LVA TRUST

08/04/2026

Action-attainment have created a Mum and daughter Yoga programme delivered by a specialist OT.

LVA Trust have had the privilege of getting to know the team and the amazing work that they do for our neurodiverse community of young people and their families.

This latest offering is one I, CEO of LVA Trust, would have personally taken up with my daughter.

If you are interested or you know families who are, please do reach out to them.

Full Quote on Feedback from Mother from the first pilot:
"there are so many ways I can help my daughter that I wasn't aware of and that what you see is not always what is happening underneath the surface. I believe this will be a breakthrough for us if we can learn to co regulate and understand her triggers better."

They are a social enterprise for neurodiverse children and young people, and everyone who works alongside them. We work with families, schools and sports organisations to provide practical inclusion strategies that can be used in all areas of life.

22/01/2026

https://www.lvatrust.org/blog/to-ban-or-not-to-ban-is-that-even-the-question

Australia’s Under-16 Social Media Ban: The Parent in Me Cheers. The Professional in Me Worries. By a parent and a youth-facing professional, watching Australia’s “world‑first” under-16 social media ban with two minds at once. Australia’s ban came into effect on 10 December 2025 , requiri...

19/08/2025

✨ What is Self-Awareness? ✨

Part of emotional intelligence is learning to truly know ourselves and it’s rarer than we think.

There are actually two types of self-awareness:
💭 Internal – understanding our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
👀 External – seeing ourselves from the perspective of others.

For young people, building both is vital. It helps them manage emotions, take ownership of their actions, and grow empathy. For parents, understanding this can be the key to better supporting our teens as they navigate who they are, how they’re seen, and how their environment shapes them. 🌱

When strong emotions hit, we can all practice taking back control:
1️⃣ Stop – notice the emotion
2️⃣ Breathe – slow your mind
3️⃣ Challenge – ask, “Is this a me problem, or a them problem?”
4️⃣ Choose – respond with intention, not reaction

💡 Self-awareness is the foundation for resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships.

👉 What do you find harder: understanding yourself, or understanding how others see you? Share in the comments!

14/08/2025

Cheesy results season post incoming….🤪

I was kicked out of school in year 9. I had my first child at 16. Second at 18. Third a week before my 21st birthday. My fourth at 26. Life was chaotic for a while as a traumatised child trying to raise a family the best she could.

BUT…

At 27 I got my first GCSE in English I got a B (at the time undiagnosed and had no idea I had dyslexia and ADHD).

At 28 I got my first ‘it means something to me’ job.

On my 30th birthday I got our charity number to LVA which I founded with Sue.

At 38 I got level one functional skills maths and then level two functional skills maths, something I thought was impossible, genuinely!

Heading to 39 I am now a chartered manager and have a level 7 apprenticeship in leadership.

In a few months and by the time I’m 40 I will have a Masters in Business Administration.

Who knows what’s next!!!

The moral of the story isn’t ’be a teenage parent’ 🤣 the moral of the story is that life isn’t linear.

And university straight out of school isn’t for everyone (actually I don’t believe it’s for the majority straight out of school). If you didn’t get the results you needed to go to the university you wanted or even at all. Or if you’ve just done your GCSE’s and didn’t get what you needed. It’s not the end it’s the beginning of a different journey for you. It’s scary but every failure is an opportunity. Every closed door opens another.

So wollow for a bit. Scream into your pillow for a bit. Be angry for a bit. BUT then…

Go figure out who you are. Find ad hock jobs. Experience adulting hard work let it build character. Find your tribe. Save up if can. Find your passions. Or even try again, if it’s what you really want. You get to choose your next steps.

AND

Rise like the phoenix you are and show yourself what you’re made of!!!!

-Kayleigh Butler, CEO, CMgr, FCMI 😉

14/08/2025

For anyone local to the Hanworth area this looks like a great day out. And all activities are free!!! What more could you ask for 😍

10/08/2025

📘 Secondary School Survival Guide For Parents 🏫💬

Starting or navigating secondary school isn’t just a big step for young people, it’s a journey for parents too. 💡

In this week’s guide, we’re talking emotional wellbeing and why it’s the secret ingredient to helping your teen thrive, not just survive, in secondary school. 🌱

💙 Why it matters:
• Builds resilience to bounce back from challenges
• Helps them manage everyday stresses
• Encourages confidence & self-awareness
• Strengthens their sense of belonging in school & community

👩‍👧 How you can help:
Ask reflective questions:
✨ What are your abilities?
✨ What stresses are normal for you?
✨ How can you use your gifts to help others?
✨ Which communities do you feel part of?

🛠 Small, regular conversations like these can make a BIG difference in how your child navigates friendships, academics, and growing independence.

💬 Parents: what’s one question you’ll ask your teen this week to start the conversation?

06/08/2025

Our summer newsletter is now live and here are some highlights from the term. You can find the full newsletter in our story or via our website.

05/08/2025

✨ Building your teen’s confidence starts with how they see themselves! ✨

At LVA Trust, we know that self-esteem is the foundation for healthy decision-making, resilience, and setting boundaries. 💪

That’s why we love using the Self-Esteem Shield, original concept credited to ) a simple but powerful activity that helps young people reflect on their strengths, celebrate achievements, and set positive goals. 🛡️

🟢 “I am…” (personal qualities)
🔵 “I can…” (skills & abilities)
🟢 “I will…” (goals & ambitions)
🔵 “I have…” (achievements & wins)

Why not give it a go at home? 🏡
It’s a great way to spark conversations and boost your child’s confidence one step at a time. 💬💙

04/08/2025

✨ Parents, meet the Wellness Gremlins! ✨
Those sneaky feelings of stress, worry, and anxiety that show up during big transitions, but don’t panic! 💪 You can help your child (and yourself!) tackle them with a simple daily D.O.S.E. of feel-good brain chemicals: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins.

Small, mindful actions each day (like ticking off a to-do list, spending time in nature, or sharing a meaningful chat) can massively boost mood and mental health. 🌿🗣️🐾

⚠️ Beware of quick fixes! Junk food, screen time, and people-pleasing might give a temporary high, but lasting wellbeing comes from healthy daily habits.

Let’s keep our families loved, valued, and able by being proactive, not reactive. 💚

31/07/2025

🎒 Supporting the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition
At LVA, we understand that starting secondary school can feel overwhelming, for both young people and their families. That’s why we’re launching bite-sized Secondary Survival Tips to help build confidence, ease anxiety, and strengthen emotional wellbeing during this big life change.
From friendships and first-day nerves to daily routines and resilience, our tips are designed to empower young people with simple, practical strategies.
📢 Follow along as we roll them out and feel free to share with the families you support. Let’s help every child start September strong. 💬✨

30/06/2025

📣 Calling all parents of Year 6s!
Starting secondary school can feel like a big leap, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. 💼🎒

This summer, we’re sharing our to help your young person feel confident, calm, and ready for what’s next. 💪✨

Follow along for bite-sized advice, helpful tools, and real talk about how to thrive through the transition, not just survive it! 🌱

have questions? Follow the link in the QR or this link
https://forms.office.com/e/WcAGyrAb8e
And we will aim to incorporate them over the summer.

Let’s help them step into September strong. 💙

17/06/2025

🎉 £42,470 Raised – THANK YOU! 🙌

As the campaign draws to a close, we are filled with gratitude.

Together, we’ve exceeded our target and raised £42,470, enabling more young people to feel LOVED, VALUED, and ABLE.

Every donation is more than a number, it’s a message to a young person that they matter. That their future is worth investing in. That their potential is recognised.

A heartfelt thank you to our supporters, partners, and champions, especially The Childhood Trust for being our match funding champion and believing in brighter futures.

To the personal and corporate donors who saw a cause worth investing in, this success is because you took action, thank you. 💙

To our match funder who enabled the childhood trust to champion us, thank you! we appreciate you!

To all who shared, liked, commented on our campaign and quietly cheered us on - we see you, we love your engagement, thank you!