The Life Skills Mentoring Academy (TLSMA) is a UK-based organization dedicated to supporting children, young people, and families through trauma-informed, person-centred mentoring and coaching. Based in Norfolk, TLSMA offers a range of services aimed at enhancing mental health, building confidence, and fostering personal growth. 

 

Core Services and Approach

 

TLSMA provides various support services, including: 

 

1:1 Mentoring and Coaching: Personalized sessions tailored to individual needs.

 

Recovery Toolkit Sessions: Structured programs designed to aid in emotional and psychological recovery.

 

Workshops: Group sessions focusing on skill development and personal growth. 

 

The academy emphasizes trauma-informed care, integrating therapeutic coaching and wellbeing sessions that draw from multiple therapeutic approaches to empower individuals to improve their overall wellbeing.  

 

Specialized Support Areas

 

TLSMA specializes in several key areas to address diverse needs: 

 

Creative Support: Utilizing creative methods to engage and support clients.

 

Life Stories: Helping individuals articulate and understand their personal narratives.

 

Adoption and Fostering Support: Providing guidance and assistance for those involved in adoption and fostering.

 

Therapeutic Parenting: Offering strategies and support for parents to foster healthy relationships.

 

Yoga for Kids, Mindfulness, and Meditation: Incorporating holistic practices to promote mental and physical wellbeing.  

 

Organizational Background

 

Founded in 2021, TLSMA operates as a self-employed venture led by a single individual, reflecting a personalized and dedicated approach to mentoring.

 

If you're located anywhere in the UK and are seeking similar support services, TLSMA's offerings may be accessible remotely or through regional partnerships. 

 

At The Life Skills Mentoring Academy (TLSMA), two key figures—Laura Darby and Tina King—bring extensive experience and specialized training to their roles, offering trauma-informed support to children, young people, and families. 

 

Laura Darby — CEO, Director & Founder

 

Laura Darby is the founder and CEO of TLSMA, bringing over 15 years of experience in child development, safeguarding, and trauma-informed care. Her career began in 2009 at a Children’s Centre, progressing to roles such as Family Support Worker and Senior Family Support Worker, where she worked closely with vulnerable families. She holds a Foundation Degree in Management of Care and a Certificate in Person-Centred Counselling. 

 

In 2014, Laura transitioned to law enforcement, serving as a Case Investigator in the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIU) and as a Special Constable, achieving the rank of Special Sergeant. She later worked as a Specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) at a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), focusing on individuals under 21 who had experienced sexual abuse. During this time, she completed a Master’s Degree in Psychology and Law: Child Forensic Studies, along with qualifications in Family Therapy and Trauma. 

 

Laura founded TLSMA in 2021 to provide comprehensive support to individuals who have experienced various forms of trauma, particularly young people facing significant challenges. She also serves as the Chair for Norfolk at Crimestoppers, leading efforts to reduce crime rates. 

 

Her approach integrates therapeutic coaching and wellbeing sessions, combining principles from different therapeutic modalities to address trauma's impact on behaviour and mental health. She specializes in supporting under-18s, focusing on areas such as trauma-informed care, children's mental health, and harmful sexual behaviour.  

 

Tina King — Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Life Coach

 

Tina King is a Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Life Coach at TLSMA, with nearly 20 years of professional experience working with children and adults. Her background includes serving as a police detective, where she gained extensive experience working with individuals affected by sexual abuse and trauma, as well as navigating the criminal justice system. This role provided her with a deep understanding of the barriers families face and the impact of trauma on individuals. 

 

After her tenure in law enforcement, Tina worked therapeutically with children who had been sexually abused, along with their siblings and parents/carers. She also supported children disengaged from education due to behavioural or medical needs, helping them build self-esteem and emotional wellbeing. 

 

Tina's areas of specialization include sexual abuse, mental health, crisis prevention and intervention, and trauma-informed support. Her approach is solution-focused, aiming to bring about positive change by equipping individuals with skills to build resilience and self-worth.  

 

Together, Laura and Tina co-founded TLCoaching in October 2023, expanding their services to support adults, families, and groups. Their combined expertise allows them to offer comprehensive, trauma-informed care tailored to individual needs.