Welcome to Sunflower Space!

Sunflower Space creates a safe space for primary school-aged children, who may be experiencing difficulties at home or school. Children can talk freely about their feelings and emotions whilst engaged in the creative arts.

Does your child feel more anxious, angry or upset than usual?
A lot of children have been struggling more with their emotions and mental wellbeing ever since the pandemic began in 2020. It has been a difficult time for all, I can offer a supportive outlet for young children to improve their mental health, build up their resilience and self-esteem!
WHAT ​HAPPENS IN SUNFLOWER SPACE
Sunflower space is suitable for children who may not be able or possess the language to articulate their thoughts or emotions.  Their feelings may feel too big for them to convey verbally but allowing the child the space and use of the creative arts to find a means to communicate and shape their own narrative.

I will facilitate a safe,comfortable and welcoming space to put children at ease to undertake a creative process of their own choosing and pace in the hope they will feel secure enough to express and explore their emotional experience.  When a child is focussed in the creative process, the left side of the brain (responsible for creativity, imagination and abstract meaning) Is engaged and overrides the right side of the brain (responsible for logic, reasoning, reading and writing).  The use of metaphors allows the rehearsal of the possible and insert thinking between feeling and behaving.

I will employ Dan Hughes' PACE model (Play, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy). It is important to acknowledge all behaviours are a form of communication and decipher what the real issue is e.g. anxiety, low self esteem etc. I will actively listen without judgement so they know they have been heard, to hold them in positive regard (Carl Rogers) and to wholeheartedly empathise.
The Creative Arts can be a door to a relationship supporting the development of self-expression, listening skills, acceptance and a deeper level of understanding.

Services

Emotional Well-being

Hour long sessions designed to improve your child's emotional well-being using the arts.

Primary School Tutoring

Improving English and Math skills for primary school aged children.

Testimonials

 Sharon at Sunflower Space is highly skilled and we're so fortunate to have found her. Right away she knows how to put a young person at ease. She's really helped our child through a tough time; he went from reluctant in session 1 , to really excited about his play therapy sessions. He often talks about what he has learned and how it helps him, as well as educating us in how we can support him going forward. I work with children as does my partner; neither of us would hesitiate to recommend Sharon to any family where a child is experiencing anxiety. In his words; "She really helped me and it was fun..." Thank you so much for your help, Sharon 

Anonymous

 I find your 1 to 1 sessions really useful. They half my worries and make me feel happier. The sessions are very calming and help my mental state when I am sad or angry. You allow me to say my feelings when they are bottled up and you let me express my feelings in different ways when I don't want to talk. 

GT

 I find that these one to one sessions are very helpful and amazing. They make me worry less and make me feel happy. 

MN

 I like Sharon's 1 to 1 sessions because she is really nice to talk to and I know I can talk to her. She helps me realise that when I need help I can talk about my feelings. 

HT
  
ABOUT ME
My name is Sharon Murdoch and I am based in Bristol.   I have worked in education for over 20 years and gained a lot of varied experience of working with children.  In the last few years I have been more involved with children's wellbeing and mental health.  Incorporating my passion for Art and Design, I created my business to offer a space for children to explore and talk about their BIG feelings whilst being creative. I am currently studying for my masters in Play Therapy at the University of South Wales.

Contact

  • Downend, Bristol, UK