Clara Shield
I have been a Youth and Community Arts worker for over 20 years, working primarily with young people with challenging circumstances. Following my first degree in Theatre where my interests in educating children and young people through storytelling and creativity first began, I pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Youth and Community Arts and practiced as a youth worker in both the voluntary and statutory youth sectors, specialising in gender and culture, leading to a Masters degree in this discipline.
My interests in culture and heritage have led me to further deepen my knowledge in the power of collective learning from individuals’ stories, using digital story gathering as a platform to share experiences and give a voice to marginalised groups in society.
Fiona Scott
I’m Fiona Scott and I have been fortunate in my 19 year career to work with both voluntary and statutory organisations with young people and their families from diverse backgrounds.
As a qualified BACP Accredited Counsellor, I feel passionate about reducing the barriers and stigma that can still surround mental health and ensuring that young people have safe spaces that are freely accessible and have their voices heard. I strongly believe and have seen first-hand, how engagement in the creative arts and media are natural vehicles for young people not only to develop their skills in film, but also promoting self-confidence and interactions with peers; all of which are crucial in bolstering mental health and their holistic development.
Lorraine Brewis
I am a qualified Integrative Therapist and member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) with experience of working with children, young people, families and adults. I have worked with children and young people for the past 42 years, firstly as a teacher and then in latter years as a therapist. I have extensive experience working with young people who are diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and SEMH.
Currently, I work in schools as a counsellor, as well as in private practice. I also lecture on the level 5 diploma in counselling.
As a counsellor, I believe in a psycho-educative approach to help young people understand the basis of feelings and emotions to build emotional literacy and self-regulation, and in time develop a toolkit of interventions which can be used beyond the therapeutic process.