As a teacher, playworker, trainee play therapist and professional storyteller I have worked with a huge number of children. I have ‘performed’ to over 2,500 children in the past fifteen years and have a rapport with children gained from my dedication to really connect with children.
I have worked in schools, preschools, nurseries, theatres, festivals, schools, nurseries as well as Bristol Zoo, the Children’s Hospital, the SS Great Britain and for Bristol’s parks programme. I was co-Founder of the Bristol Storytelling Festival and I run the Bristol Story Cafe. I write for Early Years Educator magazine, websites and blogs and have talked on BBC Radio Bristol on storytelling.
Alongside traditional story sessions I can run story yoga sessions which I am qualified to do. I have run sessions in schools for the Gifted & Talented programme, World Book Day, themed stories on specific countries as well as particular stories. I have linked stories with parts of the curriculum such as sport, PSHE or philosophy, Healthy Schools work and maths. I have run Story Trails with schools, undertaken 1:1 work, run parents workshops, performed at whole school assemblies and facilitated inset training for teachers. I am DBS checked.
Also visit http://www.blueoctopus-playtherapy.co.uk for information on my play therapy work.
Feedback on storytelling sessions:
“I have heard from every teacher how fantastic you were. Every glowing report from how brilliant you were with the children to the stories and the range of stories and how calm and chilled out you were. I know every one in school enjoyed your visit, so I am glad you enjoyed it too. We will be definitely booking you again, and it will be before next book week, as the reception LSA put it, ‘we’ll have her back anytime we can!’” Sea Mills School
“I work in different schools and that’s the best storytelling session I’ve seen in years!” Parent and educator
“Its not as good as I thought it would be” pause… “it was 100 times better!” S, 10 of a bushcraft / story session
“Thanks again for your storytelling session – there was very good feedback, the children enjoyed it and I hope you did too.” Teacher at the Bristol Children’s Hospital
“I have had great feedback from the last parents story workshop you ran and it has already changed the way parents tell stories with their children so thank you.” Blaise Primary School
“There was so much great feedback” Westbury Park School
“The children loved it, thanks so much!” The Red House Children’s Centre
“I very much hope you’ll be able to visit us again, to share some more of those wonderful stories.” Hannah More School
“The Nursery children were very engaged and actively involved with Paula’s oral storytelling experience. Two children in particular who are normally very quiet and passive, became extremely animated and even laughed out loud!” Sefton Park Nursery
“I enjoyed the session enormously” Ashley Down School
“It was super thank you! They loved it and were so engaged! We will definitely be in touch for more!” Baddocks Wood Community Primary School and Children’s Centre
“What you do is wonderful!” Cotham Gardens School
“A real inspiration” Brunel Fields