Fiona Holiday

Connection! All animals respond to a bit of play… Part of the way I build trust with the alpaca herd is to play - it’s meant that nervous alpacas like Amber here are getting brave! #play #safety #connection

Creativity and flow…. Needle felting is a lovely way to relax!

Been branching out a bit - if you are in Nottingham and would like an amazing experience, get in touch!

I’ve been a little quiet over the past few months - this space has been taking up more of my time. There is something magical about being outdoors and working with alpacas… all about connection, of course! #animalassistedtherapy #alpaca #connection

Loved talking to people in Derbyshire - and seeing friendly faces I haven’t seen for a while! I’m struck by thinking about story from a well-being, recovery and development perspective rather than a pure literacy one. Stories are the way humans make sense of the world.

I’ll be talking about the role of play in healing (and why stories matter) #play #story #playtherapy

Clay! #play #earlyeducation #earlyyears

I really appreciate my days either the @BridgetheGapFW team - we talked about the space between people and what we each bring to that space. Thank you for having me x

Still convinced that allowing children more time and space To play would improve their lives dramatically. #playforlife

It’s so refreshing to read a piece which demonstrates the value of play however it shows up… there is an innate trust in the child here… to navigate their way through play and a sense of autonomy - a fish in water… we all deserve to feel comfortable in our own skin #play

Let’s be curious about where these ideas come from/what stresses are driving them… the deep suspicion of children learning through play is so widespread… is it control and justification? Trusting the process and the play is hard. A risk. When we are stressed, risky is hard.

After a chilly week, working with alpaca fleece@to make a little something brings me joy #mindfulness #flow #play #sunday #cosy #create

The term evidence-based practice is used all the time as a rationale for ways of working and accessing funding. But what are we able to gather evidence of? Who decides?

These are tough times. We need to tell our stories so we feel less alone & make space to listen to others’ stories. The tougher the times, the more we need ways to work through them and make sense of what’s going on. We all have stories to tell. Listen #story #play #playtherapy

I cannot say often enough that play is essential for humans. And when things are tough, then more playing is needed. Why would we reduce time to play when children are under stress and struggling? Play soothes, organises, energises, connects, problem-solves, regulates… #play

I recognise that it is important to me to feel part of something bigger than me. It is also hard to attract attention to myself so making this happen is a challenge! I cycle through engagement and disengagement. Then remember that connection helps me feel alive. #connect #play

I have to practise practising what I preach so put aside a couple of hours today for some playing! Abstracting, using mixed media and letting go of perfection! #play #create #lovenature #closeobservation

Working with our hands helps us express what the heart can’t say… pulling, twisting, pressing, squashing… leaving an impression. Emotions are meant to lead to motion - expression, externalising helps. #emotionalloteracy #create #play #playtherapy

If you need to be reminded of the power of #connection and #belonging and community, read this. So important to tell the story of the pandemic and understand how we got through. Great observations.

What happens when systems are overwhelmed? Referral criteria become narrower to limit access, saying no to requests for help becomes more frequent, the time allowed for the help to be offered reduces. Where does the demand go? How do people make this ok when it’s not?