I'm Polly Stubbs, a champion of getting children and adults to realise that anything they really want to do is within their grasp. My aim is to help encourage, establish and enrich learning through all forms of creativity.
At 14, I joined an amateur theatre group, and it went from there. I studied at Nene College, Northampton (now Northampton University) and gained a 2:2 (Honours) in Combined Studies; Drama, History, English and Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour.
After moving to Colchester when I married Des, I not only became involved in a number of local Am Dram theatre group, but began writing, did a stint with Scripture Union in Schools, helping lead lessons and assemblies. Joining Stanway Evangelical Church, we became part of the Discovery Night and Sunday School team. After a move to Orchard Baptist Church (then Blackheath Baptist) we both joined the Sunday School team.I worked as Mid-Week Youth Co-ordinator, Roots leader, co-led homegroups with Des and joined the Worship team as a Leader and singer.
In 2003 I began, in a voluntary capacity, to work with Richard Hubbard, where I led drama workshops. Richard, who had established King's Kids then got me on board with cre8- an interdenominational creative arts group for 7-16 year old. I became the Cre8 Director of Dance and Drama for Cantus Firmus Trust. We travelled the country, leading workshops on drama, dance, creative writing, flags, sign language for churches and events big and small.
When my daughter started at primary school, I, like many other adults, went into school to help, on a voluntary basis. Working as an LSA/UHI (Unit for Hearing Impaired) LSA, my foray into the established education system had begun. I had my first brush with SEND(Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) and from there worked in exclusively SEND schools and also as part of Mainstream Education as a 1:1 SEND LSA. My sensory stories were born out of a need for complete story bags! "Handa's Surprise" was my first all singing, all dancing sensory story, with props, music and the like. Since then, the sensory side has grown even more , with an All age Easter sensory story and other resources.
Most recently, I was interviewed on BBC Essex's BBC Sounds slot where listeners heard one of my poems and a sensory story. I've continue to write during lockdown, provide play therapy and send out craft activity packs to children and families in isolation during the height of Covid 19. This is continuing alongside activity craft packs for adults who are lonely, isolated, as part of a mental well being scheme in Colchester.