Meet Kelly

"Hello, I'm Kelly, and I'm dedicated to providing a nurturing and calming environment at Little Barn of Calm, where individuals can experience the therapeutic benefits of animal interaction. With over 20 years of experience in childcare and education, I've developed a deep understanding of the importance of wellbeing, particularly for neurodiverse individuals.

My career has encompassed various roles, including SENCO, key worker, and classroom teacher, allowing me to build a diverse skill set. I've also planned and implemented numerous wellbeing classes, witnessing firsthand the positive impact of holistic approaches to learning and development. Wellbeing has always been central to my teaching philosophy.

Throughout my career, I've observed the challenges faced by children experiencing school avoidance and the impact this can have on their overall wellbeing. I've also seen the transformative power of animal-assisted intervention on mental health. This combination of professional expertise and observed experiences has fueled my passion for creating Little Barn of Calm in Castleside, County Durham, where I can offer a safe and supportive space for individuals to connect with animals and discover their own inner calm. For your peace of mind, my DBS check and qualifications are available for viewing by parents and carers upon request."

Meet the Animals

  • Matilda

    Matilda is our most gentle chicken she adores a cuddle and likes to be carried around.

  • Toffee

    Our short haired guinea pig she is our cheekiest of the two guinea pigs. She Wheek loudly when she hears a rustle of a plastic vegetable bag.

  • Darcy

    Darcy is our long haired guinea pig. She is the shyest of the two guinea pigs. Her favourite thing to eat is dil.

  • Rolo

    Rolo is our shyer boy who loves cuddles. He has darker stripes on his back and darker facial fur than his brother Theodore.

  • Theodore

    Theodore is a little cheekier than Rolo. Theodore is lighter coloured than his brother. He is very fluffy.

  • Teddy

    Teddy is our lovely Cavapoo he is very sweet and gentle but still a little excitable, so he only comes to the barn sometimes.

  • Dandelion

    loves to jump out of her pen to explore. she loves her three sisters.

  • Daisy

    Daisy also known as our little unicorn as she often has one ear up like a horn.

  • Buttercup

    she loves to jump out of her pen a give Theodore kisses through the pen whenever she can.

  • Bluebell

    loves a cuddle and some spinach

  • Buzz

    is an African pygmy goat he is so small he is a great escape artist.

  • Woody

    is pigmy goat he can be shy sometime. He loves climbing and eating everything he finds.

  • Rusty

    is our new horse. he is only four years old. he is very gentle and will share his food with all of the other animals. He loves a carrot.

  • Marvin

    is our tallest horse. He likes to be in the field with his brother Arthur.

  • Arthur

    Arthur is the boss of the herd he keeps Marvin and Rusty in check. He loves carrots.