Meet the team at Play Included C.I.C.

Clinical Psychologist, Founder & Chief Product Officer

Gina founded Bricks for Autism (now Play Included) in 2018, supported by the Cambridge Social Ventures incubator programme, University of Cambridge. Having studied LEGO based therapy for her PhD at Cambridge University Autism Research Centre, Gina is co-author of the LEGO based therapy manual. Gina completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of East Anglia and has done PGCE teacher training. Gina continues to be involved with academic research as well as clinical practice in the NHS, specialising in autism and child and adolescent mental health. She has published several academic papers on LEGO based therapy, including for the I-SOCIALISE randomised control trial. She loves singing, cooking and travelling to Spain. She would like to do more gardening and pilates, but she also likes relaxing watching TV!  Gina is passionate about supporting every child’s development through play, including her own two children, who are also big fans of LEGO bricks.

Child & Educational Psychologist, Founder & Managing Director

Elinor has over 15 years’ experience supporting young people with special educational needs. She gained a doctorate in Child, Community and Educational Psychology from the University of Exeter in 2013. As part of her doctoral training, she researched the use of LEGO brick based therapy to support autistic young people in mainstream schools and has been training facilitators ever since. Working as an Educational Psychologist in a local authority since 2013, she brings her experience of supporting young people in educational settings to both the programme and organisation. Elinor loves playing with LEGO bricks and DUPLO at home with her own children.

Trainer & Community Engagement Co-ordinator

Abigail is a passionate facilitator and professional trainer. With over 25 years’ experience in training, development and coaching in sport, business, and education, she was trained by Gina in LEGO based therapy in 2016. Soon after she began running school and community-based Brick Clubs. Abigail has also been involved in the delivery of training for the I-SOCIALISE research trial, the first large-scale randomised controlled trial evaluating the Brick-by-Brick® programme. In her spare time she enjoys coaching cricket, cycling, and playing with LEGO models at home with her family.

Business Support Officer

Jane is an experienced Business Support professional with a background spanning multiple business sectors. She now brings her extensive expertise to Play Included, where she plays a key role in supporting the team’s operations. Outside of work, Jane serves as Adjutant for her local Air Cadet Squadron.  Jane loves to spend her free time travelling, walking, and exploring new hiking trails.

Product Owner

Jo has over 15 years experience in the digital space including several years in the sporting event management sector. Having spent the last two years working on the build of the Play Included platform from the agency side, it was a natural step to become part of the Play Included team as the Product Owner.

In her spare time she likes; Surfing, travelling, cooking, reading and walking her two crazy spaniels. Currently renovating a house and looks forward to returning to yoga practice when the renovation project is finished.