Meet the Sowing Seeds Wellbeing directors
Rachel Girling.
Bradford-born Rachel Girling is the Founder and Director of Sowing Seeds, an award-winning, inclusive provision born from both professional experience and heartfelt conviction. Sowing Seeds was not simply created as a service, it was grown from Rachel’s deep belief that every individual deserves to feel safe, understood and valued.
After completing her PGCE, Rachel began her teaching journey in Australia. Teaching overseas broadened her perspective and profoundly shaped her educational ethos. She experienced first-hand how learning could be diversified, creative and fluid taking place both indoors and outdoors, in classrooms and in community spaces. This early experience reinforced her belief that education should not be confined by walls, but enriched by environment, flexibility and connection.
Rachel also taught in South Wales before returning to Bradford, where she worked in inner-city schools supporting diverse communities with complex needs. She later taught in a large secondary school in Leeds and at Leeds College of Building, further strengthening her understanding of both academic and vocational pathways.
Across her career, Rachel has held a wide range of professional roles, including Primary Transition Lead, Literacy Coordinator, Writing Coordinator, Head of English, GCSE Examiner and Assistant Principal for Achievement and Student Experience.
Throughout these roles, Rachel consistently placed student voice at the centre of decision-making. She championed opportunities for young people to shape their own educational experiences, particularly through enrichment and extra-curricular activities beyond the classroom. She listened carefully to what students (as well as parents and carers) were telling her, especially their increasing need for emotional support and mental health provision, something that became even more evident following the Covid-19 pandemic. Hearing these voices and recognising the growing pressures on young people and attendance, Rachel realised that more could and should be done.
During her time in mainstream education, she also witnessed the challenges that many children and young people faced within traditional systems. Although she worked alongside passionate and committed professionals, she recognised that rigid structures were not always flexible enough to meet the needs of individuals with SEND, SEMH needs or additional vulnerabilities. Too often, capable young people felt misunderstood or unable to access learning in a way that felt safe. Over time, this could lead to disengagement, reduced self-worth and, in some cases, trauma associated with school.
Rachel knew there had to be a different way — one rooted in compassion, understanding and authentic relationships.
Sowing Seeds Wellbeing was founded in February 2023 to be the provision she wished had existed for the individuals and families she supported to promote mental health and wellbeing and access to support and service. A place where wellbeing truly comes before attainment, where relationships matter more than results, and where each person’s strengths are recognised and gently nurtured. From its earliest days, Sowing Seeds has been shaped by the belief that growth happens when people feel secure enough to flourish.
Under Rachel’s leadership, Sowing Seeds has grown into an award-winning organisation known for its inclusive ethos, specialist support and bespoke alternative provision pathways. The service now supports children, young people, adults and members of the wider community ensuring that everyone who walks through the door feels welcomed, respected and capable of progress (however this may look).
Rachel’s passion for inclusive and alternative education extends beyond Sowing Seeds itself. She proudly serves as a Committee Member for Bradford Inclusive Disability Service and as a Steering Group Member for ALIGN (Alternative Learning Group Network). Through these roles, she champions the importance of specialist, non-school settings working in partnership with schools, local authorities and individuals accessing EOTAS (Education Other Than At School). She believes wholeheartedly that alternative provision is not a last resort, but a powerful opportunity for individuals to rebuild confidence, rediscover their strengths and re-engage with learning in a way that feels right for them.
Family remains at the centre of everything Rachel does. She understands that when a child or young person is struggling, the ripple effect is felt across the whole household. Parents and carers often carry immense emotional weight, navigating uncertainty and advocating tirelessly for their loved one. Rachel believes that families deserve the same level of empathy, communication and support as the individuals accessing provision.
This is why Sowing Seeds Wellbeing works through a carefully nurtured partnership between the individual, their family and professionals. Through open communication, early review points and responsive adjustments, the team ensures that support evolves as needs change. This thoughtful, triangulated approach allows families to feel informed, involved and reassured — not just supported for today, but empowered for the future..
Rachel has an incredible team working with her and they lead with warmth, integrity and authenticity. Her vision remains simple yet powerful: to remove barriers, restore confidence and create spaces where individuals can feel safe enough to grow.
At its heart, Sowing Seeds Wellbeing reflects Rachel’s unwavering belief that when we nurture the whole person and embrace the whole family, we sow seeds (pun intended!) that will continue to flourish long into the future.
Laura Jackson.
Laura Jackson’s journey into advocacy and inclusive support began at home, in Bradford, through her lived experience of raising children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She knows the challenges families face firsthand—navigating complex systems, striving for the best outcomes, and often feeling unheard or unsupported.
Laura became Director of Sowing Seeds Wellbeing CIC in February 2023, bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience in supporting individuals with additional needs.
Laura’s work is deeply informed by her lived experience of supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Through her personal journey of navigating SEND services and striving to achieve the very best outcomes for her own children, she recognised the significant gaps in provision and support that many families face. This inspired her determination to reduce barriers and make access to services easier, more inclusive, and responsive for others.
For Laura, supporting a child is never just about the individual—it’s about the whole family. She understands the emotional and practical pressures that siblings, parents, and carers experience and recognises the critical importance of mental health and wellbeing for everyone in the household. Her approach is rooted in compassion and empathy, aiming to provide support that empowers families, strengthens connections, and fosters resilience.
Her insight into care and support extends beyond children. Laura has experience supporting family members with dementia and has worked in a care home supporting individuals with dementia, strokes, and other disabilities. This background has further enhanced her awareness of the diverse needs of both children and adults, giving her a holistic understanding of how support, inclusion, and wellbeing intersect across all stages of life.
Alongside her directorship, Laura is Committee Chair for Bradford Inclusive Disability Services, where she actively advocates for accessibility, inclusion, and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She works collaboratively with families and professionals to ensure services are shaped by the voices of those who use them and to promote equality and participation in the wider community.
Since taking on the role of Director, Laura has focused on developing Sowing Seeds Wellbeing CIC as a welcoming, community-led organisation that prioritises emotional wellbeing, early support, and inclusive practice. She believes strongly in the power of connection, early intervention, and community collaboration to help individuals build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Laura’s leadership is rooted in compassion, lived experience, and a genuine commitment to removing barriers so that every child, young person, and adult can access the support they need to thrive.
Supporting Families in our Community
Our welcoming, flexible centre is available to hire for one-off or regular events, with four bright, spacious rooms and additional equipment to suit your needs. From a fully equipped sensory space to an open room for yoga, fitness, or creative sessions, we’ll prepare the space to work for you.
The centre is primarilly home to Sowing Seeds Wellbeing, supporting individuals with SEND, their families, and the wider community through inclusive spaces that nurture positive mental health, wellbeing, and connection.
Would you like to get involved or find out more?