What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 2pm Wednesday 10am - 2pm

Safe Spaces with Sam, Crawley (2025)

Q: What is the website?

http://safe-spaces.square.site/

23/12/2025

🦋🌞 Christmas can begin! 🌞🦋

After saying Merry Christmas to my final client of 2025 yesterday, I am now officially on my holidays!

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and New Year everyone.

22/12/2025

🦋🌞Is your young person struggling with anxiety?🌞🦋

I officially launched my anxiety workbook last month and have already received such positive comments, so thank you.

It's something I've been working on for a good while now, to offer some help to those children and teens who, for whatever reason can't make it to a coaching session.

This workbook is designed to help with anxiety by way of educating on what it is, what the cause is for them and strategies to help ease it.

When you purchase it from my digital shop you will get the pdf file to download the booklet and a loom video recording of me guiding you through how to best use each page. It was important to me to include the instructional video so you weren't left with a booklet and that's it.

As a special offer to celebrate I am offering a 10% discount with the code GET10. You can get your copy here

https://shop.beacons.ai/safespaceswithsam/f9cfb756-1d2f-493d-ab8f-81695a308b41

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

22/12/2025

🦋🌞 How our trip to Lapland UK was a success 🌞🦋

We recently spent an incredible day at Lapland UK and to say I was a little nervous would be an understatement. Those of you with neurodivergent children know all too well how day trips can easily turn into a nightmare and if you add hormones into it too it could be the recipe for disaster.

This trip was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us and I had placed a lot of pressure on it to be the perfect day, this in itself I know is potentially not the best way to go into things, but as a parent it's inevitable. So I wanted to ensure we did everything within our control to make it be the best it could be, for all of us.

That's the first important bit, 'in our control', it's impossible to foresee every eventuality and there will always be something that comes up, but there was plenty we could control. I'll be honest, it took a lot of planning though.

I joined a Lapland UK Facebook group well in advance and read lots of tips about taking spare socks in case their feet get wet after ice skating, spare trousers for falling over and so on. These all proved invaluable on the day.

I didn't insist on festive clothes for that photo at the end, they wore what was comfortable for them, I saw plenty of families in their lovely matching jumpers and outfits and I hope this was ok for them, but it definitely wouldn't work for us.

To set any squiggles at the unknowns at bay, I showed what photos I could from other families trips and gave them a run down of what the day would roughly look like and the activities we would be doing.

We didn't go too crazy on the excitement levels beforehand.

We went for a mid afternoon slot so could chill in the morning, I also spent time with them checking what they wanted to know and if there were any anxieties around any of the day during that time.

We packed 2 rucksacks with water, spare clothes, activities for the journey, snacks, sweets, ear defenders, fidgets, Calpol fast melts, spare clothes, extra layers, wipes and tissues- everything we might need with instant access.

During our time we gave them space, for example when sitting doing the activities we stood up so they could spread out on our 'family bench' and not feel squashed- a huge one for us is personal space.

We did regular body checks as introspection can sometimes be poor. This means checking if they need the toilet, are hungry, thirsty, fidgety , anxious and so on. Because we'd packed well we could then easily solve anything this revealed. Had we not regularly asked I feel the day would not have gone so well.

We let them lead their time, if they wanted to stop an activity we did, we ate dinner when they were hungry, they didn't want photos with the elves because they weren't keen on interactions, no problem, I wasn't going to force them into an uncomfortable situation just to get some cute photos.

We were aware of time and didn't spend too long lingering, photos were quick. We know all too well that if things take too long this is a red flag for dysregulation. We know we have a thin line to consider when it comes to time and luckily we got it just right, the walk back to the car at the end was filled with excited chat about our day, not the grumpy comments and one word answers we've had in the past.

We also planned the other end getting home, we'd had baths and washed hair in the morning, so bedtime could be quick. This is often a tricky time in our house after a busy day.

We allowed some transition time when we got home to place their souvenirs and trinkets where they wanted and take a little pause.

So when I say it was an incredible day with no dysregulation I am being completely truthful, probably the only time I could say that about a big trip actually. It did take a lot of effort beforehand, but I'm now into the habit of how to handle the day itself, so that doesn't feel like effort and it was completely worth it.

Helping families to deal with day trips and plan occasions is just one small part of coaching and as you can see, it's one that I can talk about from experience. I like to think it's what makes me good at my job, I get it, I'm still navigating my way through it in fact and understand what you're going through.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

21/12/2025

🦋🌞A hot topic at Safe Spaces HQ at the moment 🌞🦋

Quite a few of my superstars have ADHD or are on the pathway for diagnosis and I've heard from both them and their parents that there has been a fair bit of wanting sweet treats recently. Maybe this resonates with your household?

Well what you might not know is that there is a strong link between ADHD and the hunt for sugar and I'll explain why.

The ADHD brain is naturally lower in Dopamine, the hormone we get when we experience pleasure and rewards, therefore often these children 'hunt' for the missing dopamine in different ways. Sugary treats give an instant hit of dopamine, but this is short lived and can lead to a dependency as they want more.

This can become problematic because after the initial rush has worn off the child can become irritable, tired and moody as they experience the crash and inevitably get refused when they ask for more.

Sleep can also be affected (which is often poor anyway) if the sugar is consumed too late and causes the child to be restless before needing to settle to bed.

So now you know why your child may be seeking out that sweet treat. Instead you could try some of these:

1️⃣ *Outdoor play* Exercise releases endorphins, which can boost dopamine levels naturally!

2️⃣ *Creative activities* Painting, drawing, crafting, or playing music can stimulate dopamine release and encourage creativity!

3️⃣ *Social connections* Spending quality time with friends and family can increase dopamine levels and strengthen relationships!

4️⃣ *Healthy foods* Foods rich in tyrosine, like lean meats, fish, eggs, and nuts, can support dopamine production!

5️⃣ *Mindfulness and relaxation* Practices like meditation and deep breathing can help regulate dopamine levels and reduce stress

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

20/12/2025

🦋🌞Do you resonate with any of these?🌞🦋

Anxiety is another common reason why parents get in touch to request a coaching session and many of the reasons listed are brought up in the first session.

I work with my superstars to overcome these issues and help them build a toolbox of strategies to use in times of anxiety and stress.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me an email to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

20/12/2025

🦋🌞 Another fantastic week with my superstars 🌞🦋

19/12/2025

🦋🌞Active listening 101 for parents of teens 🌞🦋

Want to strengthen your bond with your teenager and help them feel heard? Try these active listening tips:

1️⃣ Give them your undivided attention. Leave your phone aside and make eye contact. Don't be half doing those jobs that can wait until later.

2️⃣ Avoid interrupting. Let them share their thoughts without cutting in. Don't be already thinking of your response to what they're saying.

3️⃣ Show empathy. Put yourself in their shoes and try to understand their perspective. Make sure you don't make them feel belittled by sharing that you've had a worse time/experience though.

4️⃣ Paraphrase and reflect. Repeat back what you've heard to show you're paying attention. This often results in them opening up further.

5️⃣ Validate their feelings. Let them know their emotions are normal and valid, do not dismiss them with statements like 'you don't need to worry about that", or "you're just being sensitive"

By actively listening, you can build trust, resolve conflicts, and help your teen feel seen and heard. I highly recommend putting an hour a week aside where you tell them it's their time to brain dump and chat things through, no phones, no TV, no distractions, just actively listening.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

"

18/12/2025

🦋🌞Get to know me a little better 🌞🦋

What qualifications do you have?

I am a qualified teacher and still work in a secondary school 3 days a week teaching Design technology, Food and nutrition and Child development at GCSE level.

I am a level 4 child and adolescent mental health coach and have my level 5 advanced child relaxation techniques qualification and level 5 parent coach. I am also a level 3 emotional literacy mentor. I am a qualified counsellor too.

What made you decide to be a mental health coach?

When my own daughter was having issues with her behaviour at home, we sought a coach to help us, which opened my eyes to a better way of parenting and teaching. It gave me such a great understanding and I realised how interesting I found the knowledge. I signed up to the Dandelion training course which our coach Nicky ran and haven't looked back since.

Do you like teaching or coaching best?

I genuinely can't pick between the two. Lots of people ask if I'll leave teaching to coach full time and the answer is no, I'd miss teaching too much. I absolutely love them both and can't believe how lucky I am to get to do both.

What do you do in your spare time?

When I'm not working in my two roles, planning sessions and lessons, making resources and marking, I love crafting, exploring nature with my family on walks, camping, making sure I get my 10,000 steps every day, cooking with my girls, pub quizzes with friends and of course learning all about the brain and behaviour!

I'm very much a night owl, so you'll often find me up late coming up with ideas. I'm great at multitasking and am very organised, so I achieve a lot in my day.

Do you have any children?

Yes I have 2 girls, one in primary school and the other in secondary school. My eldest is on the pathway for neurological assessment, after our coach suggested there may be a neurodivergence behind her behaviour.

Can you diagnose a neurodivergence?

No, I do not have a psychology degree, so I am not qualified to give a diagnosis. However my years of experience and training have afforded me enough knowledge to spot traits which would warrant a referral. I am able to write a letter of recommendation to your GP with my thoughts and ask for a referral to be made.

Are you a therapist?

No, this is a common word to call me, but I'm not. However the techniques I learnt on my level 5 course are therapeutic and it can feel very much like a therapy session. Many clients have told me they have felt as if they have had therapy!

Where do you live?

I am based in Crawley, West Sussex and work out of my garden room called 'Safe Spaces HQ'. I do also travel for some clients, so charge a little extra for this.

Are you accredited and insured?

Yes I am a senior accredited member of the ACCPH and listed on their website. I am insured with Holistic insurance for my coaching work.

I also hold an enhanced DBS, as you would expect because I'm a teacher too!

What's your favourite food?

My students ask me this a lot in my food and nutrition lessons, I love Chinese food and pizza. I also love chocolate and drink far too much diet coke! I always have one on the go on my desk at school, or between clients!

Have you always lived in Crawley?

No, originally I grew up in Dorset with my two brothers and sister, all younger than me. I went to Uni in Brighton to do my teaching degree and stayed in Sussex as I got a teaching job here. I'm still in that same school - I'm not a fan of change!

Feel free to ask me anything else you'd like to know in the comments and for more specific coaching FAQs you can visit my website http://safe-spaces.square.site

17/12/2025

🦋🌞Be mindful of the need for transition time🌞🦋

This is another phenomena that we've had to get used to and build into our household. Again as with the big occasions it's not something we considered needing to do. The holidays are fun and relaxing right?

What we mean by transition time is the fact that a strong routine has been formed during term time, to get up at a regular time, into their uniform and begin a structured day. Something which a lot of children actually crave.

When school holidays arrive, routine could fly out the window, which can make some children very unsettled. This can make them anxious as they don't know what to expect. Couple that with probably later nights and more treats and you have some dysregulated children on your hands.

So what can you do about it? We're very mindful of the need to transition into a new routine and try our best to be even more patient with the grumps that come at the start (and end as they have to transition back again!).

We make sure the plan for the week is written down and agreed with everyone, with plenty of down time for regulation activities - literally written as such on the plan.

We discuss feelings and acknowledge and accept that it's ok to feel sad about missing friends and routine, but also think about the positives of being off, and reverse that for going back!

So this school holidays try and be mindful of this with your own child. For more information about coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit my website http://safe-spaces.square.site

17/12/2025

🦋🌞Take time to pause🌞🦋

Sometimes I enjoy just sitting quietly in the lounge when everyone is in bed, just pausing and enjoying the lights and peace.

I don't know about you but I find December overwhelming at times, the mental load is crazy with so many things to remember. I have said a number of times, it will be nothing short of a miracle if I get to Christmas day without dropping the ball somewhere along the line!

So I make sure I take time to pause and let the lovely feeling of Christmas sink in, otherwise there is a real danger Christmas day races upon us and is over in a flash without enjoying any of the lead up to it.

I challenge you all to try and take a pause moment each day to see the Glimmers and let the magical feelings really sink in and therefore actually enjoy the festive season ourselves!

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com, or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

16/12/2025

🦋🌞A great way to look at fear 🌞🦋

I love finding new ways to explain things to my superstars, to make them see their issues in a different light and empower them to take back control of those big feelings.

Fear is a big one that dominates so many young lives and often they don't even know why. This simple explanation shows them that often our fears are completely unfounded and aren't worth the time they're being given.

We break down those fears to see what evidence there is that they're real and what is more likely to be the outcome. A very powerful tool.

For more information about 1:1 coaching drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

16/12/2025

🦋🌞 January is nearly full🌞🦋

**edit, only 1 left now**

For those of you who are newer followers and weren't aware, I am a secondary school teacher 3 days a week as well as a therapeutic mental health coach. This means I can only offer 8 sessions per week, a mixture of daytime and evening slots.

My evening sessions tend to be the most popular and therefore get booked up quickly. I am also extremely fortunate to be working with some of my superstars long term, so 4 of those 8 sessions are booked on a longer term basis.

January is already nearly full, so if you were thinking of booking more sessions, or your first, please don't hesitate, as I wouldn't want you to miss out.

For more information about 1:1 coaching for you or your child drop me a message to sam.safespaces@gmail.com or visit http://safe-spaces.square.site

Safe Spaces with Sam

23/12/2025

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