About Alaria:
Our Story
Alaria takes its name from a small plum tree planted during a time when life was changing in unexpected and challenging ways.
At the time, there was a strong instinct to begin creating – to plant trees, to shape the beginnings of what might one day become a forest garden. It was a period marked by uncertainty, but also by growth, and by a quiet hope that something new might take root over time.
Many of the early plantings did not survive. Conditions were challenging, and the landscape was still finding its balance. Yet one small plum tree endured, continuing to grow quietly through the changing seasons.
Over time, she grew steady and strong. She became a quiet symbol of resilience – of rootedness through change, and of the kind of growth that happens gradually, often unseen at first. She also came to represent female strength and renewal: the capacity to rebuild, to nurture, and to flourish in new seasons.
Today, Alaria reflects those same values. We believe children, young people and families grow best when they feel safe enough to take root, when development is supported rather than forced, and when resilience is built through steady, trusting relationships.
Like that small tree named Alaria, meaningful growth often begins quietly – and unfolds in its own time.
Why Alaria exists
Many families come to us after feeling lost in long waiting lists, rigid systems or services that don’t quite fit. At Alaria, we provide therapeutic support for children and families in ways that feel softer, more human and responsive – rooted in nature, guided by play and attuned to each person’s unique needs.
At Alaria, we understand that children and young people thrive when they feel safe, seen and genuinely understood. Rather than expecting children to adapt to highly structured environments, we focus on creating thoughtful therapeutic spaces – both indoors and outdoors – where relationships can develop at a comfortable pace and where emotional growth feels possible.
Our work brings together play therapy, counselling and Therapeutic Forest School within a calm, relational framework. We are particularly mindful of children who may experience the world differently, including neurodivergent children and those who have found traditional settings overwhelming. By working gently alongside each child and family, we aim to support meaningful, sustainable change that carries into everyday life.
Who We Are
Our team brings together a rich blend of therapeutic, educational and outdoor expertise, grounded in warmth, inclusivity and respect for the natural world.
Alongside them, our wider team of staff and volunteers contribute skills in outdoor learning, bushcraft, ecological practice and therapeutic group work. Together, we create safe, nurturing environments where children, young people and families can reconnect, build confidence and grow.
Our founders are qualified therapists, Forest School Leaders and educators, with specialist training in areas including play therapy, animal-assisted play therapy and nature-informed therapeutic practice.
Our site at High Plewlands Farm, beside Glengavel Reservoir, offers woodland, meadow, water and sheltered spaces. This unique setting allows us to work gently with the seasons and the landscape, supporting each child’s experience at a pace that feels right for them.
