My Personal Journey with Sensory Wellness

This journey is deeply personal for me. I’ve been there- trying to find ways to help my children and myself feel safe, regulated understood, and empowered. These experiences have shaped not only how I approach wellness but also how I support others. As a parent walking this path too, I understand what it feels like to search for answers while holding everything together.

With over 16 years of hands-on experience in both primary mainstream, and secondary alternative provisions, I’ve supported children with a wide range of needs: autism, ADHD, speech and language difficulties, social-emotional challenges, mental health needs, and complex medical conditions.

But beyond teaching and interventions, the heart of my work has always been helping children understand who they are as learners, as individuals, and as sensory beings. I support them in embracing their needs rather than working against them, creating strategies that nurture their confidence and self-awareness. From developing personalised learning plans to leading wellbeing interventions and collaborating with specialists, my focus is always on honouring each child’s unique strengths and potential.

I’ve also worked closely with parents and carers, offering a safe space for open conversations, reassurance, and guidance. I’ve witnessed the power of understanding and connection in transforming a child’s (and a parent’s) journey. My belief in holistic, inclusive approaches has led me to create sensory-friendly environments, staff wellbeing initiatives, and creative strategies that support not just learning, but belonging.

And yet, my professional life and personal life have never been separate stories. They’ve always walked side by side.

When the first wave of COVID hit, I found out I was pregnant with twins, a boy and a girl. A week later, while discussing our roles as key workers, I had to share the news earlier than I’d anticipated. My headteacher congratulated me, and in the same breath sent me home, just as lockdown began. (Side note: it’s surreal thinking back, face masks, the quiet streets, the rush for toilet roll and bottled water!)

Shortly after, during one of my early scans, doctors discovered an anomaly in our son’s brain. After further investigations, including an MRI, he was diagnosed antenatally with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) and an Interhemispheric Cyst. I was suddenly thrown into a world of unfamiliar medical terminology and overwhelming uncertainty.

For those unfamiliar:

ACC is a rare condition where the structure that connects the two hemispheres of the brain is partially or entirely missing. It can lead to a range of developmental or neurological challenges- or, in some cases, few or no symptoms at all.

An interhemispheric arachnoid cyst is a fluid-filled sac located between the brain’s hemispheres. These cysts can sometimes cause pressure- related symptoms or developmental delays, depending on their size and position.

Following the diagnosis, we were supported by both the neonatal team, and neurosurgery team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, who to this this day have been nothing short of incredible. We had to learn everything we could, quickly and thoroughly- while navigating fear, hope, and a whole new reality.

We had alot to adjust to once the twins were born. For the first year, I tracked my son’s head circumference weekly, and reported to his neonatal consultant to monitor for any changes that might require urgent medical attention. I lived in constant alert mode- balancing new motherhood, medical appointments, and the needs of my eldest child, who was five at the time, aswell as my relationship.

Like so many parents, I’ve felt it all- fear, confusion, gratitude, love, and a fierce determination. At one point, I knew I needed to find stillness and tools to regulate my own emotions. I wanted the rare peaceful moments to feel meaningful and grounding.

That’s when I turned toward something that had always felt natural- holistic healing.

As a family, we’ve always embraced natural remedies, so I began studying herbalism, wanting to deepen my understanding of how plants and nature can support emotional wellness.

These practices became powerful tools for my own healing. I started crafting candles, sprays, and smoke cleansers using herbs, oils, and intentions- designed not just to soothe the senses but to invite calm, connection, and emotional clarity into our everyday lives. Lighting a candle at the end of the day became a ritual, a moment to release the noise and welcome in peace... I thought maybe this is something I can share with others.

However, I found myself torn. My passion for working with children and young people- helping them recognise their individuality and thrive was just as strong as my desire to guide others through their own healing. I wasn’t sure how to bring both worlds together.

Then, in 2024, I joined a brand strategy program that helped me reconnect with my story, my vision, and most importantly- my why! That’s when I realised: I don’t have to choose between these paths. I can blend them.

Sensory wellness is the bridge between both parts of my world.

Whether we’re neurotypical or neurodivergent, our sensory experiences shape how we feel, connect, and navigate life. Our senses are more than just input- they are gateways to emotional regulation, mindfulness, and self-awareness. And in our busy, overstimulating world, consciously tuning into them can help us ground ourselves, build resilience, and feel more at home in our bodies.

This is the heart of what I offer, an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and engage your senses with intention, creating moments of calm, clarity, and deeper connection in your everyday life.