Julia Gray is the first point of contact when getting in touch with Jump Start, and we are delighted to have her as part of the team. Julia has worked for over 20 years in the City for several financial services institutions. She has worked as an Executive Assistant to the Head of IT and also worked on a major change programme for a large French Bank. She brings a wealth of experience and skills from all the roles she has undertaken.

For the last 10 years Julia has looked after her two boys full time at home. Her eldest child has additional needs, and she is extremely knowledgeable, from a parent prospective, regarding issues such as Educational Health Care Plans, and the challenges that parents face.

Julia also volunteers for a local Essex Charity SNAP (Special Needs and Parents), which helps families with children and young people who have any special need or disability.

SNAP’s aims are to inform, encourage and support parents and carers so that they can grow in strength and knowledge and become better equipped to give the best possible help to their children.

Julia takes an active role in her eldest sons’ schools PTFA.

Lesley joined Jump Start in April 2019, having spent the previous 7 years working for a NHS service for children who have a diagnosed moderate to severe learning disability. She also worked with families to assess and manage the child’s behaviour. It was in this role that she undertook training in Sensory Integration, gaining a Post Graduate Certificate from Ulster University. Working in this role taught Lesley how to assess children who are not able to complete standardised assessments. This focused upon clinical observations, discussions with caregivers and spending time engaging the child in sensory play activities.

Lesley has a previous degree in Anthropology and Cultural Studies and a BSc in Occupational Therapy from the University of Essex, as a newly qualified Occupational Therapist she worked within a mental health team.

Following this training Lesley developed an interest in the complexities of family dynamics and trauma and how these impact on a child’s ability to function. This interest led her to complete the Sensory Attachment Level 1 course, DMM Training (Dynamic-Maturational Model) of attachment and adaption at the Tavistock and she has undertaken the ‘Just Right State’ Programme in June 2019.

Since joining the Jump Start team Lesley has undertaken Sensory Attachment Assessments, direct sensory and emotional regulation intervention with children both at the clinic and within their home environment. Lesley is passionate about educating others and supporting caregivers to gain a greater understanding of their child’s nervous system. She is interested in developing ways in which people can adapt their environment and their bodies through exercise, giving them the sensory feedback they require throughout their day.

Dr Matthew Slavin; DClinPsych is a Clinical Psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Member (CPsychol) of the British Psychological Society.

Matt provides specialist assessment, therapy, consultation, training and clinical supervision to support vulnerable client groups across the life span.

With specialist training and practice in the areas of developmental psychology, trauma, attachment and systemic practice, Matt is committed to improving the lives of children, young people and families affected by separation, loss and trauma. Matt invites children, young people and families into a safe authentic compassionate therapeutic space which offers warmth, acceptance, and healing. He works collaboratively with families to explore together the emotional distress and difficulties present in a shared understanding (i.e. formulation) and makes sure that therapeutic goals are meaningful for client’s lives. Knowing that opportunities for healing and growth happen within trusted relationships, Matt makes sure to spend the time to build a strong therapeutic alliance and ensures he helps guide individuals through moments of hardship and joy within sessions. With clinical and research expertise in nature-based therapies, Matt works in and outside of the clinic ensuring that sessions meet the individual needs of the children and families he sees, and that fun, exploration and discovery are sewn into the seeds of change.

Naomi joined Jump Start from South Africa where she ran the occupational department of a mental health hospital for children and adolescents. Naomi has worked internationally in Australia and the UK. She has 36 years of experience.
Naomi is registered as an Occupational Therapist with the HCPC. She is trained in Sensory Integration and Sensory Attachment Intervention. Further she is an Australian accredited Transpersonal Art Therapist and Counsellor and is currently studying Psychodrama under Kate Tauvon and Clark Biam.

Her main interests include how development and life experiences influence an individual becoming who they are; how they respond because of that on an emotional and practical level in relationships and the other spheres of life. She has an holistic approach and sees the body as a main source of information towards integration. She believes that play provides a good platform for connection and interaction. She values the strength of nature in healing and the power of storytelling through imagery. She believes in embodiment towards cognitive understanding. She enjoys using sandplay and movement as tools to accomplish that.

She loves animals, wild swimming and reading.

Ciara joined Jump Start Therapy Centre in February 2021 as a Occupational therapist with sensory integration level training 2 Ciara is currently completing sensory integration level 3.   Ciara has been qualified for 9 years and has experience in forensic mental health, Adult mental health and most recently Ciara worked in a child and adolescent mental health ward for children and young people with complex needs including those with autism and learning disabilities. Within Ciara’s most recent role she worked very closely with young people with ASD, learning disabilities and complex trauma histories which led her to complete further training in sensory integration to learn more about how best to support them.   Ciara also has experience of applying Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) principles within my work with young people.  Ciara has worked both for the NHS and private companies throughout her career thus far.

Laura is a qualified, HCPC registered Occupational Therapist who joined Jump Start in 2023. Laura is currently completing levels 1-3 Sensory Integration (SI) training with Jump Start and will be completing Sensory Attachment Intervention Training.

Laura qualified from the University of East Anglia in 2021 with a first class degree in Bsc Occupational Therapy. Since qualifying Laura has worked within the charity sector working as Deputy Manager and Occupational Therapist for women experiencing crisis and their families. From there she worked as the Occupational Therapy Lead within Children’s Social Services with children on the edge of care and their families. Laura also has experience working within youth centres and with children and young people with complex presentations including autism, ADHD, mental health needs, substance misuse, youth justice experience, developmental conditions and learning disabilities.

For Jump Start, Laura works within Special Needs schools and within the Jump Start Clinic to conduct sensory assessments and facilitate Sensory Integration Intervention. 

Laura brings a wealth of experience working within the mental health charity sector.  She specialises in supporting children and young people with mental health needs. Laura is additionally trained in Attachment Based Practice for Families and trained in Pathways and Resources for Engagement and Participation (PREP), a coaching model designed specifically for children and young people.

Outside of work Laura enjoys art, going to the gym, coaching gymnastics, any outdoor activities (from hiking up mountains to rock climbing), and designing bespoke and personalised OT resources for children, young people and their families.

Vicky is an Occupational Therapist who joined the Jump Start Therapy Centre in 2022. Vicky graduated from Chester University with a Health and Social Care undergraduate degree in 2019, and graduated from the University of Essex with a Master’s degree in 2022. Vicky has worked in the Health and Social Care sector for over 6 years, including working as occupational therapy assistant in a mental health hospital and children’s care homes.

 Vicky is the youngest sibling in her home, and has grown up with two older siblings who have additional and complex needs. Vicky is extremely knowledgeable about the family perspective and challenges that can occur. Vicky is currently specialising in Sensory Integration, and has completed training in Sensory Attachment. 

Vicky loves going to the gym, taking long walks and playing with her dog Sookie.

For Jump Start, Vicky works within specialist schools, completes school and clinic assessments.  Vicky also works at the Jump Start Centre offering 1 to 1 therapy one day a week.

Liz joined Jump Start as a Occupational Therapist Specialist in July 2023.

Liz holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Occupational Therapy and has over 8 years’ experience working as a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, both in the UK and USA.  She has worked in special schools, preschool nurseries, children’s own homes, clinics and mainstream schools for both the NHS, United States School Board and private companies.  Liz began her career working in an acute hospital setting in Care of Elderly and Orthopaedic wards and later in the community with Adults with Learning disabilities. Liz has a wealth of experience assessing and treating children with a wide variety of diagnosis and difficulties including ASD, Global Developmental Delay, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and Sensory processing disorders.

Liz returned to practice in 2022 after taking a career break to look after her own 4 children. Since returning Liz has updated her training in Sensory Integration, completing module 1, and will be completing modules 2 and 3 with Jump Start. She is also a Therapeutic Listening Practitioner and has recently completed training in the Interoception Curriculum. She is a member of the Royal college of OT’s and is HCPC and DBS registered.

Liz works in the Jump Start Clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays completing SI interventions and assessments.

When not working Liz enjoys walking her dogs, Pilates and caring for her horses.