Family Wellbeing Norfolk founded by Oxborough mum of three to help children's emotional health

A mum of three believes so passionately about children's emotional health and wellbeing that she has set up a business offering help through classes and workshops.

Louise Thompson, of Oxborough, founded Family Wellbeing Norfolk earlier this year and offers assistance with a range of issues. In some cases this is on a one-to-one basis and in others in small groups.

She said: "I created Family Wellbeing Norfolk to bring together all my training, knowledge and experience to be able to offer families a range of services, all of which I care deeply about.

"It's so important that we are able to provide children with strategies to support their mental health so when they become adults they are able to cope and manage better. Children learn vital skills that they can use throughout school, home and daily life.

"After seeing my own children suffering with anxiety I am very proud to be in a position to help and support them better and to be able to help all the families I meet.

"It's so important for children to grow into adults with some great ways to support their mental health, reducing the strain on the NHS."

Louise received help from Homestart, and when her children were settled at school, she decided to become a volunteer herself to give others the same vital support.

"Homestart supported me through challenging times and my son’s diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) so I wanted to give something back," she said.

"I loved it so much, I decided to start doing some extra training. I did some sensory workshops, attachment training, special educational needs in the classroom and recently studied young mental health and challenging behaviour.

"I am currently finishing my qualification for the International Association of Infant Massage as an instructor."

Louise is a qualified Relax Kids coach, having completed her training in March and runs local community classes in Oxborough. Swaffham Lions have donated £330 to fund free Relax Kids classes for families in Swaffham Community Centre, beginning on January 11.

She has also devised Creative Calm and is holding her first workshop on Saturday, December 21, from 4pm-6pm at Oxborough Village Hall. She explained: "It's A Sleepy Christmas workshop, designed to combine mindful art with fun and relaxation."

She became licensed to provide Go Zen programmes, which are specifically designed for children with several different mental health issues, including anxiety and OCD.

And in order to complete her business she wanted to provide family support to those who are struggling with parenting, illness, and have special educational needs.

For more information about Louise's classes and services, visit www.familywellbeingnorfolk.co.uk or call her on 07867492159.