Our Story

In the Spring of 2011, two Play Therapists named Helen Forrester and Linda Cuthbert were discussing over coffee the need for a child centred mental health Play Therapy Service in Midlothian.

Reaching out to fellow Play Therapists Kay Lamont and Lynn McSkimming, they decided to see if they could develop their idea to set up a service that supported children aged 3 to 14 years living in the Lothians.

On the 27th of June 2011 Play Therapy Base Limited was established and registered at Company House.

Helen, Linda, Lynn, and Kay identified a need to have a central base in Midlothian, and after some searching, they discovered Unit 11 Hardengreen Industrial Estate in Eskbank was vacant. With the help of their family members, investment of therapist funds and many, many hours of time, the four Play Therapists created a playroom and office space in the unit.

Within a few months the four therapists were being contacted by families and professionals asking them to work with children in local schools and within in the new playroom at Hardengreen.

The need for support grew and with this Play Therapy Base gained new staff and admin (initially on a voluntary basis) to help develop the service.

It became apparent that the service required a structure, and a Board of Trustees was established. On the 11th of May 2015 Play Therapy Base gained charity status with the objective to relieve the needs of children and young people suffering social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties by delivering child centred therapeutic services, specially Play Therapy & Filial Therapy and promoting high standards in the practice of Play Therapy for the public benefit.