Ali

Ali is the founder and Creative Director of The Nook. An experienced teacher

After spending several decades as a teacher, Ali left teaching to become a foster carer.  As a foster carer, she has seen firsthand the need for an alternative provision for many young people who school isn’t working for.  She trained as a trauma-informed therapeutic mentor and worked at the Trauma Recovery Centre in Oxford, supporting parents and carers.  She has spent a decade learning about developmental trauma, attachment, therapeutic parenting and understanding the importance of a creative approach to help young people find the confidence, self-belief and relationships in which to grow.  After achieving a Master's degree in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, she founded The Nook in Standlake as a place for young people and adults to use creative writing to flourish.  The addition of The Nook at Jessie’s Art Shed will fulfil a lifelong dream of providing a safe, fun, creative space for young people who struggle in the school system and need a smaller, gentler place to belong and flourish.