Charity partners with Confidence Coach to deliver powerful storytelling sessions

When Lexi Heselwood, Communications Manager at Children

Today Charitable Trust, first met Cat Williams, director of Building Your Confidence Ltd, at a Chamber of Commerce Round the Table networking event, she was instantly captivated by Cat’s ability to immerse her audience in a story.

Fast forward several months and a few serendipitous meetings later at other Chamber events, the pair struck up a conversation about an exciting new project the charity was planning: Reading for Life—a series of inclusive storytelling sessions for primary schoolaged children featuring top authors and illustrators. The sessions were delivered online and were designed to raise awareness of disability and neurodiversity while celebrating inclusion and diversity. Lexi explains: “We’re a small team of just five passionate people, and being such a small charity, we knew we’d need extra capacity to deliver the storytelling sessions. These events are all about spreading awareness, resonating with children, and inspiring them. It was essential to have someone who truly understands how to connect with young audiences—and Cat was the perfect fit to host it for us.”

Since the initiative launched in December 2024, more than 1,800 children from schools across Cheshire West—and even as far afield as the Netherlands—have taken part. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants describing the events as “very inspiring” and “powerful in supporting children and helping them to see they're not alone.”

The charity has also donated 100 copies of the featured books to both schools and individual families, extending the programme’s reach far beyond the events themselves.

Cat, who has hosted the sessions with her signature warmth and enthusiasm, shares her perspective: “It was an absolute delight to host these events for Children Today. Storytelling is such an important part of our everyday lives. The stories we tell ourselves and the stories others tell us,

Clay Connections Ltd, co-founded by Simon Sutton, added: “Working with the Hospice team was a real pleasure. A team effort helped make the day a success and having a photographer like Ian, who understands sport, really elevated the event. The Chamber helped spark those connections and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together. “

Justin Caroe, Head of Fundraising at the Hospice, added: “This event raised an incredible sum for the Hospice and wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Ian Cooper Photography and Clay Connections. We’re incredibly grateful to the local business community and the Chamber for helping to make this a success.” n L to R - Lexi Heselwood, from Children Today, with host Cat hugely affect how we think and behave and the confidence we have in ourselves.”

The full range of story sessions can be viewed online at: www.youtube.com /@ChildrenTodayUK/videos

To find out more about Children Today visit: www.childrentoday.org.uk

For more information about Building Your Confidence Ltd visit: www.buildingyourconfidence.com