Kia ora from Aotearoa. Originally from the UK, Ara now calls Auckland home where she lives with her husband and three children. As a qualified NZ & UK educator and facilitator, Ara currently works across the education sector with children, young people, families, professionals (teachers, psychologists, social workers) and schools from primary right through to secondary. She is also an accredited Ministry of Education (NZ) professional learning development facilitator. Ara has extensive experience in working in and with diverse communities. Of South Asian heritage, her work considers a culturally responsive approach that supports the best possible outcomes for children and young people. Ara also heads up Flourishing Minds which was set up to respond to the wellbeing needs she was seeing in schools and their respective communities. She works with both school staff, children, young people and whanau.
Ara sees resilience as a key part of her mahi/work. Being able to walk alongside and intentionally provide tools to be able to support any individual/s to be able to understand and manage their own wellbeing through out their lives, and in a way that makes sense in their world view, is a gift that we should all have access to. “Other people matter” is one of her favourite quotes from the arena of wellbeing science and something that drives Ara’s own meaning and purpose around what she does. Also a strong advocate for positive mental health, Ara is a trained first aider for Mental Health. Ara is currently working towards her CAPP (Certificate Applied Positive Psychology) before she pursues her PHD. She holds a variety of qualifications that includes an MA (Hons) Education. Ara is also a Pause, Breathe, Smile certified Educator which is the only NZ evidence based Mindfulness programme currently.