Author: With Kids

We’re thrilled to unveil the new With Kids brand, designed to reflect the heart of who we are and what we do: supporting children to build brighter, stronger futures through play therapy and family support. Our fresh branding captures the energy, positivity, and creativity that lie at the core of our work, while remaining true to our deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and their families across Scotland.

With our new look comes the same unwavering dedication to helping children grow, heal, and thrive. But what does this really mean? Let’s take a look at our values, our work, and the incredible impact of play therapy.

What we believe: With Kids

At With Kids, we believe every child deserves the chance to feel safe, confident, and supported. Our work is built on founding principles:

• Empowerment: We help children and families discover their strengths, giving them the tools to overcome challenges and build resilience.
• Connection: Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s with children, parents, teachers, or communities, we believe in working together to create lasting change.
• Voice: We believe that play is the best means of accessing and understanding the emotional life of children. We work with children, not just for them, we believe that every child has the right to a voice on matters that affect them; and to have their views taken seriously

Our mission is simple but powerful: to support children and families in ways that build brighter futures, both for them and their communities.

What is Play Therapy?

At the core of With Kids’ approach is play therapy, a child-friendly form of therapy that helps children process difficult emotions and experiences through play. Why play? Because play is a child’s natural language. It’s how they communicate, learn, and make sense of the world around them.

Play therapy gives children a safe space to explore their feelings, express their worries, and work through challenges—all without needing to put those feelings into words, which can be difficult for young minds. Through play, they can:

• Make sense of difficult or confusing experiences.
• Build self-esteem and emotional resilience.
• Develop problem-solving skills and healthy coping mechanisms.
• Strengthen their ability to form positive relationships.

How Does Play Therapy Work?

In play therapy, a trained therapist works with a child in a specially designed space equipped with toys, art supplies, and other tools. These items allow the child to express their emotions and thoughts freely.

The therapist doesn’t direct or guide the child’s play but observes and interacts in ways that help the child explore their inner world. For example, a child might act out a troubling experience using figurines or express frustration through drawing. Over time, these sessions help the child process their feelings, build resilience, and feel more secure.

Play therapy isn’t just about helping children overcome challenges—it’s about empowering them to grow into confident, happy individuals.

Why Our Work Matters

At With Kids, we’ve seen first hand how transformative play therapy can be. We’ve watched children overcome anxieties, rebuild trust, and develop a newfound sense of confidence. But we’ve also seen how this impact spreads—how one child’s growth can inspire hope in their family, improve dynamics in their school, and contribute to a brighter community.

Our New Brand: Reflecting Hope and Positivity

Our new branding is more than just a logo—it’s a reflection of everything we stand for. The colours and playful design echo the creativity and energy of our work, while the modern, fresh look reflects our forward-thinking approach to supporting children and families.

But at its heart, our brand is about connection. It’s about reminding everyone—children, parents, teachers, partners, and supporters—that we’re all in this together, working to build brighter futures for the next generation.

How You Can Get Involved

With Kids is more than a charity—we’re a movement for change. And we can’t do it without your support. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, business, or community member, there are so many ways to get involved:

• Donate: Your contributions fund life-changing play therapy services.
• Partner: Join us as a corporate partner and make a lasting impact.
• Volunteer: Help us run programmes and events that support children and families.
• Advocate: Spread the word about the importance of children’s mental health.

February marks Children’s Mental Health Month, a time to shine a light on the unique challenges children face and explore meaningful ways to support their emotional well-being. At With Kids, we understand that in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, children are navigating pressures that can leave lasting impacts on their mental health—from academic stress and social media comparison to struggles with socialisation and family stress. 

February marks Children’s Mental Health Month Throughout this month, we’ll be highlighting the transformative power of play therapy as a tool to address these challenges, offering insight into how positive play can foster resilience, build confidence, and enhance emotional health. Through a series of articles, we will dive into key issues experienced by children, such as anxiety, digital dependency, and social struggles, while providing practical tools and techniques for parents, teachers, and caregivers to create supportive environments where children can thrive.

This month, we’re delving deeper into the key mental health challenges faced by children in today’s complex world. From the rise of digital dependency to the pressures of academic achievement, we aim to shed light on how these issues affect young minds and offer practical ways to support them. Here’s a preview of the areas we’ll explore:

1. Nomophobia and Digital Dependency: With smartphones and tablets becoming a staple in daily life, many children are developing an unhealthy reliance on their devices. We’ll explore the anxiety and isolation that come with being disconnected, and how this dependency affects sleep, focus, and emotional regulation.
2. The Impact of Social Media: Social media can foster connection but often comes with downsides like unrealistic comparisons, cyberbullying, and a pressure for validation. We’ll examine how this environment affects self-esteem and what can be done to help children navigate it.
3. Anxiety: There are many difficulties that today’s children face. In particular, we’ve noticed an increase in children reportedly feeling higher levels of anxiety or worries – and this is having a significant impact on their daily lives at home and in school. We’ll dive into these impacts and explore some strategies for tackling anxiety through play.
4. Challenges with Socialising: In a digital age, face-to-face interaction can feel daunting for some children. We’ll highlight the importance of building real-world social skills and provide tools to help children foster friendships and manage conflicts.
5. Family and Environmental Stress: From financial instability to exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) like trauma or loss, family dynamics play a pivotal role in a child’s mental health. We’ll explore how these factors shape behaviour and academic performance and offer guidance for creating supportive environments.

Play therapy plays a transformative role in addressing the diverse mental health challenges faced by children, nurturing resilience, emotional health, and a strong sense of self. 

Through play, children can learn to identify and regulate their emotions. Play therapy can also support children in fostering greater self-awareness and equipping them with tools to manage stress effectively. In a therapeutic play setting, children practice social interactions and problem-solving, building confidence and improving relationships at school and home. By offering an engaging alternative to screen time, play therapy reduces digital dependency, encouraging hands-on, imaginative activities that enhance focus, creativity, and patience. 

For children grappling with anxiety, trauma, or the stresses of modern life, play therapy provides a safe and supportive space to express their fears and process difficult experiences at their own pace under the guidance of a trained therapist. Ultimately, it empowers children to tackle challenges, recover from setbacks, and build the resilience they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Together, we can create a brighter future for every child. If you’d like to learn more about our services, get involved, or support our mission, please reach out. Let’s empower children to grow, learn, and thrive—one play session at a time.

Contact us here

With Kids has been chosen as the official charity partner of Thorntons Solicitors Glasgow’s office. 

The partnership is a testament to both organisations’ shared commitment to supporting children and their families across Scotland. Together, we aim to make a lasting impact by raising vital funds to help young people overcome challenges, build resilience, and thrive in their communities.

A Shared Vision of Supporting Communities

Thorntons has a long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities it serves. As one of Scotland’s leading full service and independent law firms, it embodies a strong ethos of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a particular focus on empowering young people, supporting health initiatives, and fostering positive community development.

For With Kids, this partnership offers an incredible opportunity to align our mission with Thorntons’ social vision and together, we will be improving the lives of hundreds of children across the country. By working collaboratively we will bring attention to the importance of early intervention and play therapy for children to build resilience. 

Thorntons Glasgow’s support of our organisation reinforces the importance of investing in Scotland’s next generation. The funds raised over the year will directly contribute to providing Play Therapy and family support services, giving children the tools they need to grow with confidence and thrive in their communities.

What’s Ahead: A Year of Fundraising and Collaboration

The partnership will see the Thorntons’ Glasgow team participate in a variety of fundraising events throughout the year. From bake sales and sponsored challenges to corporate donations and volunteering opportunities, 2025 promises to be an inspiring journey of collaboration.

Thorntons’ focus on collaboration and teamwork aligns perfectly with our relationship-based approach to creating lasting change in young lives. Every pound raised will directly fund play therapy programmes that help children process challenging emotions, develop resilience, and build confidence within their families, schools, and communities.

Commitment to a Better Future

Thorntons’ relationship with organisations such as Cash for Kids, CHAS, and various community trusts underlines its dedication to long-term partnerships. With Kids is proud to join this list of supported organisations, and we look forward to working together to help children and families across Scotland.

The Power of Partnerships

This partnership is an opportunity to create meaningful change. We are excited to see what this year brings and are deeply grateful to Thorntons’ Glasgow for choosing With Kids as its charity partner. With its support, we can continue to provide life-changing services to children and families ensuring they have the brightest possible start in life.