4 Educators providing Special Needs courses in Chelmsford

footsteps special needs youth group

together in musical expression

T.I.M.E. is founded on the belief that music is for everyone. We’re an Essex-based charity devoted to breaking down barriers and bringing people of all ages and abilities together to experiment, grow, and have fun through music. Our events are designed to be accessible and inclusive to people with special needs, mental health challenges, and dementia. All are welcome, and no previous music knowledge is required.  We don’t believe in rules or limits — music is for anytime, anywhere, and anyone. Our ever-evolving collection of musical experiences includes therapeutic and sensory-based relaxation sessions, songwriting workshops, instrument tuition, and other forms of creative and physical expression. We’ve brought these fun, free-flowing creative experiences to educational institutions, care facilities, recovery and treatment centers, and more.  Our work is made possible through charitable contributions; donations are welcome and appreciated. T.I.M.E. is also supported through private music sessions that we offer as a separate service. Get in touch to book your session! 

the calm space yoga

Karen Lawrence is mum to seven children. She lives with her family in Billericay, Essex. Karen brings a wealth of skills and experience to helping people relax and discover their inner freedom. Karen Lawrence at her studio When Karen isn’t practising Yoga, giving therapies, or being a Mum, she enjoys swimming outdoors, writing, walking, spending time in nature, knitting, crocheting and chilling out with friends. Karen studied English Literature at University many years ago. She loves writing, reading and poetry, and she often finds inspiration for yoga classes in poems and quotations. You can read some of Karen’s writing at her other website, www.karenlawrenceauthor.com Before qualifying as a Yoga instructor and Reflexologist, Karen worked as an NHS Midwife and Health Visitor. Karen loves teaching people in all stages of life how to relax and feel better. She is also in her element supporting pregnant women and new mums. Karen Lawrence holds a Yoga Alliance recognised specialist qualification as a Yin and Restorative Yoga Instructor. She has also completed full training recognised by the Federation of Antenatal Educators which qualifies her to teach Pregnancy, Postnatal and Mother and Baby Yoga. Karen is a qualified professional Reflexologist, specialising in holistic therapy for pregnancy, menopause and women’s health. She has completed accredited training in Closing the Bones and Postnatal Recovery Massage. Karen holds a qualification in Aromatherapy for Birth. She has trained with MAM as a Three Step Rewind practitioner. She is a qualified Baby Massage instructor and a trained sound therapist. Karen is a Registered Midwife and Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visitor), although she is no longer actively working in these roles. She is currently working part time as a registered health professional in the Covid 19 vaccinations programme. Karen believes in a gentle, holistic and compassionate approach to yoga, parenting and life in general. Yoga and meditation have helped her cope with some of the challenges of being a midwife, a health visitor, a mother and simply a human being. Karen loves to care for carers. Karen has a daughter with special needs. She knows all about the pressures of caring for others, both personally and professionally. Karen understands how important it is for carers to be able to rest and relax. Many people with heavy caring responsibilities come to The Calm Space for rest, empathy and relaxation.

the speech and language garden

Hi, I'm Beth. I’m a Speech and Language Therapist from Essex, UK. I'm a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, from the UK, with extensive experience working with children with speech, language and communication needs in a range of settings including schools, preschools and clinics. I'm mum to two primary school-aged children, one of whom has special needs. EU1A9034-2.jpg eu1a9097.jpg I set up my own clinical service provision in 2011 and have since then built up a successful practice, with my own clinic where I see private patients. I also provide a regular service to a number of schools in my local geographical area. I have a master’s degree in Health and Human Sciences (MSc), qualifying as a Speech & Language Therapist in 2009. My undergraduate degree (BA Hons) is in Linguistics and Spanish. I’m registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, the Health and Care Professionals Council and the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP). I have been the chair of my local ASLTIP group for a number of years, organising regular meetings and suporting a large group of 18 members covering a range of clinical specialisms. I’ve worked with lots of practitioners and staff in schools and preschools throughout my career and I've provided a lot of information, advice, training and support for a variety of Speech and Language topics. As well as training education staff, I also deliver seminars as a guest lecturer to Speech and Language Therapy Students at the University of Essex. These cover a range of topics, including service provision, speech sounds, stammering, vocabulary and word finding, assessment and intervention. EU1A9022.jpg eu1a9043.jpg For over a decade, I have built up a whole stack of resources and activities to target dozens of different topics within speech, language and communication needs. I’ve delivered a huge number of training sessions, created by me, on a range of SLCN topics to staff working in schools and preschools. As a result of my training on speech and language issues, dozens of Teachers, Teaching Assistants and Preschool Practitioners have felt empowered to help their students with their speech, language and communication needs. With The Speech and Language Garden, I hope to give you some valuable ideas, training and resources to help educate you and support the children you work with.