About Me
I started teaching 20 years ago and noticed even then that young people often found it difficult to switch off or relax.
From that point on, I followed my passion for teaching children mindfulness and relaxation techniques and combined this with developments in the field of positive psychology and our understanding of the brain. I have worked in schools and in adult education to develop wellbeing approaches and promote good mental health.
I can truly say that I love my work and learn so much from the children and young people I teach.
Services
Well-being, mindfulness, resilience are now words we hear daily but what do they mean and how do we ‘get’ it?!
I have learnt so much from the people I’ve taught, from the ‘little ones’ in Reception to the adults in Family Learning groups. They’ve helped me shape these courses into bespoke sessions with fun and laughter, creativity and imagination, insight and compassion.
School programmes for whole school, classes, small groups or 1:1
Duke of Edinburgh awards. Accredited online well-being and mindfulness course to achieve Bronze, Silver and Gold Skills.
One to one mentoring. Including well-being and mindfulness, teachings from positive psychology and cognitive behavioural techniques.
Parent/carer and child workshops and visits to schools and organisations for well-being weeks or drop-down days.
“Relax and Be” workshops for adults.
Please get in touch!
Kirstin
Working in schools
Whole class sessions can be tailored to the curriculum or according to the specific needs of the class e.g. resilience and focus, interacting with peers etc. Groups designed in response to need: e.g.“Balloon Club” to assist children with separation anxiety, “Mindful Meerkats” for children who are anxious and lack confidence in a large group and “Wise Owls” to work with self-regulation and empathy. Some schools ask us for sessions where parents, carers and other family members are invited to join a workshop with their children. We can also plan follow up activities for home.
1-on-1 Tutoring
A safe space to talk about worries or concerns. Bespoke strength -based programmes to support children with anxiety, low mood, self-esteem etc. These may involve play, CBT, mindfulness and positive psychology. These are available for all ages and usually run 1:1 for 40 minutes with parents/carers joining for 10 minutes and children are encouraged to set their own targets and weekly challenges.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
This online course will help you learn how the brain works and take part in activities to strengthen mental health and well-being. You'll be able to use your creative skills to journal your thinking, take photographs and make things. it provides the building blocks for understanding and developing a growth mindset and each course will be individual to you and will become what you make it!
Booking info
Duke of Edinburgh Gold, Silver and Bronze £90
Individual mentoring £35 for 50 minutes
Schools £200 per day
Reductions available for those in receipt of free school meals.
As a teacher, I have learnt so much from Kirstin. She is such a calm, kind and inspiring person. Through fun, interactive activities, Kirstin has helped the children at our school learn about their brains, in turn enabling them to manage their feelings and emotions better. The skills and techniques that she teaches help children to keep their minds healthy and deal with difficult events in their lives. Every school needs a Kirstin.
Laura Paddock
I cannot speak highly enough of Kirstin, I was lucky enough to work alongside her at a local primary school... Her lovely manner and calm, positive ethos is contagious and she had such a positive impact not only on many of the children we worked with but also with my son who finds school generally anxious and challenging. I would recommend Kirstin and her Growing minds business to everyone.
Manda Stewart
I would really recommend the Growing Minds Course. As a health based youth worker in the current climate, the course has been invaluable for supporting patients virtually.
Thank you Kirstin for your generosity allowing us to continue delivering much needed wellbeing support during these challenging times!
Ellie Petrie
Kirstin has a calming and nurturing impact on everyone she meets. Both children and adults have benefited from sessions with her. I feel very fortunate to have worked with Kirstin, she has taught me so much about how to have a positive and calming impact on a child’s wellbeing.
Siobahn Teece
Kirstin ran a workshop for our Scouts during the Coronavirus lockdown to help with their emotional wellbeing and stress. It was extremely well received and the Scouts took an awful lot out of it. Kirstin is absolutely fantastic at what she does and is highly recommended! Thank you!
Connor Lynch
I would highly recommend Kirstin. Her calm and positive approach alongside her expertise in this area has great results with the children she works with!
Lisa Twinning
