoring Academy from a vision into a leading service that supports thousands of young people and families.

The top 100 list is part of the F:Entrepreneur campaign, launched by Small Business Britain. The campaign aims to raise greater awareness of the impact of incredible female business owners across the country, and help provide inspiration and role models to the wider small business community. Having our founder named as one of the 100 business owners leading that charge is a huge honour for our mission. 👏

I am so thrilled to have our commitment to trauma-responsive care and supporting young people's mental health recognised on this national stage. 💙

🏆 A massive thank you to all the families, young people, professionals and community partners for being part of this award-winning journey with us!

17/01/2026

Gentle touch: the secret to co-regulation?

Ever noticed how your child’s big feelings can feel overwhelming… for both of you? You’re not alone. Many parents worry they’ll get it wrong, or that nothing helps in the heat of the moment.

Here’s a gentle truth: Sometimes, what your child needs most isn’t words, but your calm presence.

🌱 Try this:
- Sit beside your child, not in front.
- Offer a soft toy, blanket, or gentle touch (if they’re open to it).
- Breathe together. Slow, deep breaths can help both your nervous systems settle.

These small steps are called co-regulation. They help your child feel safe, seen, and supported – even when everything feels stormy.

Want more trauma-sensitive strategies for your family? Message us or tap the link in our bio to book a free 30-minute consultation. 💛

17/01/2026

🎵 It is here! The Lyric Lounge is calling your name 🎶

If you've been thinking about joining us, this is your sign. Whether you're struggling to find the words, need a space where music does the talking, or just want to feel less alone – we've got you.

Every 4th Friday, 6-7:30pm at The Cabin near Fakenham. £12.50 per session. Snacks included.

No judgment. Just good music, real conversations, and people who get it.

Ready to come along? DM us to book. Limited spaces available.

See you Friday? 💚

16/01/2026

Parenting a child with big feelings? Read on.

Ever wish you had a gentle guide for those moments when emotions run high at home? You’re not alone. It’s so easy to slip into self-doubt or feel judged, especially when your child is struggling. But what if you could respond with curiosity, not criticism?

At TLSMA, we know that every family’s journey is unique. Here are three trauma-informed tips to help you through tough days:

• Stay curious, not critical
• Validate big feelings (even the tricky ones)
• Take gentle pauses when things feel too much

Small steps like these can make a huge difference in your child’s sense of safety and connection. And remember, you don’t have to do it all on your own.

Want more practical support or just need a listening ear? Drop me a message or book a free 30-minute chat anytime. 💚

You’re doing better than you think.

16/01/2026

CLIENT JOURNEY (5/6)

How far have we come?

By Session 5, so much can shift - even if it still feels subtle. Maybe your child is finding words for feelings, or mornings are just a little less stormy. Sometimes, the biggest wins are the quietest ones.

This is our time to pause and notice together. What’s helped? What’s still tough? Is there anything extra you or your family need right now? And - if it feels right - we’ll chat about what to share with parents, so you’re never left in the dark.

Your feedback shapes what happens next. Curious about how this works, or want to check in for your family? Message me or email info@thelifeskillsmentoringacademy.com. 💬

What’s changed for you lately? Even the tiniest shift counts.

16/01/2026

✨✨ Feedback Friday ✨✨

💛 “I can’t thank her enough.”💙

“Laura has helped my daughter understand her anger triggers, how to calm down and in general build a good trusting relationship between them.

She has also helped me to understand how she sees things, so I can understand her better.

Really can’t thank Laura enough for her knowledge and understanding.”

If you’re parenting through big feelings, you don’t have to do it on your own.

📩 Book a free initial consultation: https://www.thelifeskillsmentoringacademy.co.uk/contact/

14/01/2026

This is just incredible news and a step in the right direction for victims 💙

Historically, police investigating crimes routinely asked for the counselling notes of victims as part of their investigations, leading to many feeling…

14/01/2026

✨ Today’s Mindful Mini Adventure Club was simply amazing ✨

Today we went on a gentle, meaningful adventure with Ruby’s Worry 💭
We shared the story together and chatted about what worry feels like, how it can show up in our bodies, and what helps us feel calmer and better.

The children then enjoyed:
🧘‍♀️ Gentle yoga to stretch, move and release worries
🫧 Exploring feelings through sensory bottles and squishies
😊 Looking in mirrors and pulling different faces to express our emotions
🤲 Mini massage sessions to help our bodies feel calm and relaxed

We ended our session by placing our worries into our worry stones and safely putting them away 💙 — such a powerful and comforting way to close our time together.

These sessions are all about helping little ones recognise their feelings, express themselves and build calm coping tools in a fun, nurturing way.

So proud of our Mindful Minis today ✨

I'd you'd like to more about our classes, please pop Maria a message Little Tots with Maria Green

13/01/2026

This is our book for tomorrow - there's still time to join us ✨

🌈 New Class Alert – Helping Children Manage Worries! 🌈

At next weeks Mindful Mini Adventures Club we will be using the heartwarming story of Ruby’s Worry.
Children (aged 3–7) will explore feelings, learn ways to manage worries, and practice mindfulness in a fun, gentle way.

✨ What your child will enjoy:

Listening to the story and sharing thoughts 💭

Yoga and breathing exercises 🧘‍♀️ (tailored to children)

Hands-on sensory play to explore emotions 👐

Mindful games to build awareness 🌟

Gentle back massage strokes for relaxation 🤲

Group activities with stretchy bands or parachute for fun & connection 🎉

By the end of the class, children will have simple tools to help them feel calmer, more confident, and better able to manage their emotions.

📅 Next session: 14th January 2026
📍 Location: Toftwood Scout Hut
💌 Book your spot: https://bookwhen.com/littletots/e/ev-s7nax-20260114130000

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out! Let’s help our children let go of worries and embrace calm. 🌸

13/01/2026

Why Are We Expecting Children to Be "Resilient"?

Every time I hear someone say "children are resilient", I feel myself tense.

Not because I don't understand where the idea came from, but because I'm increasingly frustrated by what we're asking of children when we say it.

So I want to ask a question we don't ask often enough:
Why are we expecting children to be resilient at all?

Resilience means enduring hardship, adapting under stress, and continuing despite adversity.

But children didn't sign up for adversity.
They didn't choose unsafe homes, neglect, abuse, loss, poverty, or instability.
Yet we so casually place the burden of coping on them.

Somewhere along the way, resilience became a compliment.

"They're so resilient."
"They've been through so much but they're doing okay."

But what we're often really saying is:
➡️ They're not causing problems for adults.
➡️ Their pain isn't visible.
➡️ They're functioning enough — for now.

That isn't healing. That's survival.
And survival comes at a cost.

But here's what the research actually tells us:
Children's brains are shaped by their experiences, especially stress and trauma. When children are exposed to chronic adversity without adequate support, their nervous systems adapt for threat, not safety.

Trauma doesn't disappear because a child looks "fine" — it often resurfaces later.

The science doesn't say "children are resilient so they'll be okay."

It says children need protection, regulation, and safe relationships to develop well.

So why do we keep using the word?

Because "resilience" is convenient.
It allows systems to step back.
It shifts responsibility away from adults, services, and society — and quietly places it onto the child.

But children shouldn't have to be resilient - they should be safe.

12/01/2026

CLIENT JOURNEY (4/6): What happens between sessions

Real support isn’t just what happens in the room.

It’s what starts to shift at home, in the car, at bedtime, before school, in the moments that usually feel the hardest.

Between sessions, we focus on small, doable changes that support the nervous system.

That might look like:
🌱 a simple co-regulation reset you can use in the moment
🌱 a few words to say when emotions are big (so you’re not scrambling)
🌱 a gentle plan for school mornings/bedtimes
🌱 helping you understand what the behaviour is communicating

Because when a child feels safer, their world gets easier to manage.

And when parents feel supported, the whole family breathes a little more.