Meet the Team Bio's

Core Team

Suzan Issa

FOUNDER

Hi, I am Suzan Issa, I am based in the UK, and one of the wild children, diagnosed at 40 as Autistic with a heavy sprinkling of PDA and hefty dose of ADHD to complete the potion.

School stopped being an option for me at 11, I was angry and afraid, but most of all, utterly exhausted by it. Self taught and wandering through the next 30 years, I became a teacher, specialist headteacher, SENCO … but just like 11 year old me; I always felt like I was on the wrong side of the argument, I just didn’t quite fit in… until one day, once again, being in school was no longer possible for me.

I now work alongside families to navigate the journey of discovering and understanding their child’s neurotype… finding ways together to ensure that every member of the network around the child feels understood and empowered to create a harmonious home.

Emma Whewell

ASSOCIATE & DEVELOPMENT LEAD

Hi, I am Emma, I have worked for over 20 years as a specialist SEN teacher in school classrooms and am an experienced yoga teacher.

I spent the past 10 years sharing a wealth of practices that nurture the nervous system, develop emotional regulation and support the overall wellbeing of the wild children, young people and families I am so passionate about supporting.

I oversee the Training & Development for RAWC & TWF, training and mentoring of new YPG's/Associates and developing training materials and curriculum in collaboration with Suzan.

Lara Turner

OPERATIONS LEAD

Hi, I am Lara, I am a Wellness & Resilience Coach and supporting young people and their families navigating everyday complexities. I work with families, both collectively and on an individual basis, applying a therapeutic approach to build resilience and facilitate positive engagement with life.

I oversee the operational aspects of Raising a Wild Child in providing support to our team members and families ensuring the implementation of our offer, where we strive to create an environment where individuals and families can thrive, building lasting foundations for resilience and well-being.

Rosalind Walker

STRATEGY & VISION LEAD

Hi, I am Rosalind. I am a qualified teacher with over 20 years’ experience both as a teacher and senior school leader in secondary education supporting young people with additional and complex needs.

During this time, I pioneered new approaches in equipping our children and young people to more effectively communicate, emotionally regulate and develop their emotional intelligence with the aim of empowering them to lead happier lives and develop and maintain healthy relationships.

I deliver national training to social workers and local authorities to support young people who are struggling to access education.

Associates

Sophie Kekeh

Hi, I am Sophie, after 23 years of teaching, I decided to leave mainstream education and to devote myself to the children and families who struggle to fit into the parameters that society defines for them. I recently completed an MSc in Psychology and the EBSA Horizons CPD while considering training further in Educational Psychology.

I have an adopted son with ASD (PDA profile), ADHD and developmental trauma and have personal experience of many of the situations facing families today, including the journey through diagnosis, parental applications for DLA and EHCP and the trauma of violence and family crisis.

Shelly Pyer

Bio to come ...