Collaborators and Community

I met Louise Pendry, Artistic Director of Bounce Theatre to deliver some staff training using The Daesy Dialogue in July 2023. This led on to us developing a collaboration together to support parents of pre-schoolers with their emotional health through creative play where our focus was on parent-child connection and communication.

Working with Clare had an immediate transformative impact on our creative practice. It made us work with greater care, slow down as a team and be more responsive to the emotions children presented before we'd even started our work. As such we built better relationships with the group. When challenging behaviour arose we acknowledged it, talked about it and identified together what happens next. One day, a young person came by themselves for one day. They didn't want to engage very much with others. We let them be. At the end, I told them I thought they were really brave, because it's hard to come to new groups and be with new people, I struggled and so I admired her. She smiled, said thank you and one day she might like to join our youth theatre. I don't think I'd have thought to do that if I hadn't had the training with Clare.

Louise Pendry
Artistic Director

Ellie Powling, Speaking of Books, and I have been working together since 2019. She creates opportunities to bring children and authors together by pairing up authors, illustrators and speakers with schools and providing an excellent and engaging service for all. Speaking of Books is family run business that was started over 25 years ago by her mum, Jan Powling, and continues to go from strength to strength.

When enquiries are made through Speaking of Books, Ellie organises and co-ordinates my author visits and workshops with UK based schools and occasional international school visits.

Clare Luther’s visit during book week was an enriching experience for both students and educators alike. Her passionate discussion about well-being and mental health resonated deeply with the IB curriculum’s emphasis on holistic education. By encouraging children to openly discuss their feelings, she empowered them to prioritize their mental well-being—a crucial lesson for young learners... Clare’s incorporation of her book series, “The Little Paws Hotel” and “The Animorals,” seamlessly connected literature with various units across the primary school curriculum... Clare’s presence as an author served as a powerful reminder of the impact of storytelling in education. Her ability to engage students and spark their imagination undoubtedly left a lasting impression. Additionally, her connection to ‘Speaking of Books’ provides educators with a convenient avenue to invite her for future events. Overall, Clare Luther’s visit was a highlight of book week, fostering a culture of literacy, empathy, and well-being within the school community. Her message and stories will undoubtedly continue to inspire students to be thoughtful and compassionate individuals

Janette Falk
Primary Teacher Librarian, The International School of Toulouse

Linda James MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Bullies Out, and I crossed paths when National Anti-Bullying Week was approaching in 2021. We shared a very honest phone call about our personal experiences of bullying and in turn the stories I had written to help young children communicate their feelings about being bullied or being the bully. Linda immediately placed an order for two of the books in The Little Paws Hotel series, Dudley and Peggy, which remain a consistent and helpful resource for their ‘Hands of Courage’ workshop.

Due to our shared interest and passion in wanting to help educate parents on how to talk with their children about their experiences, Bullies Out are pointing their readers to my picture books on their web page "Talking to Your Child".

Peggy and Dudley books work so well in our Hand of Courage workshop and the schools love having them as an additional resource.

Linda James MBE
Founder and Chief Executive

Founder of I Can & I Am, James Shone's mission is to inspire confidence and empower individuals by helping them focus on who they are and what they are able to do, rather than focusing on what they can't.

I have trained the I Can & I Am staff in The Daesy Dialogue, enhancing their ability to foster emotional awareness and resilience among students. Additionally, I support the team as a member of staff for occasional Tour Bus workshops across the south.

What the staff said about our training session together - "WOW!! What a fantastic morning. We all loved it genuinely find the whole morning so valuable. What you’re doing is just brilliant. You’re an obvious expert in what you do and speak in such an eloquent and passionate way about the whole topic.

Rebecca Burton
Operations Administrator

The Canine Assisted Wellbeing Group (CAWG) was founded in 2014 by Vickie Plumer, an animal assisted therapist with a background in equine and dog training. When Vickie and I had our first meeting together there was an instant marrying up of passions to help support young children's emotional health. The combination of Vickie's work and the resource of my stories allowed for a great partnership and CAWG now use The Little Paws Hotel and The Animorals books on their school visits to have meaningful conversations with the children about their big everyday emotions.

(The Little Paws Hotel books)... they are an essential part of their kit bag.

Vicky Plumer
Founder

The Gulu Mission Initiative (GMI) is dedicated to helping disadvantaged children and families in Northern Uganda, a region devastated by 24 years of civil war. GMI focuses on education, social action, and community growth, giving children the opportunity for an education and a hopeful future. Through their efforts, they strive to uplift entire communities by addressing both practical and emotional needs, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives.

After hearing about GMI through Katharine Hill, UK Director of Care for the Family (CFF), my husband and I felt compelled to support this incredible cause. We are now trustees, actively involved in raising funds and promoting the emotional and spiritual well-being of the community. My Christian picture book, Say What?!, has been warmly received by the children, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to their journey.

I'm so excited to collaborating with Clare as we work together on projects that align with GULU Mission's goals, combing our impactful community and education work in Uganda with Clare's story telling talents. This partnership aims to bring greater awareness and support to the initiatives at GULU Mission.

Helen Lock
Founder

Learn2Love2Read (L2L2R) is a Wandsworth based charity that works with families and schools to support a love of reading. It aims to help toddlers as well as children in the early years of primary school, and equip and engage parents to support reading at home.

I met Teresa Harris, Founder, in 2018 when we worked together for an event L2L2R were running for Empathy Day. Since then, we have collaborated and partnered together for author events in schools, where the children have been able to enjoy meeting an author and experience some interactive storytelling sessions as I read books from The Little Paws Hotel series.

A huge thanks for our inspiring visit to the children, they loved having you and got so much enjoyment out of meeting you.

Vicki Brophy
Deputy Headteacher at Smallwood Primary School

10ofThose is a Book Ministry that I have worked with since 2022. It aims to help everyone in and outside the church have access to the best Christian books about the Lord and His teachings. I have authored one children's picture book, released in September 2023, and have been commissioned to write another, due for release in 2026. I enjoyed taking part in Big Church Festival 2024 as a guest speaker with 10ofThose.

Thank you so much for being a part of the programme in the Story telling tent by reading your book. We had a great time with varying audiences, from families to a full tent and even a group of teenagers.

Geraldine Sparks
Executive Assistant

I am one of four volunteers who run a weekly Playgroup, which I've been involved with for over 15 years. We welcome in parents and their babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers on a weekly basis where our aim is to encourage friendship, fun and play.

Investing in personal relationships, supporting parents and promoting young children's emotional growth is such an integral part of my role within this group, which complements all that I do with my Early Years and Parent Educator work in schools and beyond.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for including us all as part of the St Luke’s community. The playgroup has been such a joy to come to and that’s down to all of you - thank you so much.

Mum of 3