Meet the team at Play Included C.I.C.
A small team with a big ambition
We are a small team of experts working together to make a big difference. Between us, we have many years of experience in clinical and educational psychology, child mental health, teaching and neurodiversity. We love to learn and continue to carry out academic research to advance the knowledge base for our programmes.
HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist, Founder & Director
Dr. Gina Gómez de la Cuesta
Dr. Gina Gomez de la Cuesta
Clinical Psychologist, Founder & Director
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.
HCPC registered Child & Educational Psychologist, Director
Dr Elinor Brett
Dr. Elinor Brett
Child & Educational Psychologist, Director
Elinor has over 10 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 bricks 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.
Senior Business Manager
Sarah Lee
Sarah Lee
Senior Business Manager
After her degree in English and Philosophy, Sarah naturally started her career in Public Health! She worked in Public Health in the West Midlands for six years, obtaining a Master’s in Public Health and specialising in Public Health and Sustainable Development. She then went on to work for The Minister for Care Services in the Department of Health in Whitehall as one of his Private Secretaries, leading on his portfolio areas for carers, older people, dementia, end of life care, child and adolescent mental health and protection of vulnerable adults. Prior to starting work at Play Included, Sarah had been working at a busy Marketing Agency for five and a half years. As Business Manager she had oversight and management across the finance, HR and operational functions. Having now brought those skills with her to Play Included, Sarah is excited to work at a CIC which focuses on positive outcomes for children.
Senior Partnerships Manager
Benjamin Huaman
Benjamin Huaman
Senior Partnerships Manager
Benjamin has extensive experience in a variety of industries, and has worked in the UK, the US, Europe and Latin America. He was Head of Commercial Projects for Penguin Random House and more recently Strategic Partner Manager for Google. Benjamin holds an MBA from Stanford University and for the past couple of years has been taking introductory courses to psychotherapy at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. He is an avid reader and passionate surfer, and was born and grew up in Peru. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
HCPC Registered Educational Psychologist, Senior Psychologist & Programme Lead
Dr. Jean McPherson
Dr. Jean McPherson
Senior Psychologist & Programme Lead
Jean’s passion to create positive change for children has shaped her career direction. She has worked across education, family, and research settings, both in the UK and internationally. Starting out as a primary school teacher, Jean’s further study and training led to her complete her Masters in Inclusion and Special Educational Needs and, later, her doctorate in Educational Child Psychology. Prior to working with Play Included, Jean worked as a School Psychologist in Hong Kong, where she really enjoyed running Brick Clubs! In her spare time, Jean loves going on adventures, BBQs, swimming, and spending time with her family.
Research & Evaluation Lead
Dr. Margaret Laurie
Dr. Margaret Laurie
Research & Evaluation Lead
Margaret (also known as Maggi) completed a PhD at the University of Edinburgh looking at the role of digital technology to support social play in autistic children. After continuing research at Edinburgh on learning through play in science museums, she then worked at the LEGO Foundation, developing formative tools to support teachers' implementation of learning through play in low-income settings, and learning about quality play from children's perspectives. Maggi's role at Play Included will involve building evidence on Brick Clubs and learning through play, and establishing new research partnerships. In her spare time, Maggi likes to bag Scottish Munros, hang out in coffee shops, and read dystopian fiction.
Trainer & Community Engagement Co-ordinator
Abigail Dodson
Abigail Dodson
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 Snook
Jane Snook
Business Support Officer
Jane is an experienced Business Support Officer and has worked across various business sectors before bringing her expertise to Play Included. She divides her spare time between her role as Adjutant for her local Air Cadet Squadron and rescuing German Shepherds.
Free LEGO activities to play at home
Play together at home and support your child
