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Elena Miller is an associate artist with Blue Cabin (the charity which delivers Creative Life Story Work) and has devised a lot of the bitesize creative activities that you’ll find on the website. Like all our associate artists, Elena has lots of experience in working with children and young people in a collaborative, trauma-informed way. Here, she shares some tips on how you can help people explore their life story in ways which are inclusive, creative and empowering.
Hello! My name is Elena Joy Miller! I’m a performer, storyteller, clown and creative practitioner. My passion lies in using art, play, and imagination to help children and young people share their stories in ways that feel safe, meaningful, and true to them. As an associate artist with Blue Cabin, I have the privilege of working alongside care-experienced children, their carers, other practitioners, and fellow creatives to explore inclusive, creative approaches to life story work.
In my practice, I focus on creating gentle, playful spaces where children can express themselves freely – often through colour, texture, movement, music and/or sensory materials. I’ve learned that creativity opens doors that words sometimes can’t, and it allows young people to find their own way to tell their story.
For children and young people who have spent time in care, understanding and sharing their life story can be a powerful part of healing and self-discovery. But it can also feel daunting or overwhelming. That’s why creative and playful approaches can make such a difference – they help transform what might feel difficult into something empowering, expressive, and even joyful.
Before diving into the deeper parts of life story work, it’s important to build a sense of safety and trust. In my Live Classroom on 18 March 2026, I will share fun and imaginative icebreaker activities designed to gently open the door to a child’s world. These small moments of play can help children relax, express themselves freely, and begin to feel that their story – and their way of sharing it – truly matters.
Traditional life story work often focuses on talking or writing – but that isn’t always the easiest way for children to express themselves. A high percentage of care-experienced children and young people have additional needs, and it’s vital that the methods we use reflect that diversity.
By introducing different types of art, storytelling, Makaton, and communication aids, we create multiple pathways for expression. Whether it’s making slime as a vehicle for talking about feelings, using symbols to represent memories, or sharing ideas through movement or play, these creative tools make space for every voice.
As the Live Classroom unfolds, you’ll discover practical, inclusive exercises that make life story work not only more accessible, but also more enjoyable. By turning creative exploration into a shared experience, we can help young people build confidence, find their voice, and take ownership of their stories.
When using art and creativity in life story work, the goal isn’t to make something “beautiful” or “finished.” What matters most is the process – the moments of exploration, choice, and discovery that happen along the way.
My Live Classroom will encourage practitioners to move away from a “product-driven” mindset and instead see creativity as a journey. The marks, materials, and ideas that emerge in the moment can often reveal more about a child’s inner world than a polished outcome ever could.
By focusing on the process, we give children permission to experiment, to change their minds, and to find joy in simply creating – not in trying to “get it right.”
Another key theme of this session is the idea of using a non-praise approach. For some young people, especially those who have experienced trauma, praise can feel uncomfortable or even inauthentic – something that places pressure on performance rather than presence.
Instead of saying “That’s beautiful!” or “Good job!”, practitioners can respond with curiosity and connection:
“I noticed you used a lot of blue there – how does that colour feel to you?”
“You worked really carefully on that part. What made you want to add it?”
This kind of response helps children feel seen and understood for who they are and what they’re expressing, not judged or evaluated for how well they’ve “done.” It shifts the focus from approval to authentic engagement.
Life story work isn’t about teaching or instructing a young person – it’s about travelling alongside them. We will explore how adults can step into a shared creative space with curiosity, openness, and humility.
Rather than leading with expertise, we can approach creative work as a collaborative journey, where we learn together and follow the young person’s lead. This way of working helps build trust and equality, showing the child that their ideas, choices, and stories truly matter.
Join us in the Live Classroom to discover new ways to express, create, and connect – turning life story work into a journey of shared discovery and joy.
Thank you Elena for this insight into creative, playful and accessible ways to explore life story work!
Elena will lead an online Live Classroom on Wednesday 18 March 2026, all about inclusive, creative and playful methods for helping children and young people explore their life stories. It’s open to everyone and you can book a ticket here>>.
Elena has always been amazed at the power that the arts can have to bring change – whether that be to convey a message, allow voices to be heard or build confidence and abilities.
She has been honoured to be part of the Creative Life Story Work programme with Blue Cabin. She also has her own arts business, Star Bright Arts, which supports health and wellbeing through creative activities for children and young people, with a strong focus on sensory storytelling and play.
Elena lives with her teenage son just north of Newcastle in a teeny town called Seaton Burn. She can often be found making up daft songs on her ukulele, trying to remember important football facts and genuinely enjoying cold coffee!
