Neuro Dramatic Play®

Neuro Dramatic Play® (NDP) was created and developed by Dr Sue Jennings. NDP emphasises the importance of the attachment process from conception to six months after the birth. Furthermore, Neuro-Dramatic-Play® emphasises that attachment is a playful and interactive process and involves the 'as if' between mother and newborn child (the dramatic response), where the baby is immediately trying to imitate the expression on the mother's face.

Neuro-Dramatic-Play® includes sensory, rhythmic and dramatic play and shows how they are intrinsic to the development of healthy attachments. NDP can be introduced at any age from infants to older people where there is attachment deficit or trauma. It can be applied wherever there is a need for re-parenting and repair, both with individuals and with groups.

Roots and Routes: NDP Summer School UK 2026

An 18-hour Friday-Sunday certificate training in Neuro-Dramatic Play, nature, story and creative practice

Dates: 21–23 August 2026

Location: Near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales

Price: From £495

Group size: Maximum 24 participants

Certificate: NDP Routes and Roots Certificate awarded

To book or request further details:
Phone: 01934 815163
Email: actionwork@gmail.com

Brought to you by ndpltd.org and actionwork.com

A rare UK Neuro-Dramatic Play summer school

Roots and Routes: NDP Summer School UK is a three-day creative training experience led by Dr Sue Jennings and Dr Andy Hickson, exploring Neuro-Dramatic Play through body, rhythm, role, story, nature, imagination and reflective practice.

Taking place near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog in Wales, this 18-hour Friday–Sunday summer school has been designed as an accessible UK alternative for those who are drawn to the depth, adventure and experiential learning of NDP in the Jungle, but who may not be able to travel internationally.

This is not a standard classroom course. It is a practical, embodied and nature-connected training weekend for people who want to learn through doing, moving, reflecting, making, playing and experiencing.

Led by Dr Sue Jennings and Dr Andy Hickson

The training is led by Dr Sue Jennings, (internationally recognised for her pioneering work in Neuro-Dramatic Play, dramatherapy, play, embodiment and creative approaches to human development), and Dr Andy Hickson (Social Theatre pioneer, theatre Director, NDP Specialist Trainer and jungle guide).

Across the weekend, Sue and Andy will guide participants through practical NDP-based activity, reflection and creative exploration, with a focus on how play, body, story and imagination support communication, development and human connection.

What is Neuro-Dramatic Play?

Neuro-Dramatic Play, often known as NDP, explores the early foundations of play, attachment, communication, rhythm, embodiment, sensory experience, role and imagination.

Before children communicate mainly through words, they communicate through body, sound, movement, touch, rhythm, gesture, imitation, emotional exchange and playful interaction. NDP helps practitioners understand and work creatively with these early forms of communication.

During this summer school, participants will explore NDP through practical creative methods including:

- movement and embodied play
- rhythm, sound and sensory awareness
- object play and symbolic imagination
- story-making and role
- nature-based creative response
- reflective practice
- practical application for professional settings

A creative summer school in nature

Roots and Routes combines specialist NDP training with the feeling of a small, creative summer school.

Participants will take part in practical workshops, woodland learning, creative reflection, group activities and a full creative adventure day making use of the landscape near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog.

The natural environment becomes part of the training: paths, trees, shelter, weather, sound, rhythm, distance, threshold and return all become prompts for creative learning.

The weekend is designed to be professional, warm, practical, memorable and rooted in experience.

What makes this training different?

Roots and Routes brings together:

- Neuro-Dramatic Play with Dr Sue Jennings and Dr Andy Hickson
- woodland and nature-based learning
- embodied movement, rhythm and sensory awareness
- story, role, object play and imagination
- a creative adventure day near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog
- small-group learning with a maximum of 24 participants
- full-board catering from Friday supper to Sunday lunch
- practical methods that can be taken back into your own work
- an NDP Routes and Roots Certificate on completion

This is a training for people who want more than theory. It is for people who want to experience, reflect, practice and return to their own work with new creative tools.

Who is it for?

This training is suitable for practitioners, students and professionals interested in play, drama, child development, education, therapeutic-style creative work, outdoor learning, social theatre and community practice.

It may be especially relevant for:

teachers
teaching assistants
SENCOs
playworkers
youth workers
early years practitioners
drama teachers
theatre practitioners
social theatre practitioners
outdoor educators
family support workers
community artists
counsellors and therapists interested in creative approaches
students and trainees in relevant fields

You do not need to be an experienced performer. The focus is on creative practice, embodied learning, play, story, nature and reflection.

What you will explore

Across the weekend, participants will explore:

- the foundations of Neuro-Dramatic Play
- body, rhythm, gesture and early communication
- sensory play and embodied awareness
- object play and symbolic imagination
- how nature and outdoor spaces can support creative learning
- story-making through place, movement and image
- safe and ethical use of NDP-informed creative practice
- how to adapt simple NDP activities for your own setting

The training will include a mixture of practical workshops, outdoor activity, discussion, reflection, creative tasks and personal/professional integration.

The Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog adventure element

One part of the summer school will make creative use of the landscape near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog.

This is not an extreme expedition or survival challenge. It is a carefully held creative learning experience using landscape, walking, sensory awareness, story, rhythm, image and group reflection.

Participants should expect some outdoor activity and should come prepared for changeable weather. Full joining instructions will be sent before the event, including guidance on clothing, footwear and anything participants should bring.

What is included?

The course fee includes:

18 hours of training across Friday, Saturday and Sunday
training led by Dr Sue Jennings and Dr Andy Hickson
full-board catering from Friday supper to Sunday lunch
creative adventure / outdoor learning element
course workbook or field journal
NDP Routes and Roots Certificate awarded on completion
small-group learning with a maximum of 24 participants

Accommodation is not included. Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and travel to and from the main venue. Details of local accommodation, hotels, B&B and camping will be sent to participants after booking.

Dates, price and booking

Dates: 21–23 August 2026

Location: Near the Brecon Beacons / Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales

Early bird price: From £495 (Book before 26th June 2026)

Standard price: £595

Maximum places: 24

Places are limited and are confirmed once full payment has been received.

To book or request further details:

Phone: 01934 815163
Email: actionwork@gmail.com

Payment is by bank transfer.

All bookings are subject to the Actionwork booking policy.

A UK alternative to NDP in the Jungle

Roots and Routes has been created for people who are drawn to the depth, adventure and experiential learning of NDP in the Jungle, but who may not be able to travel internationally or meet the full cost of an overseas training experience.

This UK summer school carries the spirit of embodied, story-rich and nature-connected learning into a Welsh landscape, creating a powerful and accessible weekend of practice, reflection and professional development.

Book your place

To book or request further information, contact Actionwork:

Phone: + (0)1934 815163
Email: actionwork@gmail.com