Play Therapists Needed For Greystones Primary Schools

Let the sunshine in…

atest press release from It Takes A Village, issued on Saturday, January 24th 2025…

The community-led initiative It Takes A Village (ITAV), in partnership with Greystones Family Resource Centre (GFRC), is delighted to announce that the Play Therapist Pilot Project to support the positive wellbeing of children in local primary schools is now looking ready to begin.

After two years of community campaigning and planning, the appointment of two play therapists was secured last July, marking a major milestone in the It Takes A Village wellbeing framework.

Borne out of urgent concerns from local primary school teachers regarding rising levels of anxiety in young children, It Takes A Village launched in May 2023. Eight primary schools came together to forge a strong support network for children, families, and educators across Greystones and Delgany. Spearheaded by Rachel Harper, Principal of St. Patrick’s National School, ITAV has placed children’s wellbeing at the heart of its mission, with the Play Therapist Pilot Project serving as its key first step.

It has been a long road getting the project set up but Greystones Family Resource Centre have now stepped in to provide clinical oversight and governance to ensure the best standard of care for children who take part. As the project supports children’s mental health, it is critical that practise is of the highest standard and a lot of work has taken place behind the scenes by the Family Resource Centre, It Take A Village, HSE and schools to ensure this high standard.

“We are thrilled to be in a position to support the It Takes A Village initiative,” said Lynne O’Connor, GFRC Coordinator. “Our experience shows the significant mental health challenges faced by children and the urgent need for accessible supports within local communities. This pilot is the first of its kind in our area and every effort is being made to ensure its success for children in our community.”

The pilot project, which will span two years, is informed by a newly established Independent Steering Committee made up of representatives from ITAV, the HSE, local schools, GFRC, and local government. Expressions of interest are actively being assessed for the role of pilot coordinator, with full details available on our website here.

The Play Therapist Pilot Project was first envisioned at the ITAV’s inception, reflecting ITAV’s commitment to lasting and meaningful interventions. The project enjoys strong cross-sector collaboration, including vital support from the HSE.

It Takes A Village and GFRC look forward to working with schools, families, and allied agencies as the pilot gets underway, ensuring that the children of Greystones and Delgany receive the highest standard of support for their mental health and overall wellbeing.

To find out more about the two play therapists positions, please click here, and for further information on It Takes A Village, you can jump here, or here.