"Play matters because people matter. It reminds us of our interdependence and gives us a chance to really see other people. And in turn, to be really and truly seen."
Jill Vialet
Founder of Playworks
ABOUT ME
Connection is at the heart of what I do. Teaching drama and facilitating workshops in schools and youth groups since 2003. Creating spaces for play and exploring, creativity and imagination, sharing and learning, noticing and being.
I offer drama classes and workshops, individual and group coaching for drama school auditions and LAMDA exams, and deliver Youth Mindfulness programmes to children and young people aged 7-21 in the Vaud and Geneva region.
My ongoing meditation practice and wealth of teaching experience, combined with my love of theatre and play, create supportive spaces for children and young people to share, learn, play and be.
All welcome...just as you are,
Sharon
BA (Hons) Drama & English Literature
Post Grad Cert. Education QTS
Post Grad Cert. Counselling Skills.
Level 2 - Youth Mindfulness Teacher
PLAY SPACE
A space to play, explore, experiment, create and have fun!
Through drama games, improvisation, devising and script work, students will develop their performance and acting skills and have fun in our creative, supportive small group weekly classes.
Students also have the opportunity to take LAMDA graded examinations in performance or communication skills. Find out more about LAMDA exams below.
Please contact me to find out more about bringing Playspace drama sessions or workshops to your school.
"Play is foundational for bonding relationships and fostering tolerance. It's where we learn to trust and where we learn about the rules of the game. Play increases creativity and resilience, and it's all about the generation of diversity - diversity of interactions, diversity of behaviours, diversity of connections."
Isabel Behncke
Field ethologist and primatologist
TAKE THE SPACE
We all have something to say and sometimes we need a little encouragement and practice to take the space and voice it. For children and young people who would like to develop their communication skills, self-expression and build confidence in small, supportive groups or individual work. A flexible programme of weekly sessions to suit the needs of your students and term dates, from a time limited 6 week programme to a full term, or year. This programme may particularly benefit EAL students who would like to develop confidence in their English speaking skills.
ABOUT LAMDA
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is one of the UK's oldest and most respected awarding bodies. Working towards LAMDA graded examinations can increase self-confidence, communication and social skills, develop memory skills and and build a strong speaking voice. Examinations take place annually and we can register your school as a Private LAMDA Examination Centre. You can find out more about LAMDA exams here.
SPACE BE
Let's create some space for our young people to pause and just be. I offer bespoke individual workshops from 2 hrs to half-day, or weekly sessions delivering a mindfulness programme to meet the needs of your students and term dates.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment. Our thought patterns can often lead us down a path of worrying about something that has happened or racing forward planning for the future. A mindfulness practice teaches us to gently guide our focus back to experiencing the present moment fully, however that may be for us.
What are the benefits of learning mindfulness?
Mindfulness trains us to direct our attention. By learning to pause and gently guide the attention back to experiencing the present moment we create more space. I like to describe this as the 'space between' and it is from this space that we also gain clarity and perhaps choose a more healthful response, instead of an automatic habitual reaction.
Studies show the benefits of a mindfulness practice help children and young people:
*recognise worry and manage difficult emotions
*decrease levels of stress
*recognise what is going well and to flourish
*develop greater compassion towards self and others.
*develop a greater awareness of relationships and improve their ability to resolve conflict
*may increase focus and attention in the classroom and regulate self-control
Youth Mindfulness is internationally recognised as a leader in mindfulness-based education.
SPACE BE
For young people aged 12-21
'For young people mindfulness needs to be fun, inspiring and relevant! All teenagers and young adults have amazing strengths within. Qualifites like kindness, resilience and wisdom. Mindfulness is the practice that empowers this potential.' Youth Mindfulness
SOMA Programme
The SOMA Programme, developed by Youth Mindfulness, is a flexible and responsive approach to sharing mindfulness with young people aged 12-21.
SOMA is an acronym for the key outcomes of the programme:
Social Connection
Openess to enjoyment
Meaning and purpose
Action and agency
SOMA sessions are experiential and packed with games, videos clips, activities and discussion that are designed to foster interaction, connection and trust. A core component of the course is that learning takes place in a positive, non-judgemental environment and this space is held and nurtured throughout the delivery of the programme.
The SOMA Programme can be adapted to different groups and delivered over a flexible number of weeks/days/hours.
Youth Mindfulness is internationally recognised as a leader in mindfulness-based education.
SPACE BE
For children aged 7-11.
"Flourishing is not a solo endeavor"
Dr Barbara Frederickson, Professor of Psychology & Author
Making mindfulness fun with the Youth Mindfulness Kids Programme. Packed full of fun activities, video clips and meditations to engage and inspire students. Let's help our children grow compassion and develop resilience.
Let's help them flourish!
Please use the contact form for more info and for delivery of any of our programmes in your school or youth setting.
