Origins

The programme was originally conceived by Laura Huxley, widow of the writer Aldous Huxley, in the late 1970s in California, USA. Laura developed deep concerns for disadvantaged children, their capacity to fulfill their human potential and their earliest relationship experiences.

Laura's rationale for the Teens and Toddlers Programme was that, 'the greatest gifts life has to offer are sound health and good relationships - with ourselves, our community and our environment. Unfortunately, both health and relationships are often undermined through our childhood and adolescence, when we are still dependent and most vulnerable. The largest portion of human suffering - illness, loneliness, a lack of meaning, anti-social behaviour - would be greatly diminished if we lived in harmony and love...If they [young people]  were to live in a loving state of consciousness, the benefit would be universal'.

With this rationale, Teens and Toddlers was dedicated to the 'nurturing of the possible human'.

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Lady Diana Whitmore

Whilst the original Teens and Toddlers programme was the brainchild of Laura Huxley, it was her friend and mentee, Lady Diana Whitmore, who brought the programme to the UK and has been the driving force behind the its growth ever since.

Diana founded the Psychosynthesis Trust over 25 years ago and has served as President ever since. Diana also:

• is an accredited member of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapists and a British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Accredited Supervisor
• teaches positive psychology and transpersonal coaching for Performance Coach MSc in Coaching and Development (Portsmouth University)
• is the author of two books, Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action and Psychosynthesis in Education: A Guide to the Joy of Learning

With this experience, Diana has been able to draw upon a deep understanding of positive psychology and the flourishing effect it can have upon young people.

After moving to the UK and seeing the social exclusion of young people in London, Diana realised that the Teens and Toddlers programme could address this issue.

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Launch

Children our Ultimate Investment, UK was founded by Lady Diana Whitmore in 2001 to address the social exclusion of disadvantaged young people in London. In 2011, we changed the name to Teens and Toddlers in line with our flagship programme. We now run a range of programmes, which inspire disadvantaged young people to achieve the life skills, qualifications and self belief they need to succeed in school, work and life.

Our ultimate aim is for all young people to feel valued, included and inspired to contribute to their communities. Since our launch we have reached over 16,000 children and young people, with plans to reach many more.