Willow was founded by Lorraine Payne, a qualified teacher with a Master’s degree in Special Educational Needs (SEN), who has over 22 years’ experience as a SENCO working with children and young people aged 3–19.
Lorraine recognised that despite schools’ best efforts, many children with complex and overlapping needs—such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety—were not receiving the support they required. Her research during her Master’s studies highlighted that anxiety is a common thread across special educational needs, often preventing young people from learning and thriving. Lorraine created the ‘Sky Room’ at a Warwickshire independent school, a nurture-based space where children could regulate, rest, and re-engage in learning.
Building on this success, Lorraine founded Willow to reach the many young people who cannot access education or community life due to anxiety and unmet needs. Lorraine began supporting families directly, often working with children who had not left their bedrooms for months. Through creativity, nurture, and strength-based learning, she helped them rediscover hope, confidence, and a love for learning. Willow has now grown into a dedicated centre at Hatton Technology Park, Warwickshire. This converted barn includes a small gym, pop up kitchen, chill-out zone, and creative spaces, set in beautiful grounds for outdoor activities. The centre offers safe, one-to-one sessions for young people with their tutor or parent, and has become a hub of creativity and community—connecting families both in person and virtually. Willow teachers promote self-knowledge, self-awareness, self-care, self-advocacy, and self-actualisation. They exist to help young people rediscover who they are, develop resilience, and ultimately thrive as contributors to society.
There is an urgent and growing need for support. Many young people are not able to access school and wider community life, some without EHCPs or with minimal funding. Anxiety and sensory overwhelm prevent them from joining clubs, accessing extracurricular activities, or even going on family holidays. Parents are exhausted, often having to give up work to become full-time carers, and many describe feeling broken after years of fighting for support.
Willow provides an alternative. Families are welcomed into the centre alongside their children, with spaces where both young people and parents can feel safe. Plans include a coffee bar and weekend sessions to provide nurturing out-of-home experiences for whole families. Technology, arts, and cooking are central pillars of the approach, enabling young people to explore passions, develop skills, and connect with others.
We support young people aged 3–25 and their families, focusing particularly on those with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. These are children and young adults who cannot access traditional education or community life due to overwhelming barriers. Our model begins with one-to-one provision, often alongside a parent, with the long-term aim of gently building social opportunities at each young person’s pace.
Our vision is to secure sustainable funding to ensure that young people can access Willow regardless of whether they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Too many children and families are left unsupported and unable to afford private provision. We believe that some of the brightest minds of the future are currently hidden behind bedroom doors.
Our mission is to be a hub of creativity, nurture, and opportunity. We are not a school or a traditional alternative provision—we are a safe, innovative space where young people and families can flourish. We aim to grow our team and expand our offer to include evening and weekend sessions. Our mission is to provide project-based, interactive learning experiences that honour each young person’s strengths and passions.
If you own, work for or know a business that would like to support us in our mission, please get in touch!