Our Team

BA (Hons) in Theatre, MA in Dramatherapy

Alice Human has always been passionate about working with children and young people in a holistic, creative and inclusive way. She comes from a family which fosters, where she met a variety of children from different backgrounds and started working in education by leading summer play schemes as a teenager. Alice studied Theatre and Sonic Arts practices at Dartington College of Arts, and from early on in her studies decided to combine her passion for the arts, in particular theatre, music and singing, with that for education, for example with a practical module focusing on Reggio Emilia practice.

She first started at The Red House in 2014 and worked alongside several children as a Learning Support practitioner, which led her to develop her expertise in working with children and young people with learning differences and sensory issues, including profound and multiple disabilities and emotional and behavioural challenges. She is also a theatre maker, musician and vocalist for various projects and collaborations including with Emmy the harp, who has visited The Red House to collaborate on music and movement projects.

Alice finished her studies in Dramatherapy in 2018, supported in her second year placement by the Red House team. She continues to write theatre pieces, perform music and collaborate with various Bristol-based artists. Alongside her work at The Red House, she now works as a private practitioner with people of all ages offering drama-based talking therapy, with a particular focus on people exploring their gender and sexuality.

BSc Sociology, MSc Social Work

Charlotte has been interested in working in Early Years since completing work experience placements as a teenager, and volunteering for a charity that supports children with disabilities and their families. Since then Charlotte has spent time working in a Bristol secondary school, supporting children who found literacy challenging. Charlotte also worked as a Family Support Practitioner with Action for Children in her MSc placement. This involved working with families at the risk of Social Care involvement and supporting the running of a separated parents information programme. Charlotte also worked as part of a study by University of Bristol into obesity prevention in Early Years. Since qualifying as a Social Worker, Charlotte worked in Adult Social Care before deciding that her passion lay in Early Years. Charlotte joined The Red House in March 2018.

Dave lives locally and has been regularly volunteering at The Red House for over 30 years – almost from the day that the Nursery first opened. Dave has particular responsibilities for helping children, preparing the Nursery lunch times and overseeing the provision of resources. This includes helping children mix and replenish paint, preparing paper for children to use and ensuring that there is always sufficient sand and clay available. Dave takes an important role in all outside activities, too. In addition Dave takes responsibility for organising stock deliveries. Dave joined The Red House in 1988.

BA (Hons) in Media Practice, PGCE in Early Years

Farah graduated in 2014 with a BA (hons) in Media Practice from University of the West of England. Farah’s interest in working with children started whilst working as a customer service advisor where she had to cover in a soft play area in Bath. She enjoyed it so much that she then started volunteering for a private company that runs after school clubs for young children whilst she worked full time. Her passion for working with children grew, as she wanted to make more of an impact on children’s lives. In 2017 Farah moved to Bristol to start her journey in gaining experience and knowledge in Early Years educational setting. She has done agency work, which allowed her to work in many different nurseries, picking up various skills and valuable experiences along the way. She hopes to amass a broad range of experiences working with early years as well as knowledge of the most effective type of pedagogy through study and practice gained in educational practice at The Red House. Farah completed her PGCE with a placement at St Barnabas’ Primary School in 2012, and has since worked as a tutor with a child with Special educational needs.

Post Graduate Diploma In Playwork and Leadership. BA (Hons) in Education and Psychology. Level 3 Diploma in Playwork.

Helen graduated in June 2005 with a BA (Hons) in Education and Psychology from Cardiff University. Helen’s administrative experience within educational settings includes extensive work in the City of Westminster College London and in Bristol Secondary Schools. Her teaching experiences include working as a Classroom Assistant for Kumon, a programme which involved supervising Maths and English for Primary School aged children. Helen joined The Red House in April 2006 with responsibilities for the organisation of administration related to children and families and their access to care and education at The Red House. In 2009 Helen was awarded a CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Playwork and undertook the leadership of the Out of School Provision at The Red House by becoming Playleader whilst remaining in the Administrative role. In addition Helen has completed a counseling course for children and adults and achieved a CWDC Post Graduate award in Management and Leadership of Integrated Services in Playwork through the University of the West of England. Helen joined The Red House in April 2006.

BA (Hons) Early childhood, PGCE

India started working at The Red House in 2001 while studying for her NVQ level 3 in Early Years. She continued until she went travelling and returned to The Red House two years later to take on the new role of Play Leader in the out of school provision, while completing a Level 3 qualification in Playwork. She decided to train as a Primary Teacher and started her studies obtaining a Foundation Degree in Early Years, all the while working as Play Leader and Early Years Practitioner at The Red House. India left the Red House to complete her degree in Early Childhood Studies at UWE while working as a Teaching Assistant in a Reception class. This then led to India studying for her PGCE in Early Primary Teaching. After her PGCE, India started her first teaching role at a dyslexia School with children aged 7-11. In 2013, she left this role to pursue other ventures, working part time as a nanny alongside starting a small business. In 2023, India decided it was time for her to return to work after time dedicated to her children, and was able to re-join The Red House, going back to her roots in Early Years education.

BA Hons (First Class) Education in Professional practice

Jake graduated in July 2014 and achieved a first in his BA (Hons) Education in Professional Practice from the University West of England. During his final year Jake completed his dissertation with research into children’s and adults’ attitudes to gender. Jake has worked in varying roles and in different areas across the nursery environment. Jake has two young sons and is also a registered and practicing foster carer. Through fostering Jake has attended a number of courses specializing in theories of children’s emotional development and attachment. Jake is very interested in sport and fitness and plays a significant part in role modeling an active lifestyle to the children. In 2005 Jake completed a Diploma in Personal Training and Fitness Instruction and worked for two years as a Personal Trainer. Jake joined The Red House in February 2011.

Foundation year in Art, NVQ Level 3 in Childcare

Jemma has had an interest in working with children since completing work experience in a nursery whilst at secondary school. She also has a keen interest in Art and Design which led to her studying Textiles Design at university, as well as enjoying a variety of creative activities in her spare time.

Jemma completed her NVQ Level 3 childcare qualification in 2008 whilst working in a nursery in Shropshire. She has then gone on to work in a variety of nurseries, Pre-schools and Primary schools, primarily providing one-to-one care to children with additional needs, while developing excellent skills as a general practitioner.

Jemma is passionate about providing children with opportunities to grow through guidance, nurture and encouragement, with the freedom to learn about the world around them through play and exploration. Jemma has worked at the Red House since 2022.

M.Ed in Educational technology, MA in International Education, PGCE Early Years, BSc (Hons) Psychology

Juliet has over 30 years’ experience working with young children in several different countries. She graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Psychology, and then completed a PGCE in Early Years. She has taught at preschools and nurseries in Australia, Japan and Mexico. In Mexico she taught Reception-age bilingual children at a large international school in Guadalajara, later becoming a teacher-librarian and administrator of the school’s libraries. During this time she studied a Masters in International education and another in Educational technology, both through American universities. Since moving to Bristol, Juliet has worked as a supply teacher in Reception classes at various schools throughout the city. Juliet joined The Red House in February 2018.

City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2, Certificated by Hotel and Catering International Management Association, Certificate of Royal Institute for Public Health and Hygiene

Lloyd qualified as a chef with a four-year course at Brunel Technical College, where he gained the City and Guilds 706/1 and 706/2. He has also qualified in Design and Decoration in Flour Confectionary. His other qualifications include part A of the HCIMA and a certificate from the Royal Institute for Public Health and Hygiene. Lloyd has worked in catering for over 30 years across schools, care homes, industrial premises such as BA and the MOD, and hotels including The Marriot in Bristol and The Mercure in Gloucester.

In his spare time, Lloyd plays the piano and is currently studying with the Open University for a degree in Humanities.

Lloyd joined the Red House in August 2020. He chose to work at the Red House because he feels he has plenty to offer when it comes to globally-influenced cooking. In offering choices to the children, he hopes they will go on to develop a national and international palate which may stay with them throughout their lives.

P.G.C.E (Early Years) BA Hons, NA for SEN

Lorna has worked with children and families ever since leaving school. She is a qualified Nursery Nurse and worked as a Nanny, a Classroom Assistant, a Pre School Supervisor and in a Romanian orphanage before returning to study in 2002. In 2005 Lorna achieved a First Class Honours degree in Early Childhood Studies and became involved in family support work within Children’s Centres. She subsequently decided to train to become a teacher and studied for a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Early Years) at Bath Spa University. Lorna has seven years teaching experience and has worked within schools in the Somerset area. Alongside teaching full-time she also gained the National Award for Special Educational Needs, a Masters level qualification to assist her role as Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) alongside classroom-based teaching. Lorna was also an approved Foster Carer for the Somerset Local Authority for eight years. Lorna Joined The Red House in March 2018.

B. Ed (Hons) EYPS, BTEC Nat Dip in Caring Services (Nursery Nursing), CACHE Advance Practice in Working with Babies

Louise began her childcare and education career in 1989 and qualified as a Nursery Nurse in 1992. Louise also studied Primary Education, majoring in Art, and taught English as a Foreign Language in Austria. After graduating, Louise taught at various schools in South Wales, mainly nursery classes as well as coordinating and teaching a 'Creative Science' module in a FE college and mentoring students on placements. During summer vacations Louise worked as a freelance nanny in South Wales and Majorca. In 2000 Louise relocated to Bristol and worked mainly in one setting until 2018. During this time she achieved distinction in Advanced Practice in Working with Babies and also achieved EYPS in 2008. Louise also participated in arts-based action research and set up a Reggio inspired art space. In 2014 she also helped set up a new sister nursery in Keynsham where she ran the after-school club and inducted new staff. Louise has experience of mentoring childcare students and management of a nursery. In February 2019, she worked at The Red House as agency cover and was astounded by how child-focused, innovative and homely The Red House is. Louise is very knowledgeable and passionate about play, engagement and interacting with children. She loves to create and provide open-ended sensory experiences and resources that ignite curiosity and sustain thinking. Louise's Early Years passions are emergent writing, mathematical play and schematic play. Louise joined The Red House team in March 2019.

BA (Hons) Early Childhood – in progress

Luke discovered how much he enjoys working with children while working for several years as a children's event and party entertainer, where he would organize games and act out sketches. He worked in this role at festivals, an adventure park and with a touring theatre company. It led him to choose to pursue a career in Early Years education. He worked as an agency classroom assistant in a number of different settings, securing a six-month contract at one school. Luke is now in his second year of a foundation degree in Early Childhood at UWE and finds alternating study and educational practice very insightful and rewarding.

BA, Qualified Teacher Status (Q.T.S), B.Ed Hons (Special Ed). M.Ed by research (Early Years Intervention)

The Red House Children’s Centre was founded by Maggie and her husband, Neville in 1988. Maggie trained as a teacher at Worcester College of Higher Education, specialising in Early Years and Laban Art of Movement. Following her interest in Special Needs, Maggie gained a further Professional Studies Certificate in Children with Learning Difficulties and an Advanced Certificate in Children with Behaviour Difficulties. Maggie taught Movement and Dance on adult courses, Professional Development courses for Teachers in Bristol and nationally. The courses were linked to all areas of Education including Special Needs and Initial Training of Teachers. She also taught movement at the then Nursery Nurses College and Kingsweston Special School. Maggie was Deputy Head Teacher and then Head Teacher of Baptists Mills Infant and Nursery School (Millpond St) and Head Teacher of Doncaster Road Infant and Nursery School (Badock Wood School). During a year’s secondment she gained a First Class Hons. degree in Special Educational Needs and a Masters Degree researching Pre-School Intervention in the Early Years at Cardiff University. After leaving Doncaster Road, Maggie lectured at St Mary College, Cheltenham, training teachers in Early Years and Special Educational Needs. Working as a Research Associate in Movement Education at Bristol Polytechnic Faculty of Education, Maggie became a Senior Lecturer on the PGCE primary course. She was appointed as Director of the Post Graduate Primary Course and Director of Initial Teacher Primary Education. She also ran in-service courses for serving teachers. Publications include Concorde film ’A matter of Confidence’ and a chapter, ‘Creativity’, in Upton, G, ed. Special Educational Need. Maggie became a founder member of the Bristol Early Years Partnership and trained and worked as an Ofsted Early Years Inspector.

BA Hons in Philosophy and Humanities, PGCE BA Hons (First Class), Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Marco started his career with children volunteering as a play worker for an Italian independent charity promoting Children’s Rights in deprived areas, while studying for his Philosophy Degree. He decided to study for a PGCE at the same time, and, once he’d obtained a BA (First Class Honours), he started to pursue this interest professionally, working as an educator with unaccompanied migrant minors, and then with children and adolescents from ROMA gipsy communities for ten years. These two experiences shaped his professional identity around multi-agency work and the complex needs of children and families from deprived and multi-lingual contexts. Meanwhile, he started working in Early Years settings for the same organisation, still focusing on Inclusion and Special Needs, but developing an interest that began with his experience as a father of three children. Marco moved to the UK in the winter of 2013, and, after a brief experience in Waldorf education, worked as a Family Support Team Leader at St Pauls’ Nursery School and Children’s Centre, before gaining recognition of his QTS status, and then as a Specialist Teacher for children with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities at Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery School, where he collaborated within a multi-agency team with OTs, Physiotherapists, Educational Psychologists in an Inclusive Early Years setting. Marco joined The Red House in April 2018.

Bsc (Hons) Psychology

Marisol is a Psychology graduate from Konrad Lorenz University in Bogotá, Colombia. Her commitment to the field of child development studies and education began when she seized the opportunity to work with children in care during her psychology internship. Following that experience, Marisol embarked on a fulfilling career as a children's therapist and clinical supervisor, specializing in children with special needs and their families within a healthcare organization for three years. Her collaboration with a diverse team of professionals, including Psychologists, OTs, Physiotherapists, Speech Therapists, and Specialist Teachers, allowed her to develop holistic and tailored approaches to care. Simultaneously, Marisol taught a module on child development to undergraduate students at her university in Bogotá.

In 2012, Marisol relocated to the UK, initially working as a nanny, before commencing her postgraduate studies at the University of Leicester. Here, she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant to both undergraduate and master's students within the Critical Management School. In 2020, Marisol embarked on a new adventure in Bristol, immersing herself in early years educational settings. Her diverse experiences include agency work, affording her the opportunity to contribute to various nurseries and primary schools. These experiences have further solidified her commitment to exploring innovative teaching and learning methods, ensuring that every child's unique potential is realised. Her genuine compassion for children and their environment has been the driving force behind her career and research pursuits. Marisol joined The Red House in 2021.

CACHE level 1 in Children‘s Care Learning development & BTEC 1st Diploma Children's Care Learning Development level 2

Nasima has worked with children since 2007, when completing a CACHE level 1 included placements in primary, nursery and reception classes. Nasima worked in schools for eighteen months; at the same time she registered with an agency and worked with many settings between March 2007 and May 2013. Nasima has also worked across Manchester and Stockport in primary schools, pre-schools and day care centres, as a nursery nurse, child care, crèche and a Teaching Assistant before taking on a permanent position at a primary school. Nasima also worked in the Chinese Women's Society as a crèche worker from June 2008 to May 2010. In August 2014, Nasima moved to Bristol to be closer to family and secured a part-time position in a Bristol primary school. Nasima has three boys of her own and the experience of motherhood has been challenging yet very rewarding, and has only increased her passion for working with other children.

BTEC Health and Social care level 3

Natasha Mullen is working as a practitioner for The Red House having previously volunteered with us while at Sixth Form. She completed an apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching and Learning in a local primary school, where she gained lots of useful knowledge and experience in looking after young children within the foundation stage. There she supported the classroom teacher in taking the children to Forest School, created supportive materials, and provided one-to-one support. Whilst completing her studies, Natasha volunteered on a regular basis at numerous Bristol nurseries, where she gained invaluable experience for working with children aged from six months to school age. Natasha joined The Red House in 2018.

BTEC Information Technology level 3

When Robert was a child, he attended The Red House, and now he is back working as an Early Years Practitioner. Between then and now, for the longest time, he wanted to work with computers whilst also following his passion for fencing. Over time, it was pointed out by friends and family that he had good communication skills with children. Robert started coaching children within his fencing group and has now been a coach for almost nine years (and he is still enjoying it). Before working at The Red House, Robert worked in customer support and retail. He joined The Red House at the beginning of 2023, and ever since, in his words, he ‘has never been happier to come to work’. Apart from internal continued professional development at the Red House, we are looking at what are the best options for Robert to work towards an Early Years qualification.

Rose first joined The Red House in 2019, and that experience led her to start her journey in education, She has worked as a nanny with several families in Bristol, while also teaching circus and theatre skills to children of different ages. She has experience of working with neurodiverse children, and with children presenting challenging behaviours, and would like to develop her interest in child psychology at a later date. Rose rejoined The Red House in February 2024, and recently completed her Level 6 Qualification in Early Childhood Studies at Bath Spa University, with a dissertation about dyslexia.

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood

Sarah has worked with young children and families ever since leaving school. She first volunteered providing respite care for a family with a child with Down Syndrome. After completing Health and Social Care and Textiles for A levels, Sarah studied Education and Early childhood studies at the University of the West of England, graduating with a 2:1. Sarah began her career in education at The Red House in 2007, and has been working here, across different roles, ever since. Her three children attended The Red House alongside her.

Tim joined the Red House team in 2022, taking responsibility for the management and maintenance of our wonderful building, as well as providing IT support for the team. Tim previously trained as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and worked professionally as an actor and musician before switching to TV Post Production and IT in the late ‘90s. He still works occasionally in TV and recently edited the BBC ‘Moodboosters’ series of films advocating mindfulness and wellbeing for children. Tim is also a qualified meditation trainer/facilitator. He brings with him a background in business management as a Company Director since 2003.

Willyna discovered the early childhood sector by chance, in Year 10, during a short work experience. She felt very interested and enthusiastic about it and she naturally kept expanding her experience by offering some of her services to families (childcare) alongside her school years. Moreover, she pursued her attraction to languages by doing an English degree with International studies as a minor, and arrived in Bristol in 2021 to complete the latter. Since 2022, she has been working in Early Years settings, which is a vocation that enables her to learn more about children as well as herself. She aims to polish her knowledge and obtain qualifications in order to bring the best care and practice to the workplace. Willyna joined The Red Houe staff in October 2023.