Creative Life Story Work Podcast

Social Work consultant and Trauma Informed Consultancy Services trainer, Natalie Wyatt, explains the wide-ranging effects of domestic abuse on children and young people, from developmental delays in infancy to risk-taking behaviors in adolescence.

We explore how trauma-informed approaches can help rebuild trust and attachment, and look ahead to potential changes in how we support children and young people.

Listen to the episode for practical guidance, insights into research, and examples of what Natalie has learnt from the children and young people she has worked with.

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This special podcast episode was recorded live at the Georgian Theatre in Stockton, where we gathered for the premiere of a wonderful new film called All About Adoption. The film was made by a group of young film makers from Tees Valley, through a new partnership between Blue Cabin and Adoption Tees Valley.

Hear from some of the film makers about what they wanted friends, teachers and social workers to know about adoption, and what it was like to receive a standing ovation after their first screening.

We ask audience members what they thought of the the film, and Blue Cabin Associate Artist, Nic Golightly, give an insight into the creative process.

Find out more about Adopt Bats at wearebluecabin.com/project/adopt-bats/

We welcome Mary-anne Hodd to the podcast to discuss adverse childhood experiences (also known as ACEs). Mary-anne explains how neglect, abuse and household dysfunction in early childhood can have an impact on later-life outcomes for care-experienced people -- and how we can support young people to start to heal.

Mary-anne is a care-experienced trainer and consultant with Trauma Informed Consultancy Services who combines her own lived experience with her background in psychology. Listen to this episode to hear how Mary-anne takes a strengths-based approach to ACEs.

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What role can social workers play in supporting children affected by parental separation? Parental separation might be widespread (around 3.5 million children a year are living in separated families), but it can still have a big impact on children and young people, affecting behavioural outcomes, physical health and more.

We welcome Natalie Wyatt to the podcast to talk about how we can help children thrive, post-separation. Natalie shares what children and young people she has worked with have told her about what's important to them, and the factors which can affect children's lives, longer term.

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How can social workers and foster carers create records that have a positive impact on people's lives?

We welcome Dr Lisa Cherry to the podcast to discuss how we can take a trauma-informed approach to recording information about a child or young person's life.

Lisa has been working in education and children's services for more than 30 years and in this episode she shares advice for both social work professionals and foster carers. Learn what makes 'good' record-keeping -- from the language we use to the moments we choose to record -- and how you can promote healing in care-experienced adults.

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In this episode of the Creative Life Story Work podcast, host Dawn welcomes Christian Brock, co-founder and managing director of Virtual Memory Box, to discuss how technology is being leveraged to support life story work for care-experienced children and young people. They delve into the functionalities and benefits of the Virtual Memory Box, including its web platform setup and its co-production with South Tyneside Council. Christian shares insights on the personalization and accessibility features of the tool, and highlights how it augments traditional life story work. The conversation also touches on the emotional impact and positive feedback from users, alongside advice for tech entrepreneurs looking to develop meaningful tools for community support.

00:00 Introduction to Creative Life Story Work

00:51 Meet Christian Brock: Co-Founder of Virtual Memory Box

02:29 The Concept and Features of Virtual Memory Box

03:16 Collaborative Development with South Tyneside Council

08:23 User Permissions and Access Control

11:41 Data Ownership and Accessibility

12:44 Break: Blue Cabin's Creative Life Storywork Membership

14:32 Impact Stories and Feedback

18:08 Future of Digital Technology in Care Systems

19:28 Advice for Tech Entrepreneurs

20:33 How to Engage with Virtual Memory Box

22:11 Conclusion and Farewell

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How might grief and loss affect children and young people's behaviour and relationships? And how can we support care-experienced children and young people to process their feelings?

We welcome back to the podcast Ciara McClelland, who specialises in working with children and families impacted by adverse childhood experiences, to find out more about the impact of grief and loss on the brain and body. Ciara is a trainer from Trauma Informed Consultancy Services.

For this episode, we are partnering with Lively Minds: the mental health podcast who are posting it on their feed too! Head over to their show to hear Ciara dig deeper into the world of dramatherapy in her conversation with hosts, Ellie and Will.

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How can we adapt Creative Life Story Work for young adults?

In 2023, we worked with care-leavers and young researchers to develop All About Us, a life story work pilot project for care-leavers.

We talk with theatre-maker and Blue Cabin Associate, Ruth Mary Johnson, and Faye Marsh from Darlington Borough Council, about the practicalities of gathering feedback from care-leavers in Darlington and South Tyneside. Find out how their input shaped the project and how All About Us is different from the sessions we deliver with younger children and their trusted adults.

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This month on the podcast we talk about the vital role foster carers play in the delivery of life story work. Joanne Stoddart (local authority specialist) and Jenny Young (director) from Blue Cabin are our guests as we find out what training and support foster carers receive when they welcome a child or young person to their home, and the benefits of the foster carer being involved in delivering life story work.

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We were very happy to catch up with Professor Richard Rose in Darlington, to talk about the role he's played as a critical friend for Darlington Borough Council and other organisations. Hear how having someone to share honest, constructive feedback is helping to shape life story work strategies.

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