This is a community voice published in the Hereford Times on October 31.

Dr Vivian Norris, Family Place

POLLY was four and had already moved between five different foster homes before being adopted. She was bright and capable but she had experienced a lot of trauma, she couldn’t trust adults and always needed to be in control.

At the point that Polly was adopted it quickly became clear that her relationships with her new family were in serious difficulty.

She couldn’t follow instructions in any way, wouldn’t let her parents touch or comfort her and was in a state of hyper-vigilance all the time. Life was extremely difficult for the whole family.

The Family Place Foundation, based in Clyro, works with adopted, fostered and kinship care children and their families both locally and further afield.

A key part of the therapy they support is known as Theraplay®. Theraplay is a therapeutic intervention that is physical, personal and fun!

It aims to support healthy child and caregiver attachments and helps children and their carers to feel closer. It is perfect for younger children who are struggling.

Earlier this year, the Family Place Foundation received funding from the UK Government to offer Theraplay training to local early years practitioners.

These fully funded courses gave an introduction to Theraplay and enabled those who took part to begin using this effective play therapy with children in their care.

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Theraplay has changed the lives of Polly and her new family. It has given her and her mum new ways to be together by helping them have moments of connection and delight.

It’s also made it possible for them to cuddle and be close and has allowed Polly to feel safe enough to be able to follow her mum’s lead.

Without it, Polly’s mum says, “our family would have broken down”. Polly is now doing really well and enjoying life. To find out about what the foundation offers go to: thefamilyplacefoundation.co.uk