Feedback from parents and teaching staff
Parent of a year 2 child in 2021 - Dear Mathew, I just wanted to write to say a huge thank you for what you do and everything you have done to help my daughter to figure out her inner turmoil she was battling over the last six months. I can see so much difference in her now. She is like a different child, home and school are very peaceful now compared to what they were before playing therapy. My daughter once again is excited to go into school, and her attendance is not a concern any more. "She says that she can't wait to go to school again". She is also making and maintaining friends in school and in our neighbourhood at home. Life is a lot calmer at home, and a lot of the issues we were having have stopped, which is amazing. The therapy sessions really did come and occur at such a crucial time, and had such a powerful effect on so many things in my child's life. My daughter and I are now looking forward to the future. Thank you again. God bless you and your work Mathew.
Year 3 child in 2021 -To Mathew, Thank you for all of your help. I will miss you lots, lots of love.
SENCO of a mainstream school in 2021 - I just wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of the parents, the school, the staff and myself for the positive contribution you have made to the school since you have worked with us. We have learnt so much from you, and you really have made learning much easier for pupils in our school!
Parent of a year 4 child in 2021 - My son is like a new boy! My son is now back to his usual happy, enthusiastic, bubbly self. I have my son back!; thank you, Mathew. My son had a wonderful experience with Mathew. My son said, “I love going to see Mathew; Mathew is Fun, Mathew is kind and calm” Mathew is an amazing individual, calm and patent. The school is very lucky to have Mathew at school. I cannot thank Mathew enough for all of the support and guidance he has given me and my son. Thank you!! I wish all schools had a Mathew!
Parent of a year 5 child in 2022 - I have felt that play therapy has extremely helped my child. I have also gained insight into my child's difficulties with the support of Mathew. My child looks forward to her weekly meeting with Mathew, and she found it very helpful
Parent of a year 4 child in 2022 - I am writing to say thank you to Mathew. Mathew has worked with my son for a couple of months, and over this time, my son is a different child; he is now so kind with his sisters and friends at school. He is a lot calmer and able to talk about his feelings. My son, for 8 years, has never been able to sleep in his bed by himself; he has always slept with me, but over the last couple of months, he is now able to sleep in his own bed through the night, and I am getting a good night sleep. All I can say is thank you, Mathew, for your hard work with my son and all the work you do.
Parent of a year 5 child in 2022 - My child really enjoyed interacting and being able to express imaginative play without the other peers around him. My son has anxiety about going to meet someone alone, but that subsided once he got used to it. My child felt a positive change when attending play therapy. Mathew helped my son understand why he was attending play therapy. I felt my son was given support and information, and tools to change areas of his life he was struggling with. My son really liked Mathew and going to play therapy.
SENCO of a mainstream school 2022 - Mathew, I just wanted to say a huge thank you on behalf of the parents, school and staff, and myself for your passionate contribution to supporting children with mental health, emotional and behavioural difficulties you have made to the school since working with us. We have learned so much from you, and we have and will continue to make changes to how we support these children. Never give up on your mission to support children who are struggling. I certainly won't
Year 8 child 2022 - Thank you, Mathew, for all of the help you have given me in play therapy! I will never forget you.
Parent of a Reception child in 2023 - It has been extremely beneficial for my child to attend play therapy with Mathew as he was able to communicate his difficulties around the trauma he has experienced and learn strategies to explore and cope with the traumatic events over the last couple of years. It has been extremely beneficial to gain insight into our parenting and change areas that we have been struggling with the help of Mathew. Our son has benefited from play therapy, and Mathew has been wonderful for us all.
Teacher of a Year 3 child 2023 - As a newly qualified teacher, I feel that play therapy has given me insight into the mental health and emotional state of children in my class. With the help of Mathew, I have been able to implement strategies and develop a toolkit of support for the child.
Parent of a year 1 child in 2023 - Various themes were identified and explored in the parent meetings, which we as a family can consider and address, and it was very helpful. I am very happy with the support Mathew has given my child but also to us as parents throughout Mathew's time working with my child. Therapy with mathew is positive, gentle and safe, which has given my family the opportunity to slowly work through my son’s problems. My son enjoys the activities and the freedom for him to play with lots of different things.
Parent of a year 6 child in 2023 - Play therapy really helped my daughter recognise her feelings, and she is now able to overcome her negative feelings and put in place strategies within the home and the classroom. I feel that I have the opportunity to communicate my fears and thoughts about my child, and I strongly feel that play therapy has been beneficial for my child. Mathew has listened to my concerns about my child.
Parent of a year 2 child 2023 - My son loved attending the sessions and has developed new strategies which he is using in the classroom and at home, and I'm also able to use strategies that Mathew has given me for the home.
Parent of a year 3 child 2023 - Our child's self-esteem and confidence has dramatically improved since starting play therapy with Mathew; although we can see there is still work to be done, we feel there is a big jump forward for our son. We are glad we have had the opportunity for play therapy to be offered to our son as it has been a help for a period of time for us as parents and our son. Our son has stated that he really enjoyed his time in therapy and with Mathew.
Parent of a year 1 child 2023 - Mathew has always been available to discuss any questions or concerns we have had regarding our son in play therapy. Mathew has been able to offer advice, support and strategies that has been very helpful to us in class and at home. Our son has always been happy to attend play therapy sessions during his allocated time.
Parent of a year 2 and year 4 child in 2023 - Both my children attend play therapy with Mathew and have developed and changed their behaviour and have developed an understanding of themselves which is healthy. Their recognition and understanding of their emotions as dramatically improved. Both children have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions with Mathew and have looked forward to them. Mathew has been extremely helpful and supportive throughout to both my husband and I and our children. The children have told me how much they enjoy their sessions with Mathew and have been much more open to discuss their feelings and emotions; they have a better understanding of how they feel. Thank you for all of your help and support, Mathew!
Teacher of a year 3 child in 2023 - Play therapy has improved the child ability to cope and deal with their emotions in a better way. The communication between myself, Mathew and the parent was extremely successful. The child thoroughly enjoyed his time in play therapy with Mathew
Parent of a year 6 child 2023 - I believe play therapy has had a beneficial impact which has offered my son an opportunity for him to explore everything that he is struggling with in a safe space. My some has really enjoyed working with Mathew, although there are times that has been hard when therapy has been difficult for my son. I have had the opportunities within parent meetings to discuss my needs for my child and for our family, and Mathew has listened to me, and I felt heard by Mathew. I now know how to implement strategies since my son has attended play therapy. My son has had a number of traumatising transitions whilst working with Mathew - leaving one school and attending another, which has been a big transition for my son and Mathew has supported my son, but also us as a family throughout this time period. Thank you for all your help and support. I don't think we would have gotten through this time period without you.
Teacher of a year 3 child in 2023 -The child is able to deal with his emotions in a better way due to play therapy and working with Mathew. The child enjoyed his time during all of the play therapy sessions. I feel like the communication between myself and Mathew has been brilliant.
Parent of a year 3 child 2023 - My child has very much enjoyed having a bit of "me" time where he can express himself. It has been lovely to see and hear him open up during his time in play therapy. I feel that play therapy has been incredibly helpful for my child! My child said that he enjoyed his time with Mathew and in play therapy. I feel that as a parent, I have been supported to make changes within the home. As I didn't have a good experience of school when I was growing up, so I struggled to talk with my child's teacher and other professionals, but with the support of Mathew, I have been helped to engage with the school and now support my son in school. Thank you, Mathew for all of your help!!
Parent of a year 3 child 2023 - My child's confidence, self-esteem and communication has improved significantly, which I feel is due to the work that Mathew and play therapy has done with my child. The two leaflets were both informative and helpful to myself and my child. Mathew communicated effectively with myself and my wife, and I felt listened to. I was able to communicate my needs and concerns for my child and my family situation.
Parent of a year 4 child 2023 - I feel that my son has benefited from having some one-on-one time with Mathew, the play therapist. I feel my son appreciated having space to do what he wanted and needed to understand what he has experienced over the last three years, and has gained some ideas and tools in understanding his thoughts and emotions. It's been helpful having Mathew being able to give ideas on ways to help cope with my son and his behaviour. I recognise that sometimes it's a simple change in my perspective and my understanding of the situation and implementing other strategies into home life, but previously I just couldn't see it!
Teacher of a year 4 child in 2023 - Play therapy has been effective for my pupil to express past experiences and trauma that he cannot explain verbally. I found the meetings I had with Mathew very helpful, and Mathew provided information that I can use in the classroom to support the child and me. I felt I had the opportunity to share my ideas and concerns with Mathew. I also felt that play therapy was very beneficial for this child.
Teacher of a year 3 child 2023 - Mathew was extremely helpful and offered useful advice to me as a teacher. I felt the leaflets gave me a lot of information in order for me to understand what play therapy was and how it would help the child in my class. In addition, Mathew helped me understand the process the child was going through and what strategies I could put into the classroom. I feel overall, the child play therapy sessions was beneficial and that the child was given supportive information and tools to use within the classroom and home.
Teacher of a year 2 child in 2023 - I have seen significant improvement in the child’s confidence within the classroom. I feel that the child is now learning how to communicate his feelings and wants better since his play therapy sessions. I have been kept up to date with the child’s progress throughout the sessions, and I feel play therapy was beneficial to the child. I also had an opportunity to share ideas, concerns and goals. Mathew helped me understand about play therapy and how it might help the child in my class.
Teacher of a year 4 child in 2023 - During the last two years, the child has suffered a great deal of trauma and changes. Being given an opportunity to express himself in a safe space has been greatly beneficial to him. Play therapy has been a positive experience, I was kept informed throughout without breaking confidentiality and safeguarding concerns raised immediately.
Parent of a year 2 child in 2023 - Play therapy has been very beneficial for my son. It has given him opportunities to talk through his issues and difficulties, and it has given him the confidence to resolve some of his issues. Mathew explained the process before he met with me, and everything was explained with clarity. Mathew provided a detailed report upon my son’s last session. Thank you very much, mathew, for all your help and support!
Parent of a year 6 child in 2023 - Play therapy was beneficial because it gave my son the opportunity to engage with his emotions and the trauma he has experienced in a safe environment that wasn't the home. It gave my son routine and security, which has been lacking over the last three years. I, as a parent, personally felt the play therapy session were extremely beneficial, and I feel a huge relief at being supported by the school, Mathew and play therapy. What I said about my child was listening to, heard, and acted upon. I, as a parent, often find interventions or programs in school do not support parents or tackle or support parents at home. Mathew and play therapy has worked with my child at school and supported me to take on strategies within the home. I'm so grateful that the school has been able to offer this service to me and my child. I felt that play therapy was a gentle intervention that enabled my child to slowly engage with his emotions and traumatic memories of his past, which has given my son the opportunity to slowly investigate his emotions and traumatic memories. My son doesn't talk to me much about school or play therapy, but he has said he likes Mathew and attending play therapy.