Our Impact
Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) is a form of creative therapy that uses movement and dance to support emotional, social, physical, and psychological wellbeing. It’s based on the understanding that body and mind are connected, and that how we move can express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Children’s Voices on BASE
“When I come to BASE, I can talk about the things that make me feel sad.”
“I have time to myself to talk about the difficulties in my life.”
“Because I’m a young carer, I rarely get time to go on playdates — but here I can interact with others and share my ideas.”
“BASE made me feel better by helping with my attendance and controlling my anger.”
“I like BASE. It’s a great space to talk about things at school that are bothering me.”
“It changed my life — when I come in, I feel sad. When I leave, I feel happy.”
“I’ve had therapy before, so I know it’s always good to talk to someone.”
“I didn’t realise other children were going through what I go through.”
“I’ve learned how to look at situations from different angles and resolve conflict with friends.”
How Schools See BASE
Our BASE mentor has been exceptional – described as “amazing” by the school.
Her role as a trusted adult within the school but not staff has been particularly valuable.
Provided crucial support to challenging Year 6 pupils, especially effective in de-escalating behaviour.
“BASE made me feel better by helping with my attendance and controlling my anger.”
“I like BASE. It’s a great space to talk about things at school that are bothering me.”
“It changed my life — when I come in, I feel sad. When I leave, I feel happy.”
“I’ve had therapy before, so I know it’s always good to talk to someone.”
“I didn’t realise other children were going through what I go through.”
“I’ve learned how to look at situations from different angles and resolve conflict with friends.”
Parents Talk About BASE
BASE builds strong, trusting relationships with families.Mentors offer compassionate, non-judgmental support.
Parents feel listened to and involved in the process.
Practical advice and emotional guidance help families manage behavioural challenges at home.
BASE supports joined-up working with school staff, creating consistent approaches for children with complex needs.
Families report a positive impact on both their child’s wellbeing and family life.
Staff Share Their Thoughts
Practical, accessible training with high staff engagement and uptake.
Strong focus on neurodivergence, cognitive development, and emotional regulation.
Provided effective strategies for supporting children with complex needs.
BASE trainers are supportive, approachable, and available beyond training sessions.
Strengthened collaboration between staff, wellbeing leads, and BASE mentors.
BASE Case Study
Josh was referred to mentoring due to difficulties with emotional regulation in the classroom. He would often become upset and found it challenging to communicate the reasons behind his feelings. In mentoring, he began to share frustrations from home, particularly around being compared to his younger brother. These comparisons left Josh feeling misunderstood and contributed to emotional outbursts both at home and in school.
During sessions, we focused on developing Josh’s communication skills by helping him express how he was feeling before making requests. Josh practiced this approach with his mother and reported a more positive response, feeling listened to and acknowledged.
This progress transferred into the classroom. Josh began identifying and naming his emotions before reacting. He was introduced to the WATER Check, which supported him in understanding the underlying causes of his emotions and choosing appropriate regulation strategies. Josh reflected on this by stating, “I feel like I know what to do now when I’m feeling angry or upset.”
Josh now independently uses self-regulation tools, such as a stress ball, to manage his emotions. The school SENCO noted the effectiveness of this approach and has since implemented the WATER Check with other students.
Through targeted mentorship and intervention, Josh has become more confident and expressive, enabling him to communicate his emotions in a safe and constructive way both in sessions and in the classroom.