Meet the Team
We are a small team of experienced, therapeutic teachers who love using creativity to help young people thrive. We're passionate about making a positive difference and supporting their growth and wellbeing.
Ali Whealy
Ali is the founder and Creative Director of The Nook, and an experienced teacher.
After spending many years teaching, Ali left the profession to become a foster carer. In this role, she witnessed firsthand the need for alternative provision for many young people for whom school wasn’t suitable.
She trained as a trauma-informed therapeutic mentor and worked at the Trauma Recovery Centre in Oxford, supporting parents and carers. She has dedicated a decade to learning about developmental trauma, attachment, therapeutic parenting, and the importance of a creative approach to help young people build confidence, self-belief, and meaningful relationships.
After earning a Master's degree in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, she founded The Nook in Standlake as a space for young people and adults to use creative writing for wellbeing. The addition of The Nook at Jessie’s Art Shed will realise a lifelong dream of creating a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for young people who struggle in the school system and need a smaller, gentler place to belong and flourish.
From a happy parent: ‘I find it hard to express how much of a wonderful influence you have been on him. Thanks to your gentle coaching, his writing confidence has grown so much. I can hardly recognise that this is the same boy who, 18 months ago, was refusing to write and finding the whole exercise so stressful. He believes you when you say he should try being an author one day. You’ve done that much for his self-belief. Thank you, thank you, thank you!’ H
Hannah Monnery
With over seven years of experience in primary education, Hannah is passionate about fostering creativity and supporting the emotional wellbeing of young learners. Her journey in the classroom has allowed her to create and teach engaging art programmes, recognising the profound power of art, especially as therapy.
Hannah believes art provides a unique and powerful outlet, particularly for those who may struggle to express complex feelings verbally. It allows young people to safely explore emotions, process difficult experiences like trauma, and develop coping mechanisms through a non-threatening, creative medium. Practising art and being creative can bridge communication gaps, enhance sensory regulation, and build vital self-esteem and confidence whilst creating something tangible to be proud of.
In her previous roles as an ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) and art teacher, Hannah had the privilege of working closely with children facing emotional trauma and diverse educational needs, providing tailored support to help them thrive. She believes in creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to grow, often finding their voice and healing through the magic of art.
All our team members have an enhanced DBS and are trained in trauma-informed practice.
We support neurodiverse young people by recognising their unique strengths and challenges.
We are not therapists, but we have experience and expertise in working therapeutically with young people.
We truly care about each young person, creating a warm and inclusive environment where everyone can have fun, grow, and thrive.