ABOUT US
Who are we?
Waymaker is a social enterprise with a heart to help rewrite the mental health of children in Northern Ireland using the healing power of play, providing play therapy for children, support for parents and training for professionals using play. We believe every child should have the right to access appropriate services regardless of their financial circumstances. We offer a tried approach to our services costs to ensure all families can access vital support.
why?
1 in 10 children in Northern Ireland has a mental illness
70% of children with a mental health problem are not receiving help
Rates of mental health are 25% higher in NI than in other parts of the UK
50% of mental health problems are established by the age of fourteen
Early Intervention is key.
There is no 'quick fix, and we believe every child deserves access to appropriate services regardless of their financial circumstances.
Creating a new pattern, a new path, a new wave
.
Creating a new pattern, a new path, a new wave .
Our mission
We value the worth of all children’s mental health and believe that every child has the right to access appropriate level services despite their circumstances. We seek to promote the power of play to transform the mental health and well-being of children and families with emotional, social and behavioural issues by providing highly qualified therapeutic support and delivering professional training based on the latest neuroscience.
Founder
Eileen Russell
Eileen grew up in a loving, nurturing home in the countryside of Northern Ireland; however, her dad had a severe mental health condition. She was fortunate to have lots of healing throughout her adult life. However, she does wonder what it could have been like to the support she needed as a child. Her experiences have given Eileen a genuine empathy and passion for helping families hold hard things and see children and families fully restored and lead emotionally healthy lives.
Eileen has over fifteen years working with children and families in the public sector; she experienced an increasing number of children and families around her struggling. Retraining as a play therapist Eileen opened her private business in 2018. It became apparent very quickly that there was a vital need for children to access high-level therapy services. Unfortunately, waiting lists for mental health services in Northern Ireland are ever-growing, and children’s conditions deteriorate whilst waiting for support. Eileen created a not-for-profit organisation to utilise her strategic experience to provide a service that every child can access.
THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS
x
THANKS TO OUR FUNDERS x
