A massive thank you to our ambassadors who generously provide their time, support and expertise to help raise awareness of My Emotions Activity Book.
Karen Williams OBE, CEO of The Buddy Bag Foundation
The Buddy Bag Foundation was launched in response to the rising number of children who enter emergency care after fleeing violent situations at home.
The Foundation's mission is to help make the transition into emergency care a little easier by providing these children with essential and comfort items through 'bags of love' for their first night's stay.
Since its launch in 2015, the Foundation's volunteers have packaged and delivered over 40,000 bags to affected children after raising more than £850,000.
Shortly after launching My Emotions Activity Book, Karen contacted Laura and has become an incredible supporter of the project.
Karen recognised the value the activity book could have in helping vulnerable children who have undergone extreme stresses in their lives through being uprooted from their homes for various reasons.
We are proud to say that through generous donations, The Buddy Bag Foundation now includes professionally printed copies of the activity book within their resource packs so that Child and Family Support Workers to use them when working with vulnerable children.
These scenarios, let alone a child, are complex for anyone to comprehend or process. The activity book has helped to encourage these children to open up about their feelings thoughtfully and gently. It has become an invaluable tool for Child and Family Support Workers when working with these children, helping them open up and process what has happened.
In addition to her charity work, Karen also mentors Laura Helen Brown, the founder, author and illustrator of My Emotions Activity Book.
Karen's advice and mentorship have been invaluable, both personally and professionally.
Vinny Wagjiani, Detective Inspector with the Kent Police
Vinny Wagjiani, Detective Inspector with the Kent Police, has partnered with 'My Emotions Activity Book' to spread the word about the book's value for young people and children.
Vinny is passionate about the needs of young people in today's world and wants to do his part to ensure communities across the country are aware of the activity book.
Vinny's mission as an ambassador is to socialise awareness of the book with a wide range of organisations, community groups and schools that the police work with to help children and young people articulate their feelings.
Importantly, it is a resource that will help people that work in child protection to help children and young people open up and support their safeguarding.
Vinny is passionate about his community work; he is also the Chair of Governors for a West Sussex School, leading the Governing Body through the challenges faced in education today.
He provides insight into issues raised in meetings and, as a qualified coach, supports the school in developing coaching style leadership for staff and pupils to enhance the learning experience for everyone at the school.
Alongside this work, Vinny is a mentor and coach, which he enjoys delivering to people as a director of Kardia Coaching & Mentoring Ltd, which works with adults, children, and young people to support them to be the best they can be. The utopia is to equip young people with the confidence to shape their future by realising their full potential, a value which aligns with that of the 'My Emotions Activity Book'.
We are thrilled to have Vinny as an ambassador of 'My Emotions Activity Book'; his insight, knowledge, and passion will assist in our mission of every child within the UK having easy access to the activity book. We look forward to sharing with you our future projects and work.