Register of Licensed Practitioners

Hello I’m Sally, 

I’ve been building with LEGO® since my own childhood – back when the bricks came in a limited number of colours, and if you built a house you never had quite enough slope bricks to cover the roof!

Since qualifying as an NNEB, I’ve worked in many different schools and settings. My husband’s job has given us the opportunity to live and work overseas and I’ve had the pleasure of working with pre-schoolers’ in  playgroup, right through to supporting students in Key Stage 4.

My own two children both loved LEGO®.  My son was a big fan of LEGO® Technic when that was launched and my daughter had many of the original LEGO® Friends sets.  It’s fair to say that they are both still delighted to receive LEGO® sets as gifts, and now the fun of the bricks has been passed on to our next generation with DUPLO® a current firm favourite!

My Thera-Build ® adventure started in 2018 when I attended my first course with Aly. Taking the approach and intervention into school was, for me, quite profound. Seeing the children I work with settling into a more emotionally regulated state through the therapeutic approach of Thera-Build® is incredibly rewarding.

When I was given the opportunity to become a TLP I jumped at the chance!

Hello,

My name is Shelley Bidmead, I have worked with children for many years, both in nursery and primary settings, and my mantra is that  “everyday should start with a sparkle!”  

I am currently a Family Support Worker whose passion and drive to ensure children excel beyond expectations is my ultimate goal, and nothing makes me smile more than a child who goes above and beyond their expected potential with a little bit of support.

Many children don’t have the best start in life, so establishing a safe, secure environment and relationship, whilst helping a child learn to emotionally regulate themselves, is all the drive I need to continue supporting them daily.

I learn from the children every day, and use my knowledge and experience of trauma to support children and families to become empowered to make effective positive change to support their own wellbeing.

I was 'sent' on a Thera-Build® course initially, and didn't think there would be much value in the training.  How wrong was I?  I subsequently booked on to all of Aly's courses and was thrilled to be accepted to train as a TLP earlier this year.  I now have the 'LEGO®  Brick Bug' too and really enjoy using it as a tool to build positive relationships and playful connection with the children in my care.

Hello I am Julie, 

I started working with children at the age of 13 as a Sunday School teacher. Throughout my adult life I have continued to work with children and young people both in a professional and voluntary capacity. 

In 2012 I completed a Pastoral Studies Distance Learning course aimed at adults working with children who had been affected by trauma in some way. I became a mature student in my late forties and left university with a BSc in Health Studies in Communication. 

Completing the course not only reinforced my deep commitment to seeing children flourish, it also provided me with a strong understanding of the roots and outworking of children’s special educational needs and experience in facilitating their learning and development. 

Aly and I were set up on a 'blind date' by a mutual colleague/ friend. She had a hunch that we would get on and that I would be a beneficial addition to her team. Needless to say, our friend was right. A mutual love of LEGO® was the starting point of our  working relationship. A shared desire to facilitate and promote emotional well-being in children helped to seal the deal. 

Working as a TLP brings all of the diverse experiences and academic studies of my life so far, together. 

Hello, I’m Dawn.

I have been teaching in Primary schools now for 29 years and most recently I have had the privilege to work as a SENCO and Deputy Head. Throughout my teaching career, it has been extremely important to me to help children be the best they can be and reach their full potential, both academically and personally.

For a child to flourish, they need to feel safe, comfortable, supported and be able to regulate their emotional state; which is why the Thera-Build® Approach really appealed to me as I watched it grow from the beginning. To be part of this playful methodology with LEGO® bricks, in which children can explore their thoughts, worries and feelings together whilst developing their sense of belonging and connection, is truly exciting!

I have been friends now with Aly since meeting at University many years ago and our values and morals have always stayed the same – to be kind, honest and helpful. We have shared many of life’s ups and downs together and know only too well that resilience counts. After attending Aly’s courses and having many a discussion over coffee and cake, I am thrilled to have now qualified as a TLP and to be able to work directly with children to help them to thrive emotionally, build their self-esteem and to shine brightly.