Our Trainers
Kate Pigeon-Owen
International Association of Infant Massage trainer and co-founder of the Wellbeing for Mothers & Babies Programme, Kate Pigeon-Owen has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting parents, babies, and family wellbeing.
With a professional background in counselling and stress management, Kate trained as an infant massage instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage in 1998 before qualifying as an International Trainer in 2011. Passionate about attachment parenting, she believes deeply in honouring parents as the experts on their own children and empowering them to build strong, nurturing relationships from the very beginning.
Kate has trained extensively throughout the UK and internationally, sharing her knowledge and experience with professionals and families around the world. As a mother herself, she has witnessed firsthand the lasting impact infant massage can have, having massaged her own children since birth and seeing them grow into compassionate, caring adults.
In 2019, Kate co-founded the Wellbeing for Mothers & Babies Programme — a pioneering initiative created to support maternal mental health and emotional wellbeing during the early years of parenting. Launched during the pandemic, the programme has gone on to make a meaningful difference to countless families, with independent research from University of Derby highlighting the positive outcomes experienced by parents who attend.
Kate is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces where parents feel heard, empowered, and connected, helping families thrive during the precious early years of a child’s life.
Gail Bovenizer
Gail’s passion for supporting parents began with her own experience of motherhood. When her twins were born, she became deeply aware of how overwhelming the early days can feel—and how little support there can be in helping parents build confidence, connection, and community. That experience shaped the direction of her work and continues to inspire her.
Gail became an International Trainer with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) in 2011 and her approach is rooted in a baby-led, relationship-centred philosophy that supports secure attachment, respectful communication, and the emotional wellbeing of both baby and parent. She is deeply committed to maintaining the integrity and global standard of the IAIM programme while making it accessible and meaningful for families across diverse communities.
Gail has joined Childways as an IAIM Trainer and has recently qualified as a Trainer with Wellbeing International, specialising in programmes for mothers and babies that focus on connection, confidence, and holistic wellbeing in the early years. She is passionate about creating nurturing, inclusive spaces where parents feel supported, empowered, and truly seen in their journey.
Through her work, she has had the privilege of training instructors and supporting families from a wide range of backgrounds and countries.
Her mission is to ensure that every parent has access to compassionate, evidence-informed support—helping them to feel confident, connected, and supported from the very beginning.