Building relationships with others is one of life’s greatest joys.

Connection looks different for everyone but meaningful relationships matter to us all.

Those connections, whether at school, work or in everyday life, play a big role in our sense of wellbeing, belonging and feeling understood.

For some people, connection can feel more complicated or less intuitive, particularly in environments that are fast-paced or socially demanding. This might show up as a child finding it hard to connect with peers, an adolescent feeling misunderstood or out of step or an adult feeling worn out by social situations.

At Connect at York, we take time to slow things down and look more closely at what is happening in real interactions. We pay attention to how interactions unfold between people, what is happening in different settings and where things tend to feel misaligned.

An important part of this work is recognising that connection is not about fitting in everywhere or being friends with everyone. It is about finding relationships that feel like a good fit and people and spaces where you can be yourself.

Sometimes this involves noticing patterns in conversation or group situations. Sometimes it is about navigating differences, managing conflict or finding ways to express what you need that feel more comfortable and make sense to you. Often, small shifts can make a meaningful difference to how an interaction feels.

Amanda works with children, adolescents and adults, as well as families supporting them, to explore social communication and connection in practical, real-world contexts. The focus is on building understanding, confidence, and ways of relating that feel authentic and sustainable.