Margaret Davies at Red Dragonfly Services Ltd

14/10/2021

Hello everyone, and especially those of you caring for children who have experienced trauma. Here's a really interesting short video about the usefulness of focusing on tasks, to calm the (hyper sensitive for our kids) panic centres of the brain. The film talks about mindfulness. There's a caution note re focussing inside/meditating (inner sensations) for people with trauma histories, however, we can have a mindful focus on nature, the taste of food, movement of our bodies etc etc. Good for us, good for our kids.

Finally, a simple explanation of the Neuroscience of Mindfulness! This is how Mindfulness works!Research particularly from Tang, Y. Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posn...

30/12/2020

Inbetwixtmas, and I'm pondering on the direction my work compass is set towards. It is still set towards more love and nurture in children's care. I'm reading the Independent Care Review Scotland, and am reminded about this piece I wrote in 2015, still relevant and needed today. 2021 will be all about bringing more Heart into children's care work. Love, nurture, stability, safety, trust, healing and thriving.

The Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards introduced in April 2015 place love, positive relationships and strong bonds between children and staff at the centre of what is required for children looked after in children’s homes. This seems both radical and obvious at the same time....

24/11/2020

Feeling Inspired watching this. We need a better care system indeed, and this event, and its pleas to government has care experienced young people at its heart - its practical and emotional centre

On Tuesday 24 November the Children’s Commissioner will be holding a live virtual event, presenting her vision for a better care system for children ahead of...

29/09/2020

Lemn Sissay with another exciting creative project, finding new ways of telling care stories. Great.

I am working with Greg Stobbs on a children's book for Canongate Books. It is very exciting. This drawing of his is called Many Homes.

14/09/2020

This looks great!

Starting the 1st October, join our Young Peoples Project Coordinator Carrie and arts facilitator Katie for our Creative Wellness course.

Hosted online, free of charge with a maximum of 15 people per session.

You can join for singular sessions or complete the full course.

No art skills will be required to take part. We will be using materials that could normally be found around the home - young people will not need specialist art equipment to join.

The sessions will be fun and will use art to help care leavers connect with each other and respond to some of the emotions and situations that have arisen during covid.

Register your interest and availability below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeRAyBkb5r79-83baQ8VDvrexLZGRJhWlXKfM-BJRMTbgiukw/viewform

If you have any questions please email us [email protected]

30/07/2020

An interesting insight into how a trans racially adopted woman feels, loved by her white parents but dead inside because she hasn't been brought up with a fitting sense of her black identity. I'm sure we are tuned into these issues in family placement in the UK, and, it's still worth hearing, so we understand why we must support childrens birth heritage.

27/07/2020

https://www-bbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-53419548
Children in care a super vulnerable when they go missing. But of course they go missing when they feel out of place where they are supposed to live. What makes the difference? A genuine relationship with the person caring for you. Simple, but not easy.
I'm developing new training called 'A Quest for Safety' to help all of us caring for children with trauma to understand how to help children feel safe and connected living with us.

The BBC has uncovered evidence of children disappearing from local authority care for long periods.