UK Accredited Trainers
Dr. Rebecca Nye rebecca.nye@ntlworld.com
Rebecca's research on children's spirituality (eg The Spirit of the Child, Hay and Nye 1998/2006) brought her into contact with Jerome Berryman and Godly Play, and led her to introducing Godly Play to the UK. She established the first Godly Play room and directed a 2 year project on Godly Play and Children's Spirituality at the Centre for Advanced Religious and Theological Studies, University of Cambridge. Rebecca's background is in developmental psychology (co-author of Psychology for Christian Ministry, Watts, Nye and Savage 2002), so her interest in Godly Play is part of a wider interest in faith development, approaches to religious education and pedagogy and the spirituality of teachers. Rebecca enjoys offering post-graduate supervision in these areas, giving talks and most of all enthusing others about Godly Play's potential for their contexts (aka training!). She has experience of using Godly Play with pre-schoolers, children in parish and school settings, theological students and bishops!
Revd Peter Privett peter.privett@yahoo.co.uk
Peter Privett - Peter is the International Regional Training Consultant for the UK, Europe and beyond
The North
Rachel Bainton (Newcastle upon Tyne) - rachel.bainton@blueyonder.co.uk
Rachel is (by profession) a Mechanical Engineer; her other passions include Godly Play. She is based in the parish of St. Mary, Monkseaton, where Godly Play "is spoken".
Mary Cooper (Newcastle upon Tyne) - cooper.mary@blueyonder.co.uk
Mary is a teacher of many years experience now semi-retired who uses Godly Play in schools and at her local church, also St Mary's Monkseaton. She also currently organises and delivers training for Godly Play North.
Heather Black (Middlesborough) - heather.black@trinitycentre.org
Heather is based in North Ormesby, an Urban Priority Area of Middlesbrough where children face many challenges. She has been involved in Godly Play since 2006, using Godly Play regularly both in church and local schools. The Godly Play Classroom at Holy Trinity Church, North Ormesby has become the base for the Tees Valley Godly Play Network, providing training and support to a growing number of people using Godly Play in the area.
South Yorkshire (and 'Central' England!)
Kathryn Lord (Sheffield) - kathrynlord22@gmail.com
Kathryn has set up a Godly Play room at St Stephen's Church in the inner city parish of Netherthorpe in Sheffield. She works with schools and churches, sharing stories and offering support and training.
The Midlands
Jenny Hyson (Oxford) - J.hyson@btinternet.com
Jenny was the Oxford Diocesan Children's Adviser for 13 years and developed Godly Play within the diocese. She now works for the local charity Seesaw, supporting bereaved children. Jenny continues to be a freelance Godly Play trainer.
London
Kate Finnegan - godlyplayandcgs@gmail.com
Kate is a member of a Roman Catholic lay community for evangelism. She uses Godly Play in a retreat centre in Brentwood, where she is developing regular, long-term prayer groups for children. She also uses Godly Play in schools, at Christian family conferences and as a tool for leading adults in prayer. Kate also uses Sofia Cavalletti's "Catechesis of the Good Shepherd" with 3 - 6 year olds, and is interested in the Montessori tradition behind Godly Play.
Stuart Lee - stuartlee73@blueyonder.co.uk
Stuart is an Anglican priest working in the Diocese of Southwark having previously worked in the theatre. He enjoys being alongside people as they grow spiritually through the Godly play tradition and uses it regularly in church and school settings. He is particularly interested in using Godly Play with adults as a way to nurture faith and deepen the spiritual life.
The East
Rebecca Nye - rebecca.nye@ntlworld.com
as above
The South
Carole Holmes (Guernsey) ch.cb@cwgsy.net
Carole is working to introduce Guernsey to Godly Play! A Methodist minister, Carole previously worked in North Yorkshire, where she developed Godly Play in an ecumenical context with groups of all ages.
The South-East
Sue North-Coombes sue@north-coombes.co.uk
Sue has been a FE lecturer, primary school teacher and youth and children's worker. She set up the Guildford Diocesan Godly Play classroom at Christchurch, Ottershaw and now works in developing its use in training for schools, churches and groups of all ages. She is keen to offer help and support for all those involved in Godly Play in the South East. She is happy to travel - so please feel free to contact her!
Scotland
Alex Mackenzie alex@godlyplayscotland.co.uk
Alex is based in Edinburgh and has set up the Godly Play room at Cramond Kirk. She is part of Godly Play Scotland, introducing and promoting Godly Play across Scotland, she is happy to help and support anyone involved in Godly Play. Alex is also happy to travel and Godly Play Scotland run Discovery Days all around the country. You can find details of these at www.GodlyPlayScotland.co.uk.