Join us and Jo Stockdale from Well Within Reach for a one-off and newly developed workshop titled The Powerless Child as part of Well Within Reach’s Social and Emotional Competence and Wellbeing series.

This session is completely free for members of The Mighty Creatives’ Creative Mentoring pool and is adapted towards the nature of the Creative Mentoring Service.

What can I expect from the session?

‘Power’ is often loaded with negative connotations, but right from early babyhood, the natural progression of childhood is that children – and the adults they become – develop a healthy relationship with power; they see themselves as autonomous, competent human beings; can make decisions and choices, control appropriate aspects of their life and have a strong sense of agency and personal influence.

Those children who have not had such experiences; especially where profound decisions have been made about their lives completely beyond their control; can develop an unhealthy relationship with power and control. In the aftermath of Covid, this is potentially true for all children, but especially for those who have experienced the care system.

They may lack trust in themselves, have no confidence to make any decisions and resist taking any responsibility for their own outcomes.

Others may seek to control far too much, drawing those around them into power-struggles, and developing manipulative behaviours to keep control of their worlds, and this session helps you to manage both ends of the spectrum through a deeper understanding of:

• The fine line that exists between ’empowered’ and ‘overpowering’.
• How to give young people their power back in healthy and productive ways.
• How to spot the power-struggle at work and how to manage that most effectively.

About Jo

Jo has a background in the creative sector and the journey into neuroscience and ‘person-centred development’ began there around 13 years ago in what has been an interesting and unexpected learning journey.

She now specialises in training all kinds of people about brain development, social and emotional competence and wellbeing issues such as resilience and self-esteem. As well as being Well Within Reach’s founder and lead trainer, Jo also provides consultancy support to help organisations to meaningfully ‘decode’ and evidence those impacts and changes usually referred to as ‘soft skills’.

Jo has also been an independent drama practitioner for 15 years, with a particular interest in using creative approaches to support young people with learning disabilities, and those with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Creative Mentor’s Feedback

“It really was thought provoking – the sort of training that stays with you and pops into your head at pertinent moments” – Creative Mentor about Jo’s sessions Understanding the Vulnerable Brain and Nurturing Children That Thrive, Not Just Survive.

“What a great few sessions – It really helped me to understand the behaviours of my mentees and how I can best encourage a positive and meaningful relationship with them” – Creative Mentor about Jo’s sessions Why Relationships Matter and The Power of Presence Not Just Your Practice.