· Why
are so many young people being impacted badly by society at this point in our
history when we are more advanced, healthier and wealthier than ever?
· What
are the deep rooted causes as to why children get left behind? Why do some
people manage to overcome a difficult start to reach their full potential,
living relatively happy, fulfilled lives? Why do other people sink under the
weight of their problems, failing to fulfil their potential – living a life of
poor coping strategies such as taking drugs and being violent or exploited?
· How
do we break the generational cycles of sexual exploitation, domestic violence,
criminal exploitation, poor mental health, substance/alcohol abuse?
Chris Hickford
(CEO of Eikon) and I were pondering these issues, so we invited a small, group
of people with diverse experience and big brains to explore these issues with
us. We call this our "unofficial think tank." Thank you ever so much to the kind, thoughtful, intelligent people involved:
 |
| Steve Wyler and Caroline Slocock |
- Caroline Slocock – Better Way Network
- Steve Wyler – Better Way Network
- Jon Hetherington – More House School, Frensham
- David Gumbrell - The Resilience Project
- Jon Savell – Surrey Police
- Trudy Mills - Children and Family Health Surrey
- Dave Hill – Surrey County Council
- Chris Hickford – The Eikon Charity
- Cate Newnes-Smith – Surrey Youth Focus
- Joe Crome – Community Foundation for Surrey
- Sharon Ward
As a result,
the group came up with a DRAFT set of principles for professionals and
volunteers that we believe could make the difference to all children and young
people and provide them the very best opportunity to succeed in life. We are just starting to tell the world about the principles...
SURREY UNOFFICIAL THINK TANK – OUR ‘PLAN ON A PAGE’
Being crazy about the kid
We all need
to be ‘crazy about the kid’. Every professional needs to focus on human
connection with a child, regardless of their background or circumstances, with patience
and passion to achieve the very best for all children and young people.
Every child/young person needs a consistent relationship with at least one adult they trust.
Many young
people feel lost and without direction, they don’t believe that they have
anyone to turn to. Building trust and confidence takes time and a persistent
and consistent approach. Often we hear stories of ever changing so-called
‘trusted adults’ in a child/young person’s life. How can we expect any form of
‘trust’ to be built when that person changes frequently and relationships have
to start all over again. We need to enable professionals and volunteers working
with children and young people to have the time and resources to provide
stability and earn the child/young person’s trust.
Every child needs to be able to tell their story and learn to hope.
Many
children experience trauma or loss. Others have a deeply unpleasant daily lived
experience. Those children who have a clear story about what has happened to
them are more likely to have develop healthy relationships going forward and
hence to flourish. Children and young people need to know why they are where
they are and to understand that they have choices and the potential to
experience a happier life; connection with their peers can often help with this
immeasurably. We all need to encourage young people to tell their story, to listen,
believe and help the young person to make the changes that they need to make
and to develop a sense of hope about their future.
Every child needs a sense of belonging and encouragement to shine.
Children and
young people need to have a group of friends, a club, association or school,
which they look forward to going to. Where they can be themselves. Where they
feel people have an interest in their welfare and they can ‘shine’. We all need
to find ways to build on the strengths of each child, not just those who fit
into the traditional mainstream educational systems and exams that are
prevalent in our society, and help them to shine.
We all need to believe in the child or young person and what they can achieve.
Believing in yourself because others have believed in you is
the recipe for success. Professionals need to have faith in young people, to
help them explore their individuality and learn the tools and belief that they
can do what they set their minds to, with the power to change their world.
What do you think? Do these make sense? How can we make these ideas become reality for every child and young person across Surrey? If you are a professional or
volunteer working with children and young people in Surrey, please let us know what
you think.
