Suitcases for Our Journeys Pilot narrative program developed to respond to children who have experienced trauma.

Transcription

1 Suitcases for Our Journeys Pilot narrative program developed to respond to children who have experienced trauma. Presented by Carolina Haro-Arellano

2 Children accompanying parent or parents presenting at homelessness services in 2009 Total Clients: 13,000 (2,400 ATSI) Accompanying Children: 9,900 (2,200 ATSI) Accompanying Children Age Distribution: 0-4 years 4,400 (44%) 5-9 years 2,800 (28%) years 2,000 (20%) More than half of homeless children will have experienced trauma prior to homelessness with the majority of children accompanying a parent escaping domestic violence (DV).

3 Considerations in working with children who have experienced Trauma Narrtive therapy principles 1.- No retraumatisation 2.- Responses to trauma v/s effectsconquenses 3.- Right of Connectedness/Solidarity 4.- Healing process.

4 4 Considerations in working with children who have experienced Trauma Narrtive therapy principles 1.- No retraumatisation : Safe space of identity The identity of children who have been through significant trauma is often defined by this trauma, and if we invited children to speak about this trauma without first assisting them to find a different territory of identity on which to stand, this can be re-traumatising. (M. White, 2006)

5 Suitcases for our Journeys 7 sessions 1.- Skills and abilities 2.- Important people and treasured memories 3.-Connect with our Values and Hopes and Dreams The Suitcase Safe space of Identity 4.- Mapping our life Journey 5.- Mapping our Further journey 6.- The Banner Reflect in our lives, reengage with the trauma story giving new meanings. Connectedness, Healing 7.- Audience, Certificates and Ceremony Witness children s stories

6 Metaphor of Journey & The Suitcase Life as a Journey and our special suitcase where we will carry important things.

7 Session 1: Skills/abilities Things that we carried on our suitcases allowing us to do things that are important to us

8 trustworthy Being strong Sports, footy doing my best being healthy Trying new things Caring for animals drawing Determined listening to what people say good at maths Climbing and hiding Curious Making new friends Remembering happy times making people laugh. Cracking up laughing! good imagination XBox being honest using my words looking after people Passionate loving being kind Good at having fun! being respectful for family Being wonderful Laughing helping others asking for help responsible Standing up for my rights protecting myself hopeful being calm respect others being strong and brave travelling Being careful

9 Session 2: Important people (figures) and treasured memories Acknowledging important figures contribution in children s life Acknowledging children s contribution to important people s life. Children experience their identity through the eyes of significant ones

10 These figures are my Support Team (extract Team of Life) The stones and rocks are strong as the important people in my life and treasure memories

11 Session 3: Treasures in our Suitcases Connect with our Values Connect with our hopes and dreams.

12 Safety teamwork Family Being kind Playing Being respectful Being happy. Friendship To have hopes happiness shared with friends health Love Happiness Religion Respect Helping other people caring for people caring for animals Fun Being brave Trust To have fun with my Mum peace passion Honesty

13 Connect with our hopes and dreams What travelers do to not get lost? The stars, the sun, the moon and compasses will guide me as my hopes and dreams

14 I wish I will remember happy things instead of bad things To live with both families I want to see my family Nice, Safe and Happy Happy times trusting people To be famous and have friends I wish I may climb a mountain I want to be a lawyer to stick up for people Love A.F.L. player To help my mum To be rich Everyone in my family to happy To get rid of bad things and to make this world a better place To have good firends Not let smoking and drinking to affect my life and others I want to travel with my sisters and learn new things, so that we can teach other children to Hope and Dream

15 Sessions 4 and 5: Mapping our Journeys and Further Journey Safe territory built Naming the suitcase 1.WHEN DID IT START? 2.DID IT HAVE ANY DETOURS? 3.ANY CHALLENGES? 4.WHAT LESSONS ALONG THE WAY? 5.ANY BEAUTIFUL LOOKOUTS? BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS ON YOUR LIFE?

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19 Our Further Journey Connecting with what we hope for our life

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21 Session 6: The Banner Themes/Plots: Stands towards violence: to learn how to stick up for myself without violence Values around Respect Safety How children should be treated Children using their voices Children doing things to protect themselves even when they can t stop the violence or harm Even when children have been through hard times they do things to feel better, to have happy memories, going to school, making new friends.

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23 Session 7: Ceremony and inviting audience for the children s stories 1. Preparing the audience 2. Children sharing their journeys and suitcases to their mums 3. Audience response to the children 4. Certificates and Passports 5. Celebration! and food!! 6. The mum s banner

24 Sharing our Journeys

25 It was important to see how after all we ve been through he has been able to develop friendships and see the value that he gives to them. It inspired me to think about how am I going with friends. Having strong family values. Audience responses I didn t know how violence had impact on her trust. No I can support her hopes to have trust back in her life Showing kid s violence is not okay in relationships. She will achieve anything she will put her mind to. She is very strong. Holding good memories. Saying no to violence. Keeping Hope & dreams Caring nature, helping people. Doing what s fair. Knowing what s right & wrong by people. He s written wonderful things about his journey After hearing this I feel that I can forgive myself

26 Ceremony, Certificates and Passports

27 The mums banner

28 Thank you