Meet the Team

School of You was formed in 2022 by Simone and Kate, who met through a mutual friend and quickly recognised a shared mission, purpose and passion for creating meaningful change.

Rooted in connection, care, community and creativity, School of You has grown into an established Community Interest Company, delivering creative wellbeing programmes across a range of community settings with people of all ages.

We are delighted to have welcomed Dr Charlotte Hardacre as a new Director, bringing valuable research, learning disability and community insight to strengthen our work as we continue to grow.

Together, we look forward to continued partnerships with local councils, charities, community organisations and funders, helping us create inclusive spaces where people feel seen, supported and connected.


  • Simone is a BACP-registered counsellor, university lecturer, and co-founder of School of You.

    With a background supporting adults with additional needs alongside the NHS, Simone developed strong empathic and relational skills, which led her to qualify as a counsellor. She now works with individuals of all ages, supporting their mental health and wellbeing across a range of settings.

    Alongside her clinical work, Simone is a university lecturer teaching on a Counselling & Mental Health degree programme, where she supports and develops future practitioners.

    Simone’s approach is integrative and creative, combining a commitment to equity and wellbeing with innovative, accessible techniques that create a relaxed yet effective therapeutic environment. She is passionate about tailoring her work to meet the unique needs of each individual, ensuring people feel heard, supported, and empowered.

    She brings strengths in facilitation, psychoeducation, and programme development, helping to shape meaningful group experiences that foster connection and personal growth.

    Outside of her professional work, Simone enjoys singing, you’ll often find her around a campfire humming a tune or two.

  • Kate is a Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapist and an experienced primary school teacher. She developed a desire to help people with their mental health in 2020 when she realised that her own mental health was suffering & began to search for answers.

    She has a keen interest in the education system and how children can navigate it whilst maintaining good levels of motivation and self-esteem.

    Now, she continues to learn and practise ways to stay balanced, combat anxiety and remain open-minded and positive in an ever-changing, often volatile world.

    She uses the creative arts as a modality for people to explore self, alongside relaxation exercises, and information-sharing.

    She loves nothing more than facilitating group work and connecting with people of all ages and walks of life.

    Kate lives in Clitheroe, Lancashire with her husband and 2 children and she loves walking in the hills, dancing, and being outdoors with friends and family.

  • Charlotte is an interdisciplinary researcher with a passion for inclusion, learning, and community wellbeing.

    Her work focuses on supporting people with learning disabilities, families, and communities to access opportunities, feel heard, and meaningfully participate in everyday life. She is particularly interested in how research, digital inclusion, and co-creation can be used to improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

    Charlotte brings a thoughtful and reflective approach to her work, combining academic insight with a strong commitment to real-world impact. She values collaboration and believes that the best outcomes are created when people with lived experience are at the heart of decision-making.

    She is passionate about developing inclusive, evidence-informed approaches that support individuals to feel empowered, connected, and valued within their communities.

    In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys reading and connecting with friends.