Topic: The role of supportive adults in building resilience for young people – learning from literature and the Friend for Life project – Claire Walsh, Friend for Life Coordinator, Blackpool Council, and Mirika Flegg, PhD Student at the Centre of Resilience for Social Justice, University of Brighton
Resources: You can download Claire and Mirika’s slides.
Summary: The Blackpool Social Mobility Opportunity Area Plan 2017-20 states, “Our vision is that no child is left behind” (Department of Education, 2017, p. 6). This session explores various ways adults can support young people to build their resilience and feel connected to others (and their community). It focuses primarily on supporting children and young people that face some of the greatest challenges, such as those in foster care.
There will be a presentation about Blackpool’s own Friend for Life Project, a mentoring/befriending type project that matches Our Children ages 10-12 years with volunteer adults. We will also explore permanency planning for young people in the UK and more globally. To do this, we will look at research and practice examples. You may even get to play a game (designed by youth & adult participants in the Friend for Life project) to help adults learn about the support needs of young people. We will provide you with plenty of web links and references to take home with you.
This session will be of interest to all members of the Blackpool community that are keen to see young people grow into happy and healthy adults. Active participation is encouraged, but of course you’re welcome to sit and listen if that’s more your thing.
Biography: Mirika Flegg has worked with young people in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada as a researcher, educator and program developer. She has won a few awards for being a bit of a nerd, but she is definitely not your typical academic. In her spare time, she plays bass guitar and volunteers with a peer-support charity.
Claire Walsh is the lead on the Friend for Life project and has joined the Resilience Revolution after many years as a primary school teacher specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disability. With a new found passion for Resilient Therapy and the Friend for Life project Claire is determined to make 2018 The Year of The Friend.
Who might be most interested: Everyone is welcome, including academics, practitioners, researchers, students, parents, carers, community workers, volunteers, public sector workers, young people, service users.
Key Readings:
Gilligan, R. (2008). Promoting resilience in young people in long‐term care: The relevance of roles and relationships in the domains of recreation and work. Journal of Social Work Practice, 22(1), 37-50. doi:10.1080/02650530701872330.
Grossman, J. B., & Bulle, M. J. (2006). Review of what youth programs do to increase the connectedness of youth with adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(6), 788-799. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.08.004.
Hart, A., Blincow, D., & Thomas, H. (2007). Resilient therapy: Working with children and families. Routledge.
This event took place on Thursday 17 May 2018.
The Resilience Forum is for ANYBODY (with a pulse!) involved with or interested in resilience research!
