Written by Since September 2025 Louise Klarnett and Roselle Gillam been volunteering with the Magpie Project as part of our new Healing Community.
They offer a weekly clinic to our families ‘The Starling Clinic’. This is an open drop in, enabling mums to access when they feel they want. Sessions involve both Louise and Roselle working together using the touch-based practices of biodynamic craniosacral therapy and osteopathy to support Mums and their children under 5 (Minis).
In their first year this wonderful pair they have provided free treatment to more than 40 families – many of our mums choose to return for several sessions and others as a one off.
Many mums attend without clear expectations, encouraged by other mums, the project staff and volunteers. Mums and Minis frequently present with chronic trauma, often layered and complex which contributes to body pain and emotional distress. Pregnancy and birth experiences are frequently unresolved in both Mums and Minis.
Starling Clinic is a space created to feel safe, where mums can begin to relax as a result of being heard, helped and supported. Many have felt considerably better after treatment both physically and emotionally. As some Minis have significant health issues and special educational needs, having access to this kind of treatment, in a non judgemental space, has enabled some quite remarkable changes.
‘The shared experience between Mums and Minis shapes who they are – being “seen” and understood on a physical, emotional and spiritual level enables significant shifts towards health and supports their emotiona; bond. In children under 5 this is particularly important as it contributes to their lifelong development.’
To support their volunteering Louise and Roselle offer craniosacral therapy and osteopathy to the general public in the Robin Clinic, a separate clinic space within the Grassroots building.
If you require treatment for a specific physical or emotional concern or are simply curious about how these treatments can support your overall well-being, you are welcome to book an appointment at the Robin Clinic.
By booking a treatment for yourself, you are also supporting the Magpie Mums and Minis.
Find out more and book an appointment in Robin Clinic here: https://themagpieproject.org/healingcommunity/
Mama T’s story
Louise and Roselle first treated Mama T when she was 5 months post-partum. Her baby was breech and born by c-section. Ever since her baby’s birth Mama T had been suffering from low back pain and a digestive issue requiring medication.
Using light touch Louise and Roselle worked to support her body’s healing process.
On returning for her second treatment Mama T was no longer experiencing back pain and the stomach issue had improved to the degree that she no longer needed to take medication.
Louise and Roselle tell us that – because Magpie mums are oftgen under an enormous amount of stress – it is key to support regulation so that their bodies can find optimum health.
