Sparkle Team Member: Laura Elizabeth Helliwell

We're really happy to introduce a new member of our Sparkle Team: Laura Elizabeth Helliwell! Some of you may have met Laura, who has joined the team at several events recently. From now on, she'll be working closely with Sparkle, and in the coming weeks will be offering One-to-One sessions for our parents! (More about that at the end of this post).

Here is Laura's biography to help you learn about the invaluable services and qualities she will be able to provide as a member of the Sparkle Team:

Laura has worked with children and adults with special needs for over 10 years. Laura has a degree in Psychology with Linguistics and has specialised in working with those on the autism spectrum. She has experience of working with children and adults with special educational needs, learning and physical disabilities and those with emotional and behavioural difficulties and additional mental health needs.

Laura was born in Sheffield but moved to London after finishing her studies, where she worked as an ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) Therapist for children with ASD in school and home settings. Laura has most recently worked as an Employability Coordinator for a London charity called CareTrade, who help young adults with autism into employment through mentoring and work based placements. Laura has also worked as a social care worker in a home for adults with physical disabilities providing personal care and support. 

As a student Laura volunteered in a number of mainstream and SEN schools as a classroom assistant. She has also worked as a befriender for The National Autistic Society and as a project volunteer for Autism Society Greater Manchester Area (ASGMA).

Laura has a recent DBS check, up-to-date safeguarding training and has attended a range of relevant training courses, including Team Teach training (in managing challenging behaviour) and has a certificate in Mental Health First Aid. She has a real passion and enthusiasm for working with and providing support for children and adults with autism and their families.

As we mentioned at the beginning of the post, Laura will soon be able to offer One-to-One sessions for Sparkle families to help parents learn skills and techniques to help with many areas of Autism. We've yet to finalise the details, but would like to invite you to register your interest by sending an email to info@sparklesheffield.co.uk or get in touch via our Facebook page.

To learn even more about Laura's professional experience, we really advise you to head over to her blog, A Little Piece of Me, which includes more information about her work with both adults and children on the Autism Spectrum, and insightful articles. Some of Laura's articles will be published exclusively on our Sparkle App! Be sure to check them out over the next few weeks!