As the year ends, it's a perfect time to reflect on the incredible progress made within our Clinical team and to look forward to an even brighter 2025. This year has been transformative, filled with significant achievements, valuable lessons, and a renewed sense of purpose.  

Here's a look back at key highlights from 2024 and what’s next on the horizon for our therapists and wider clinical team.  

New leadership: fresh perspectives for the Clinical Team 

This year, we welcomed two new members into pivotal leadership roles within the Clinical team. Kamila De Nadia joined us in March as Deputy Clinical Director, Services, and Emma Ritchie, one of our long-standing therapists stepped up into her new role as Deputy Clinical Director, Teams, in the autumn. 

Emma said: “It is both an honour and a pleasure to represent our incredible clinical team, a group of professionals with a diverse range of expertise, knowledge, and experience. Working alongside such a talented and dynamic team is really rewarding, as we not only bring unique perspectives to our work but also have the privilege of learning from one another. I’m excited about the year ahead and the opportunities it will bring for continued growth, collaboration, and making a positive impact together.”

This infusion of fresh ideas and strategic direction has reinvigorated our approach, enhancing the way we support both our therapists and our clients. With a focus on collaboration, efficiency, and impact, this leadership has already begun to make a meaningful difference, laying a strong foundation for the future. 

Kami, reflecting back on her first year with us said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of the Kids Inspire family and to learn and grow with each and every one of you! The teamwork and willingness from each colleague, makes the work a lot easier. I look forward to continuing to grow and develop together in 2025!”

Training excellence: investing in growth and development 

One of the year’s achievements has been our commitment to trauma informed training, both internally for our teams and externally for those professionals and parent/carers who want our support and expertise.  

These training programmes have not only enhanced skill sets but also reinforced our role as a reliable resource for professional development. Our sessions are informed by child development theories, neuroscience, nervous system resilience and trauma resolution. 

“This training has empowered me with a nuanced understanding of how trauma intersects with neurodiversity, allowing me to approach my work with greater empathy and effectiveness.”  

By prioritising education and upskilling, we are fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring the highest standards of clinical support. 

Supporting even more children, expanding into Suffolk 

As a children’s mental health charity, we aspire to operate nationally with dreams of a Kids Inspire in every town. This year, thanks to funding from the National Lottery we recruited more therapists and began working with children and families in Suffolk, focusing on areas of high deprivation around Ipswich.

We’ve worked closely with our Community Engagement team to really focus on those who we can support the most. Recognising a significant need, we made Ipswich our pilot area before we start expanding further into Suffolk. 

The power of data: impact through insight 

We want all children and families to get the support they need to recover from trauma and thrive. In the last year (May 23 – April 24) 4532 children and families received support from us, continuing a trend of year on year growth. This is coupled with a continuing increase in the complexity of need. 

A renewed focus on data has been instrumental in helping us measure the impact of our work. By implementing robust data collection and analysis practices, we can now provide clearer insights into our successes and areas for growth.  

This emphasis on data-driven decision-making empowers us to demonstrate the tangible value of our efforts and refine our strategies for maximum effectiveness. Every challenge, breakthrough, and lesson learned has propelled us forward in our quest for a brighter future for children's mental health. 

Showcasing expertise: celebrating the team’s knowledge and contributions 

The expertise within our Clinical team has been on full display this year, with contributions to various blogs, thought leadership pieces and even on social media like our TikTok channel. Examples of the range of knowledge shared include: 

• Family support through group work, both our Empowering Parents and Improving Connections (EPIC) and Non Violent Resistance (NVR) parent groups 

• Navigating exam anxiety 

• Supporting family’s mental health in winter 

• Supporting a child with suicidal thoughts 

If you haven’t already, take a moment to read some of the insightful content produced by our talented team members. 

Looking ahead to 2025 

As we set our sights on 2025, our focus remains on building upon this year’s successes. Plans are already underway to: 

• continue leveraging data to refine our impact and inform targeting and decision-making 

• expand training opportunities to reach more people and address emerging needs 

• explore new ways to showcase the expertise and dedication of our team 

• move into new areas in Suffolk to support even more children and young people 

2024 has been a remarkable year for the entire Clinical team, marked by growth, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence. As we move into 2025, we’re excited to take on new challenges and continue to provide free specialist trauma support to children and families who couldn’t otherwise afford it.