Ballymena organisation launches ‘Little Bear’ initiative to support children’s emotional wellbeing

Eileen Russell, professional play therapist and founder of WayMaker Child Therapy, is pictured as the Ballymena-based child play therapy organisation unveils a therapeutic initiative combining digital storytelling and animation, practical support resources and sensory tools to support children’s emotional wellbeing.

A Ballymena-based child play therapy organisation has launched a new therapeutic initiative, Little Bear, aimed at helping children navigate complex emotions through digital storytelling, animation, sensory tools, and practical support resources.

The initiative, unveiled during Children’s Mental Health Week (9–15 February), introduces the Little Bear website, which features three animated short films addressing grief and loss, emotional regulation, and separation anxiety.

Animations and sensory tools to aid emotional understanding

The Little Bear series includes:

• A New Day for Little Bear – exploring grief and loss

• Little Bear Finds His Way – addressing separation anxiety

• The Big Roar of Little Bear – supporting emotional regulation

Through metaphorical storytelling, the animations help children understand and process their feelings in a compassionate, age-appropriate way.

Eileen Russell, professional play therapist and founder of WayMaker Child Therapy is joined by Alfie McClements (age 11)

Complementing the digital content is the Little Bear sensory teddy, available in two sizes. Designed and handmade in Ireland in partnership with Ulster University, the teddy is crafted from 100% natural wool and traditional Donegal yarn, providing children with a comforting tactile companion.

Free resources for parents, carers and professionals

Alongside the animations, the Little Bear website offers free resources for parents, carers, teachers, SENCOs, and child-focused professionals, providing practical guidance to nurture resilience and support emotional wellbeing.

The resources help adults recognise emotional challenges in children and respond confidently and compassionately.

Eileen Russell, Founder of WayMaker Child Therapy, said:

“As therapists, parents and caregivers, we recognise how important it is to equip children with gentle, reassuring tools to help them understand and process their emotions.

“The Little Bear series has been created to provide a calm, engaging narrative that supports children in navigating experiences such as grief, separation and emotional regulation, while also encouraging meaningful conversations within families around healing and hope.”

Eileen Russell, professional play therapist and founder of Ballymena-based WayMaker Child Therapy

She added:

“Through this support, we hope to help children feel safer in their emotions, less overwhelmed by big feelings and reassured that they are not facing difficult experiences alone.”

Flexible online access

The Little Bear website, developed as an extension of WayMaker’s therapeutic services, is freely accessible online, allowing children, families, and professionals to engage with the content at any time.

Each theme is reinforced with additional video content and practical resources to guide adults in supporting children effectively.

The initiative has been funded by Future Screens NI through the Department for Communities.

For more information or to watch the short animations, visit www.lovelittlebear.com.