Amy Eleftheriades: A Life’s Work in Colour, Compassion, and Inclusion

“Who’s Ever Seen a Purple Dog?”: The Power of Childhood Moments
“My name’s Amy Eleftheriades, and I’m the founder of Alpha Inclusion and Communication, and also a Chameleon.” Amy’s introduction is simple, but her story is anything but. Her journey into the world of inclusion and communication began with a childhood memory that, at first glance, seems almost trivial.

“When I was four, I coloured a dog purple, and I got told off for it. ‘Who’s ever seen a purple dog?’” she recalls, a smile in her voice. “That moment really stuck with me. I think it was about the power adults have over children, and how quickly creativity can be squashed.” Years later, in a twist that would make any storyteller proud, Amy’s family adopted a Chinese Crested dog whose fur actually turned purple in the summer sun. “It was like the universe was telling me, ‘See? There’s more than one way to see the world.’”

But it wasn’t just about creativity. Amy remembers the sting of witnessing exclusion: “I remember a boy in my class who couldn’t spell his surname, and the teacher made a big deal about it. I had a long Greek surname, and the words “You must be really stupid, because even Amy couldn’t spell hers” where carelessly tossed out. I felt so sorry for him. That sense of unfairness, of someone being left out or made to feel ‘less than,’ has always stayed with me.”

Building a Foundation: Learning, Teaching, and Listening

Amy’s path was shaped by these early lessons in empathy and difference. She pursued a degree in psychology and criminology, then a master’s in special needs, and became a qualified teacher. But her education didn’t stop in the classroom.

“I worked in residential schools, in children’s homes in Brazil, in therapeutic communities with young people who’d experienced real trauma. What I learned is that trust, communication, and emotional regulation are often more important than academic learning, especially for kids who’ve been through tough times.”

Amy’s approach is rooted in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. “You can’t teach a child who doesn’t feel safe or understood. For many of the young people I’ve worked with, school was a place of anxiety, not learning. My job was to help them find their voice and their confidence again.”

Alpha Inclusion & Communication: A Mission, Not a Business

“I never set out to be a business owner,” Amy says candidly. “Alpha started because I wanted to reach more children and families with support that really fits their needs. Over the last thirteen years, it’s grown organically, from just me to a team of practitioners who share the same passion.”

What Makes Alpha Special

Alpha Inclusion & Communication isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. “We begin with the child’s interests and needs. Our practitioners are the magic-they listen, adapt, and build trust. We help children transition to new schools, support social integration, and facilitate academic progress. But it’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about creating sustainable, meaningful change.”

Amy explains, “We work directly with children, young people, families, and schools. Every intervention is outcomes-focused, ensuring that support is meaningful and measurable. We also offer training for staff and parents, so the impact lasts long after we’re gone.”

Alpha’s ethos is clear: “We see individuality and uniqueness in cognitive functioning as both a challenge and an opportunity. By increasing understanding and appreciation of these differences, we help people discover who they are and how they can thrive.”

A Practitioner’s Perspective

Amy is proud of her team: “Our practitioners are the heart of Alpha. They’re skilled at quickly identifying what will work for each young person. They build trust, adapt their approach, and always start from a place of empathy.”

The Challenge of Growth: Leadership and Culture

As Alpha grew, Amy faced new challenges. “Leading culture change was brutal. I lost people I didn’t want to lose. But leadership is vulnerable. Everyone in an organization shapes its culture. I learned that you have to be honest, even when it’s hard.”

She continues, “I’m proud that some of the organizations we supported through culture change are now partners in my next venture. It’s about building a legacy of high-quality, values-driven support.”

Beyond Education: Chameleon and the Corporate World

Amy’s work didn’t stop with schools. She saw a need for the same kind of inclusive, empathetic approach in the workplace-especially in the tech sector.

“With Chameleon, we’re helping organizations address inclusion, accessibility, and neurodiversity in the workplace. It’s about more than compliance. It’s about unlocking the strengths of diverse teams and creating cultures where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to do their best work.”

Chameleon offers bespoke training, culture change programmes, and ongoing consultancy. “We tailor everything to the needs of the organization. It’s about practical, sustainable change, not just box-ticking.”

Real Impact: Stories That Matter

Amy’s work is full of stories-of children who found their voice, families who felt understood, schools that became more welcoming, and companies that discovered the power of true inclusion.

She remembers one young person in particular: “He’d been excluded from multiple schools, labelled as ‘difficult.’ But when we started with his interests-music, art-he blossomed. He made friends, his anxiety dropped, and he started to believe in himself. That’s what it’s all about.”

Hopes, Wishes, and the Future

“If I could change one thing in education,” Amy says, “I’d make it research-driven rather than politically driven. Evidence-based, child-centered approaches should be at the heart of every decision.”

As she steps back from Alpha to focus on Chameleon, Amy feels hopeful. “I’m leaving Alpha in very capable hands. My focus now is on spreading inclusion and accessibility across sectors and communities. Inclusion isn’t just a policy-it’s a practice, a culture, and a commitment to seeing the potential in every person.”

Final Thoughts

Amy Eleftheriades’s journey is a testament to the power of empathy, creativity, and the belief that everyone deserves to belong. Her work lights the way for children, families, schools, and businesses-showing us that inclusion is not just a goal, but a shared human right and a daily practice.

As Amy says, “There’s more than one way to see the world. Sometimes, the dog really is purple.”

Amy we cant wait to see what you do next.

Get in Touch

If you want to learn more about Amy’s work, or explore how Alpha or Chameleon can help your school, family, or business, reach out:

Alpha Inclusion & Communication: alphaic.co.uk | info@alphainclusion.co.uk | 01603 926170
Chameleon: chmln.co.uk | info@chmln.co.uk