Our Mission
Our children are being let down – 1 in 4 young people who were referred to mental health services in the UK in 2019 didn’t receive the support they needed because some children just don’t fit specific criterial, are not yet clinically significant or are unable to articulate their needs to get the help that they deserve.
At present, early intervention is crucial; with stretched NHS services, long waiting times and a Government that is failing to invest in quality mental heath provision, children are forced to face feelings of desperation, isolation, anxiety and fear without support when they need it and that is not OK!
Search our website to find out about how we support children and families in crisis using our three tier support process, how we support children in schools across Solihull and beyond and what we can provide FREE to schools in the local area!
Meet The Team
Katie Washbourne
The Founder and CEO
Hi My name is Katie Washbourne, thank you for taking the time to come and meet us all here at Ordinary Magic.
We all face adversity at some point in our lives and over the last 11 years I have worked for various organisations with people who were in crisis or were struggling to manage their emotions. During my professional career I have provided support to children, parents, families and professionals in the areas of:
- Death (Pre and post bereavement support due to natural cause or murder)
- Terrorist Attacks
- Disability
- Carers
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low Confidence
- Offending – Youth and adult offenders
- Parental/ Family Seperation
- Financial Worries
- Abuse (Emotional, physical, neglect and financial)
- Alcohol and drug dependency
Whilst doing this work I developed a curiosity about why some people ‘bounce back’ from adversity and others find it complicated. Using this curiosity I set about to support creating ‘bouncy’ human beings. Using my specialist knowledge, research, professional background and passion for supporting people to be able to overcome adversities, I created Ordinary Magic!
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Michelle O’Connor
Director
Hi My name is Michelle O’Connor and I work alongside Katie managing Ordinary Magic.
I am a fully qualified Trained Social Worker and for 8 years I worked in an Independent Fostering Agency, supporting Looked After Children and foster families in their journey of fostering. During my professional career as a Social worker I have had to provide support to many children who have faced extreme abuse, trauma and neglect, as well as supporting those who foster in managing the transition children take into and out of their homes. Many of the children who I have supported have also presented with a range of challenging behaviours, such as self-harm, anxiety and social withdrawal. I have also had extensive experience working within various schools across the borough in a caring capacity.
I joined Katie in January 2020 and love working so closely with children, supporting their wellbeing and mental health journey.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Amy Field
Hi My name is Amy Field and I work as Ordinary Magic’s Child and Family Well being Operations Manager. I support the CIC with all things HR and Admin.
I have worked as a Family Support Worker for the past 10 years, providing support for families who are struggling with many different difficulties. Support around substance misuse, abuse, exploitation, relationship breakdown, financial difficulties, SEN and working in partnership with multiple agencies. Previous to this I was a Children’s Centre Support worker, as well as working in daycare settings. All the positions I have had during my working career have been Child focused which is why I love what Ordinary Magic is about. I have 14 years experience supporting children, young people and families and hoping to have a positive impact.
I have 3 children of my own and in an ever changing world I have a real passion for trying to help them and others navigate their way through life. I am passionate about supporting children to have positive early childhood experiences and love being a part of making a difference for individuals.
Catherine Lamb
Holiday Club Manager and Director
Hi my name is Catherine, and I am the Holiday Club Manager at Ordinary Magic. I have had broad experience in working in communities and with families, gained as a Youth and Community Worker, after graduating in Youth & Community Work, with Applied Theology from Cambridge Ridley Hall. My dissertation was on the relationships between the generations and whether intergenerational work was worth investing in, and since then I have been involved in several successful intergenerational projects. I have spent a lot of time within schools as a Chaplain working with the children, parents and staff as well as taking therapeutic drama group within local schools building self esteem, confidence and body awareness for participants. I have also had lots of experience running holiday clubs, nurture groups, and childcare as an assistant childminder in a busy childminders. I have also been the Co-Director of a small group of business and mainly co-ordinated the administration and project based work of the group. I understand what it means to be a busy mum and keep lots of balls juggling all at the same time, as I have a noisy and permanently hungry nine year old of my own!
Sarah Armes
Relaxation Coach & Nurture Group Leader
Hi My name is Sarah Armes and I work as a Relaxation Coach and am a Nurture Group Leader for Ordinary Magic.
I’ve spent many years as a primary school teacher working with children from age 3 upwards. I’ve worked in a variety of settings including preschool, nursery and primary schools. After having my son I returned to work as a Teaching assistant and trained as a Relaxation Coach. During this time I’ve learned a variety of techniques in mindfulness, relaxation and how to help children with their wellbeing helping them to promote their self esteem and confidence. This is something I am passionate about and have enjoyed immensely as I believe this is a much needed service in society today. I now work for Ordinary Magic running wellbeing nurture group sessions within Schools, in and around the borough.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me
Clare Taylor
Senior Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Hi, my name is Clare Taylor and I am a wellbeing practitioner for Ordinary Magic. I have many years experience supporting our little people that need it the most. I work within schools supporting various needs – social, emotional and wellbeing, specialising in Autism (ASD). Within my school roles I work with children, guiding teachers and support staff to help gain positive outcomes for individual needs.
My day to day is always about building positive and trusting relationships with all parents, staff and especially the children.
I also support children 1:1 within their home environments for their individual needs. My role is always varied and each day I am still learning.
I love working with children and I am very passionate and dedicated to my role. I am a very calm and patient person that always enjoys being part of making a difference.
Sarah Newman
Senior Child Wellbeing Practitioner & Holiday Club Deputy Manager
Hi, my name is Sarah Newman and I am a Senior Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner for Ordinary Magic, as well as Holiday Club Deputy Manager. I have built up a vast amount of experience working with children from birth up to 18years throughout my career so far, and I continue to learn, grow and support those most in need. I work within schools supporting various needs – social, emotional mental health, and specialising in Autism (ASD) and Behaviour support. I believe in there always been a reason for behaviour and I always make it my personal mission to help and support with this in order for every child to achieve the best outcomes! Within my school roles I work with children, guiding teachers and support staff to help gain positive outcomes for individual needs and creating strategies for supporting the important earlier help. I also support children 1:1 within their home environments, and encourage positive relationships in working together.
I thrive in working and supporting all children and I am very passionate and dedicated to my role.
One of my favourite quotes I would like to share with you…..
” Every child is a different kind of flower … that all together makes this world a beautiful Garden”.
Please take a look around and if you would like to chat further or have any questions for me, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Hema Patel
Therapist
Hi, my name is Hema Patel and I am a qualified Integrative Counselling Psychotherapist working with both adults, children and families. My background in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry as well as 18 years in the NHS have driven me to seek an alternative answer to the systemic pains felt through the non-verbal discomforts that cause stress, loneliness, low self-esteem, depression, social anxiety, peer pressure, negative body image and other emotional and behavioural discomforts faced by society today. As a student of Attachment Theory and Transactional Analysis, I use an integrative approach to my practice which means I draw on different psychological theories and skills allowing for flexibility and a more tailored approach to the needs of my clients.
In my work, I have found that there is no one “type” of person that I work with, from young adults to mature people of any age the impact of searching for an answer to our mental health needs affects us all. I believe Mental Health is unique to the person experiencing it therefore for an effective and sustainable change to occur I believe a whole person approach is required.
In my role at Ordinary Magic, I work with both children and families to first understand the difficulties they are facing and secondly put a more manageable plan in place through psychoeducation and collaborative work with the school. I believe, that by removing the barrier to mental health, the child has the space to learn and develop fulfilling their true potential and have a better understanding of their own self-awareness and be able to change negative patterns of behaviour to positive ones.
My special interest is in the field of bereavement, loss, and grief which I believe is relevant to all aspects of mental health today impacting young minds through loss of self, loss of identity, loss of family, loss of structure, and loss of stability and loss of self-esteem. Having carried out this role in various organisations I hope to bring these skills to my clients at Ordinary Magic helping young minds see that the whirlpool of loss once anchored can be navigated to a safer place.
Sarah Marshall
Play Therapist
Hi I’m Sarah Marshall.
After working as a primary school teacher for 25 years I decided to develop my skills further and in 2018 began to train as a play therapist with PTUK and Leeds Beckett University.
I am now a Registered Play Therapist and have completed over 600 clinical hours of play therapy practice with children aged between 3 and 11 with a wide variety of needs. I am undertaking further training to qualify as a Filial Play Coach and a Integrative Sand-Play Therapist.
I have always been passionate about the well-being of children, especially those who sometimes find school a challenging place. I love working with parents as they manage the rewarding but often difficult job of nurturing their children. I value connection and team work and am excited to be part of this amazing work.
As a primary school teacher I know very well the many challenges that face teachers today and I really enjoy working in the school setting to support teachers and children in working through and overcoming their difficulties. And I love to play!
I am a mum to three children who are all grown up, a vicar’s wife and a parenting facilitator, and I’m crazy about crochet!
Karen Knapp
Play Therapist
Hi, my name is Karen Knapp and began working in partnership with Ordinary Magic in Spring 2023 as an Integrative Arts Play Therapist. I am working within mainstream and special schools supporting children with varied needs.
I began work as a special needs teacher, working within a special school setting, helping children to develop skills within personalised curriculum. After my own children were born, I decided to work in a Teaching Assistant capacity in a mainstream school. This gave me the opportunity to teach and support individuals and groups with specific needs, as well as whole class support.
I completed my Play Therapy training in 2022 and I am accredited by and registered with PTUK. I am committed to ongoing professional development and in summer 2023 will be furthering my knowledge of working with Trauma in the play therapy setting. Within the playroom I am there to help the child to explore their own feelings and difficulties. Children can struggle to find the words to explain how they feel, and some difficulties arise when they are themselves pre-verbal, so they would have no words to talk about how they feel. Play is a natural medium of self-expression and resolution can be found through it.
Tracey Galonis
Play Therapist
Hi, I’m Tracey Galonis and I’m a qualified Play Therapist. I enjoy and celebrate being part of the proactive, multidisciplinary team here at Ordinary Magic.
I’ve worked for over ten years in schools supporting children and young people whose lives haven’t always followed the path they expected or wanted. Play Therapy has allowed me to use a non-judgemental, fun, creative approach which helped children find their voice in a world around them which, at times, can be confusing and challenging.
Over the years I have always had good communication links with parents and teaching staff and have loved getting to know them and their views on the children. Needless to say, I’m passionate about my job! My future goal in 2024 is to increase my own knowledge and specialism of Sand Tray Therapy.
When I’m not working, I am the proud mother of two boys who have grown far too quickly into men, who now relish reminding me of how short I suddenly seem to be.
Bellina Hunjan
Health and Wellbeing Co-Ordinator
Hi, my name is Bellina Hunjan, I am the health and wellbeing co-ordinator and I’m honoured to be a part of the Ordinary Magic team!
I hold an undergraduate degree in BSc Psychology from the University of Reading, and I’m currently in the final months of completing my Psychoanalysis Masters at The Tavistock and Portman in London—a renowned psychoanalytical institute. My focus within this program is on children and adolescence, reflecting my deep commitment to understanding and supporting their mental well-being.
With over 5 years of experience in the mental health field, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles, including CAMHS MH practitioner, assistant psychologist, support worker, and other mental health assistant positions. Throughout my career, my dedication has consistently revolved around the mental health of children and adolescents. It’s this shared commitment that drew me to the extraordinary work that Ordinary Magic does for children.
In my role, I have provided vital support to children, parents, and families dealing with a spectrum of challenges, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideations, and self-harm. I have extensive experience in addressing trauma (emotional, physical, financial and neglect), intergenerational trauma/difficulties, as well as navigating the complexities of divorce and parental separation. A significant aspect of my work involves therapeutic intervention, anxiety and stress management.
Beyond my current endeavours, my goal is to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology in the future, further deepening my understanding and ability to contribute to the mental well-being of those I work with.
My approach is rooted in kindness, compassion, and a genuine love for working with children. I believe in creating a nurturing environment where children feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions. A perpetual optimist, I carry a smile that reflects my passion for helping children grow and providing them with the support they need to overcome challenges.
I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the children at Ordinary Magic and look forward to making a positive impact on their journey to growth and resilience.
