01 Jul Summer 2020 – Team News
NEWS | INSIGHTS | ACTIONS | CHANGE
NEWS
Hello from the Unravel team! We hope you are keeping safe and well, staying cautious and open-minded as it seems to be the key mindset we can all benefit from during these days. In this newsletter, we would like to focus on sharing some news as well as discussing the new “normal”, whatever this is for you, and how to go about it.
INSIGHTS
In June, our psychologists observed a common rise in mixed emotions across everyone they have been working with (adults and children) in terms of emotional overwhelm while transitioning into a new “normal”. Many parents we have been working with have opened up and shared their difficulties with structuring their days on a day-to-day basis. Although adapting in the best ways they know how, some are finding it difficult to actually follow a structure and in part, this could be due to families spending so much time together in their home environment. Struggles are often perceived in a particularly negative way, but by turning our focus towards a more positive insight and shift in awareness, we can see what is important and what needs to be simplified and appreciated a little bit more.
The lives of many families will be changed forever based on how they deal with new awareness and learning from the past few months, under Government guidelines since the start of lockdown caused by the coronavirus outbreak. This will shape families’ individual new sense of “normal”, which needs to be flexible and adaptable, so that we develop ongoing resilience and presence in every moment of our experience.
Our perspective on the new “normal”:
N – Notice what is around you – things, experiences and relationships, all of which make you feel different emotions, no matter how big or small they may seem
O – Observe your internal reactions – such as urges, thoughts and emotions – towards those things you notice on the outside
R – Recognise where you can benefit from changing your outlook and behaviour to shift the resulted struggle or conflict
M – Modify your actions and behaviour. Take a step back, distract yourself or listen and face your struggle without avoiding it or using too much energy
A – Accept things you cannot change and refocus on things that are important to you and worthy of your attention and energy
L – Live mindfully, savouring every moment through practising gratitude in everything you can see, hear, smell, touch and taste. Pause and let yourself submerge into the moment.
ACTIONS
June has been a busy, anxious yet exciting month for us, full of challenges and learning curves. We have been doing some autism and eating disorder training to deepen our understanding of atypical eating habits which may become entrenched into the psyche and have potentially severe consequences in the lives of children or adults on the ASD spectrum. This was very insightful and has helped inform us of strategies we can use in our practice to support our clients best we can.
As a main focus and priority, our Unravelers have all been working hard on gathering and compiling feedback from families they have been working with before lockdown and during the challenging times of the pandemic isolation. This valuable information is going to be provided for you in the form of an end of year Impact Report, to bring some clarity and insight into the work we do and to inform any adaptations we might need to implement into our practice.
We are also excited to share the news of being successful with Covid-19 adoption support fund scheme (ASF). This will offer additional support for families who are adopting and fostering children within their kinship to access Unravel support as part of their yearly support package. Please CONTACT US for more details.
And last but not least, last month we piloted the new programme supporting parental well-being throughout the lockdown period. Based on the excellent feedback we have received, we can report that this has been very successful and we are now excited to roll this out nationally as an integral part of our service to the benefit of families we work with. Please follow COVID-19 Emotional Support Group for more details.
CHANGE
Meet James, who is a graduate of Handsworth Grange Community Sports College in Sheffield:
“….I remember when you asked me, “What have you learned?” in one of our last sessions. I remember pausing, but your lessons have actually help me in the long run in terms of knowing what life was actually about and at the time I didn’t get that. Just little things kept popping up in my head now and again and made me realise if you didn’t take your time to see me I don’t think I’d be the person I am today so I just want to say thank you for everything x”
“Helping to unravel children and young people’s emotional and behavioural difficulties for improved well-being and happier lives.”