In this week's episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy' with Philippa, the guest is Charlotte Booth, the owner of Leek Play Hub and former senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. Charlotte recounts her extensive career in education, from teaching early years groups to becoming a senior lecturer, and her recent transition back to working directly with young children. The conversation delves into the changing landscape of teaching, the impact of political decisions on education, and the importance of maintaining a focus on play in learning. Charlotte also shares insights into her current roles, both as a teaching assistant in a nursery and as the founder of the Leek Play Hub, a space designed to foster interactive and imaginative play for children and their caregivers. They discuss the challenges and rewards of setting up the play hub, the effects of technology on children's playtime, and the significant role of play in child development.

Website: https://www.leekplayhub.co.uk/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LeekPlayHub/

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Episode 39 – Navigating Therapeutic Support in Fostering with Jaid Bennett

In this episode, Julie is joined by Jaid Bennett, Deputy Regional Manager at Fusion Fostering in the Southwest. Together, they explore what it means to be a foster carer, the challenges and rewards of supporting children who have experienced trauma, and the importance of embedding therapeutic approaches into everyday care.

Jaid shares insights into:

• The fostering application and assessment process
• How Fusion supports carers and children through therapy, reflective practice, and training
• The role of shame, guilt, and empathy in parenting children with big emotions
• Creative tools – including personalised therapeutic stories – that help children make sense of their experiences
• How young people are given a voice in shaping the fostering journey

Whether you’re curious about fostering, already a carer, or interested in therapeutic support for children, this conversation is full of inspiration and practical wisdom.

Website: https://fusionfostering.com/

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In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa and Julie dive into the concepts of play and symbolism in therapeutic settings. They discuss how play therapists like Julie use symbolism in sessions with children to explore emotions and experiences. The conversation covers the differences between primary and secondary relationships in play therapy, the use of objects to facilitate play, and the significance of symbolic roles in helping children express and manage feelings. They also touch on the use of sand trays and transitional objects as symbolic tools, and the impact of developmental trauma on children's play. The episode underscores the importance of allowing children to navigate and articulate their emotions through symbolic play, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this approach.

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