Free story massage classes for families online

When you have a baby or toddler your days and weeks are often led by the groups you attend.
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Mary

The time out of the house where you and your child can enjoy an activity together.

However, all of these groups have had to stop while we all pledge to stay home.

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In order to support those who are using the Story Massage Programme Mary Atkinson has set up online demos so parents can take part.

The live story massage takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm. Each demo is about 15 minutes long.

Mary said: “For those who already know the strokes then it will be very familiar, but for those who do now know the programme then they can follow along and enjoy the experience. I hope that it will encourage more people to recognise the benefits of the programme and buy the book or better still, join the online training to share it within a work setting.

“Each story is demonstrated twice so you can start by watching if you choose. You don't need anything at all to join in.”

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The Story Massage Programme was founded in 2013 by Mary from Chichester and Sandra Hooper who lives in Brighton.

“It is a combination of the benefits of positive touch with the fun and creativity of story, song and poem, explained Mary.

“It is based on ten simple massage strokes which are used to illustrate the words so bringing the story to life.”

Initially Mary sent out a free leaflet for people to use.

"One school teacher suggested that I should do Facebook Live posts so that parents could follow as part of home-school partnership," she said.

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"So I plucked up courage and did my first one. I chose the original story of The Smiling Flowers that I had taken to Japan after the 2011 tsunami. I was absolutely amazed by the positive response. It was incredible how many people – of all ages and abilities – that had enjoyed it and plan to make it a regular slot in their diary.

"I was particularly touched by news that local refugee families in Chichester were enjoying it, and also many parents at home with children with profound and multiple learning difficulties. "Many schools are now making it part of their timetable and I am asking schools to choose their favourite massage story so they get a mention."

The demos are live on its Facebook channel with no need to register.

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