It’s hard to imagine that Sandstories was ever off the road during the pandemic restrictions because my capacity is by now almost completely booked up for the next 12 months. I’ve had so many enquiries from commissioners who are now feeling much more confident to deliver face-to-face training. So, already, I’ve been travelling hundreds ofContinue reading “Gift of Nature”
Author Archives: Sue Woolmore
Staying connected
Sandstories training has now been back on the road for a couple of months and I have been privileged to meet with extraordinary practitioners in Glasgow, London, Southampton, Shropshire, Cheshire, the north-east of England and the Home Counties. This has included health professionals, police officers, children’s services practitioners, schools, youth workers and family support workers.Continue reading “Staying connected”
Repeating patterns
It’s been more than a year now since Sandstories was on the road, spending time with frontline practitioners across the UK and sharing stories about child-centred practice. As enquiries and commissions have started to come back in, I admit that I have felt some anxiety that the messages within Sandstories might seem out of touchContinue reading “Repeating patterns”
Facemasks, austerity and useful tips
Last month heralded the reopening of pub gardens and non-essential shops can also trade again! Hopefully this will bring solace – and wages – to many people who have been struggling. It won’t be long before the restrictions are reduced still further and everyday activities will be able to replace some of the socially-distanced isolationContinue reading “Facemasks, austerity and useful tips”
Face to face
Throughout the long months of Covid restrictions, the word “unprecedented” has been used an infinite number of times. This has applied to every part of our personal lives. And it has also had an immeasurable impact on the work of professionals and volunteers, who have been showing unsung heroism in their determination to draw alongsideContinue reading “Face to face”
Finding our way
One of the joys of delivering Sandstories training is that I am able to draw on many different creative sources to illustrate the stories of real children, so that they can encourage us to strengthen our child-centred practice. In telling their stories, these children cease being simply “cases” and instead can speak of their livedContinue reading “Finding our way”
Animal-assisted therapy
Some of the most beautiful stories I have encountered as I deliver Sandstories around the UK, have been those about the relationship between animals and vulnerable children and adults. I could probably write a book with the many descriptions that have been given to me of animals who recognise the feelings and emotions of vulnerableContinue reading “Animal-assisted therapy”
Moral injury
The delivery of Sandstories training for more than a decade has coincided with many years of so-called austerity and reductions in resources for vulnerable children. This has meant that local authorities and other agencies have been very noticeably “raising the threshold” for the provision of services, in order to ration diminishing resources – all whileContinue reading “Moral injury”
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