Our story

Alternative routes to wellbeing, confidence and connection.

Shadows Of Light CIC was founded from a belief that animals, nature, creativity and human connection can offer a different way in for people who find traditional support difficult to access.

Shadows Of Light CIC exists to support vulnerable people's health and wellbeing through animal-assisted support, animal-assisted intervention, wellbeing activities, outdoor activity, creativity and compassionate one-to-one support. We work across the North East with young people, veterans, older people, care settings and community organisations, adapting each session to the individual rather than applying a single approach to everyone.

Natasha Alderson-Pollock with Shadow during a BBC Radio Newcastle studio visit.

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Executive Director

Natasha Alderson-Pollock

Natasha is an experienced education, training and community development professional with more than 20 years' experience working with marginalised and disadvantaged groups across education, community and specialist support settings.

Over the past eight years she has held senior leadership and director-level positions, developing programmes, building partnerships and creating opportunities for people who can experience barriers to traditional education, training and support. She founded Shadows Of Light CIC from a belief that animals, nature, creativity and human connection can provide alternative routes to wellbeing, confidence and engagement.

Experience & qualifications

MSc Professional Qualification in Youth and Policy
Level 7 study in counselling and psychology
PAWS accredited (PAWS Therapy Dog Training)
20+ years in education, training and community development
8+ years senior leadership and director-level experience
Experience developing programmes for schools, colleges, universities, prisons and community settings
Strategic leadership, programme development and business development/fundraising
Partnership development and curriculum/learning programme development

Shadow, a black Labrador and accredited therapy dog, wearing her purple and yellow working harness.

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Meet Shadow

Shadow

PAWS Accredited Therapy Dog & Animal-Assisted Intervention Partner

Shadow is a four-year-old Black Labrador and an important member of the Shadows Of Light CIC team. She has a friendly nature, a calm presence, and clearly enjoys interacting with the people she meets. Shadow holds full PAWS accreditation and has a year of practical experience across a range of community, educational, wellbeing and care environments, helping people engage through tactile, sensory and non-verbal interaction.

Shadow can support opportunities to:

Build confidence
Develop connections
Experience sensory stimulation
Engage in non-verbal interaction
Reduce feelings of isolation
Participate in activities
Experience calming animal interaction
Build positive relationships and memories

Meet Akira

Akira

Future Animal-Assisted Intervention Partner

Akira is the newest Black Labrador puppy in the Shadows Of Light CIC family, and is at the beginning of a gradual development journey. Her early training focuses on confidence, manners, positive socialisation and the foundations that may support a future working role.

Akira's welfare and individual temperament come first: she will not undertake any therapy work until she is developmentally and professionally ready, and it's entirely possible that her role will ultimately simply be as a companion, rather than a formal working one.

Akira, a black Labrador puppy, resting contentedly.

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Welfare first

The animals’ welfare is always the priority.

Every session is planned around the wellbeing of Shadow and Akira as much as the needs of the people they meet. That means appropriate rest, regular breaks and clear opportunities to disengage. Neither dog is ever expected to participate when showing signs that they need space or rest.

Want to know more about working with us?

Get in touch and we'll happily talk through what might work for your situation or organisation.

Make an enquiry