About us
Good E.idea is about bringing a sense of self-control and empowerment into children's and teen's lives, using common sense, humour and good old fashioned respect!
Many children experience loneliness and for many different reasons, cannot access the caring relationships they need. Neuroscience helps us to understand how the brain works and responds to negative emotions, affecting both the learning process and physical and mental health.
Good E.idea provides a small group experience, which over time, encourages participants to actively listen to peers and, within a safe space, be truly heard by others and we learn to relax and have fun together!
Adults at Good E.idea are facilitators and participate in the group activities, thus providing the role models for increased self-awareness and empathy towards others.
Good E.idea provides experiential activities whereby children's lives can be enriched!
Andrea Clark-Ward B.Ed, Cert Ed, HND (Counselling), Cert Professional Studies (PSE), Cert Emotional Literacy, MBACP
Good EIdea (Emotional Intelligence Development through Expressive Arts) was founded by Andrea Clark-Ward in 2000 to help children build positive self-esteem within relationships at home, at school and with friends.
Andrea’s initial 3 year Teacher Training in Nottingham helped recognised the vital importance of the emotional aspects of learning. She has practiced ‘Emotional Intelligence’ in her classroom for 25 years, encouraging children to be enthusiastic and motivated in their learning. Living in Canada necessitated further Teacher Training based on behaviour modification, therefore giving her a rich base of two working models, but it was a Magic Circle training course on active speaking and listening, that really sparked the idea for small group empowerment and a positive and supportive engagement with peers.
Soon after the national curriculum was introduced in the UK, the desire to develop further the emotional aspects of learning prompted her to leave the school system and to take a 4 year Counselling Training Programme. One of Andrea’s placements was an Inner City After-School Club where she dealt with the deep emotional needs of disadvantaged children and their consequential disruptive behavior.
Bringing harmony to the small group situation became so rewarding that Andrea started a Saturday club which included healthy food, gardening and many trips in the school holidays.
Good EIdea (formerly known as Time for Me/City Friendship Club - under the umbrella of a charity called Circles Network), was then set up 10 years ago.
Andrea then went on to train for 3 years at the Bristol School of Emotional Literacy, using the City Friendship Club as part of her action research.
She has now taken the Good EIdea Small Group Time Model in to ten schools to support children with their school peer group and building positive relationships.
