About Us
where every story starts...
MakeBelieve Arts is a registered charity in England and Wales, championing children’s voices through story. We develop imaginative, inclusive approaches to early years education that nurture communication, confidence, emotional awareness, and a strong a sense of belonging.
For over 20 years, we’ve worked alongside educators, artists, and researchers to create engaging programmes that transform classrooms and place story at the heart of children’s learning.
We are the charity behind Helicopter Stories, a nationally recognised approach inspired by the pioneering work of Vivian Gussin Paley, bringing storytelling and story acting into early years settings across the UK and beyond.
To explore our programmes in more detail, visit our dedicated website.
“MakeBelieve Arts create learning that is inclusive, accessible, and profoundly respectful of how children naturally make sense of the world. Their work reflects exactly what neuroscience tells us: that story, movement, and play ignite the brain’s deepest systems for connection and growth.”
Dr Jacqueline Harding
Child development expert and author of 'The Brain That Loves to Play'.
Our Story
We believe every child has the right to hear stories, and the need to tell stories, to be listened to, and to know their voice matters.
Story is how we make sense of the world, build empathy, and discover our place within it. It’s fundamental to how we grow as emotionally connected human beings.
MakeBelieve Arts began with this belief at its heart. Inspired by the legacy of Vivian Gussin Paley, we’ve spent over two decades putting story at the centre of early years education.
Through storytelling, drama, and poetry, we support children’s language development, emotional literacy, and growing confidence, while helping early years practitioners to nurture every child’s unique voice.
From small beginnings, our work now reaches thousands of early years practitioners across the UK and is embedded in classrooms as far afield as Spain, Thailand, New Zealand, and beyond.
Everything we create begins with story, and with the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Everything we create begins with story, and with the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Find out more
Vivian Gussin Paley was a pioneering educator and author of 13 publications, including The Boy Who Would Be a Helicopter. Her deep belief that every child deserves to be listened to, transformed early years education and laid the foundations for our work.
Vivian was Patron of MakeBelieve Arts until her death in 2019, and a friend and mentor to our Artistic Director, Trisha Lee. Her story acting approach lives on in Helicopter Stories.
We are proud to carry her legacy forward - one story at a time.
Meet the team
We’re a small but passionate team of educators, artists, and creatives.
Trisha Lee
Trisha founded MakeBelieve Arts in 2002 with one clear belief: that story belongs at the heart of every classroom. She leads the artistic direction of the charity, creating programmes that help children find their voice through storytelling, poetry, and drama. A writer, speaker, and lifelong advocate for creative education, Trisha is happiest when dreaming up new stories and poems, then sharing them with children who bring them to life.
Isla Hill
Isla has been with MakeBelieve Arts since the very beginning. A qualified primary teacher with a Master’s in Theatre Education, she combines deep classroom knowledge with a passion for helping children thrive through story. Isla leads on all things educational, from training and mentoring to programme development. She is most content sitting on the floor with a stack of A5 paper, a pen in hand, and a child beside her, ready to tell their story.
Bill Moody
Bill has been the steady hand behind MakeBelieve Arts since 2016. He manages our day-to-day operations, including finance, bookings, and systems, keeping everything running smoothly and efficiently. Alongside his core role, Bill also documents much of our work through photography and film, helping to capture our programmes in action. With a background in writing and performance, he brings a sharp eye and thoughtful attention to detail to every aspect of our work.
Our Board of Trustees
Our board brings together deep experience in early years education, children’s literature, and inclusive practice. They help shape our vision and keep our work grounded in what matters most, children’s voices.
- Glenys Ingham (Chair) – Former primary headteacher with a lifelong commitment to inclusive, child-centred learning
- Debby Thacker – Children’s literature expert and retired tutor from the University of Gloucestershire
- Bonnie Mendoza – Deputy Head with hands-on experience teaching Nursery and Reception
- Karen Hadfield – Early Years teacher based in Croydon with a passion for storytelling and creative learning
- Kym Scott – Consultant and keynote speaker specialising in early childhood education and leadership, working across the UK and internationally
