A team of Play Therapy UK, Play Therapists, championing and campaigning for early, effective and expert child therapeutic mental health services.
Sarah Bentley
As an accredited Play Therapist, initially writing to my MP was a scary thought, but I knew I had to support the many families I work with on a daily basis, who face struggles because of “the systems”.
But the journey that has followed, initially writing to my MP, has led me to speak at the PTUK conference in 2022, expressing my passion for children’s mental health and then having the privilege to represent PTUK, by speaking at the All Party Parliamentary Group at the Houses of Parliament, on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, in June 2022….Wow…
More recently I have taken over the role of Child Mental Health Charter Committee Co Ordinator. In this role I am keen for us collectively to contact as many MP’s as we can and encourage them to sign their support and raise the concerns on children’s mental health in Parliament.
Together we are stronger……we really are…
Cathy Baker
Meeting with my MP was a daunting prospect, but knowing how important the Child’s Mental Health Charter campaign is, it didn’t feel like a choice – more something I just needed to do. My experience of meeting with my MP was really positive, she was interested to learn about the campaign and it was a lot easier to discuss than I’d expected because I knew that what I was talking about was important and would make a difference.
I would urge you to contact your MP for a meeting if you feel able, and if not, to send the template letter. You could make a real difference to our campaign and to the children who could benefit from it!
Claire Baits
Claire is an Accredited Play Therapist on the Register of Creative Arts Therapist (PTUK) which is accredited by the Professional Standards Agency (PSA). Claire has worked as a play therapist with Women’s Aid, Barnardos within a CAMHS team, local authority and in private practice since 2014. Also trained in Filial Therapy Claire supports families creating stronger relationships. Claire has a background supporting children, young people and families spanning 28 years in a variety of roles in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Her journey has taken her to Cyprus and Zimbabwe, spending 16 years overseas. Claire’s early childhood experiences and later living separated from her family and children introduced her to the world of therapy, self-reflection, health, and wellbeing. Returning to the UK working with children and family’s resident in a refuge she began to ask questions about the impact of their experiences and how to support their emotional and wellbeing needs. This led to her undertaking further qualifications in play therapy. Today she uses creative arts and play therapy to support children that have experienced events in their lives that impact on their emotional wellbeing.
Seeing the level of need in her work and how creative therapy changes lives she is passionate about supporting children’s mental health. This led her to joining the Children Mental Health Charter Committee.
Lois Bunn
I’m a Play Therapist working privately and in primary schools in Worcestershire. I joined the CMHC committee as a constructive way to channel my growing frustrations – Seeing children not getting the therapy they need and deserve, whether receiving no therapy at all, not having long enough in therapy or receiving inappropriate or unqualified help.
I would also love to see Play Therapy recognised and respected more, for the life changing opportunity it offers.
Claire Cartwright
I have been working with children for over 12 years and have a passion for the mental health and well-being of our children.
I became a play therapist as I feel that is integral to supporting children develop their emotional literacy skills, to manage their feelings, to deal with any negative experiences that could impact their futures and to become secure individuals. I feel that this charter is vital to this philosophy.
Kathryn Harvey
Hi I’m Kathryn, I’m a certified Play Therapist registered with PTUK, having recently completed my Post Grad Diploma. I currently teach in a secondary school for pupils with severe learning difficulties, I have worked in my current school for 15 years and until recently I was part of the senior leadership team.
I became a Play Therapist as I could see that there is an ever-increasing demand for mental health support for pupils. For children with learning difficulties, dealing with adverse experiences and difficult emotions this can be exacerbated by additional needs such as sensory processing difficulties and issues around communication. As a member of SLT I was dealing with issues that would arise due to pupils struggling, and the appropriate support not being available, for both pupils and their families/caregivers. By becoming a Play Therapist, I have been able to support children to learn the skills they need to become more resilient, whilst providing them with a safe space to express themselves and their emotions. I have joined the CMHC committee as I feel that more needs to be done to support children and young people’s mental health. Change begins at a governmental level, and I believe that the charter will drive the change that is needed.
Melanie Jones
Hi, I’m Melanie, a qualified SENDCo and Play Therapist registered with PTUK. I own Precious Hands SEND Support & Therapies in Gloucester. After working as a primary school teacher for over 20 years and qualifying as a Special Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) I could see the critical need for mental health support for children. Through my role in school, I could see the legislation around ensuring therapeutic support was provided only by qualified therapists, was not in place. This is leaving our children and young people vulnerable to unqualified practitioners.
I have joined the CMHC Committee to help to bring change to the law around working as a mental health professional. Our goal is to ensure our children and young people have access to only high quality mental health support from qualified, registered professionals.
Sarah Vaughan
Hi, I’m Sarah a Play Therapist registered with PTUK and have just completed my PG Diploma. I chose this career after being a Foster Carer for many years and to witness how vital it was for a child who struggled to express themselves verbally to be listened to and be able to express their thoughts, feelings and to have the space to play out their trauma.
I became interested in being part of the Child Mental Health Charter to try and create change at governmental level and passionately believe in the Charters 6 main principles. It is vital that the voice of the child should be heard and respected, that the therapist is trained to a high level and regulated, and that funding should be provided to support the mental health of our children.
Anna Joy
I have been working with Children for over 12 years in both Poland and England. Having spent the last 10 years teaching in UK classrooms, I have experienced working with a huge range of children with varying levels of need. I’ve worked alongside an Autism Base, hearing and visual impairment teams and many other external agencies to help improve my practice for individual children. Children are not suited to a ‘one size fits all’ approach.
Since the pandemic, I have witnessed a rise in children’s levels of emotional need in school. To better equip myself to try and meet this growing need, I’ve begun training as a Play Therapist with PTUK.
Play Therapy training and meeting with like-minded Play Therapists is showing me the difference that can be made in children’s lives, with the right knowledge. The impact of this growing profession is huge on a child’s overall wellbeing. I whole-heartedly believe that it is a service that should be accessible to all, not just the few.