Training services
To create lasting change, we need to ensure all young people are cared for by adults who are trauma-informed, and systems that are responsive to their social and emotional needs. As part of this, we work with parents/carers, professionals and volunteers to ensure that they are well equipped, so that young people can receive the support they need.
What do our trainees think?
"Informative, educational, engaging and practical. It was fantastic. Thank you!"
Lives touched
A Parent Champion story
Sinead was invited to our Parent Champion Launch event. Sinead was moved to tears by the event. We then paired her up with a Parent Champion, Doreen. During the first 1:1 session Sinead expressed overwhelming feelings of guilt for her son’s current behaviour – as he witnessed DV and controlling behaviour from his father and because she felt that she didn’t push for him to get support with his autism when he was younger.
Sinead shared that she suffers with low self-esteem and often feels isolated. Sinead expressed her concerns about her son’s autism and how it could make him vulnerable. She even wrote to her local MP stating that she felt her son was being groomed. Sinead’s Parent Champion offered various strategies to support Sinead with parenting.
Sinead said that after the first session she went back home and put strategies in place straight away. Sinead noted that even her own mother was in support of the strategies that were suggested.
School had rung Sinead just before her second meeting and informed her that her son had not attended. Where before she would usually panic and be anxious, she remained calm and was not worried. Doreen suggested that when he returns home, instead of having a go at him, give him the opportunity to explain himself to build trust.
When Doreen met with Sinead for a third session Sinead was in good spirits as she had met with an old school friend. Sinead said that because of her Parent Champion 1:1 session, she was learning to forgive/not hold grudges against the father of her child.
Sinead shared that it was her son’s birthday and Dad was on the phone, on the verge of an argument, Sinead diffused the argument which is something that she wouldn’t have been able to do previously. This week her son was out even later than usual, Sinead was losing sleep as a result of this and would get in her car and go out looking for him – following the strategies that she was given at a previous session, now when she finds him, he doesn’t argue and just gets in the car. He is much less argumentative even once he gets home because she has changed her approach.
A Counselling story
Alex was referred to the Spark2life Counselling service by his caseworker as he was suffering from low mood, depression and anxiety.
He was a 26-year-old male, struggling to adjust and rehabilitate following a 3-year prison sentence. Alex was unemployed, and the lack of opportunities left him unmotivated which made the decision to steer clear from crime a difficult one. He was experiencing anxiety and trust issues for those around him. Alex was also in the process of grieving his grandmother who had passed during his time in prison. This was an especially hard time for him due to the close nature of their relationship, and he struggled to process the impact this was having on him. Alex came from a close-knit, extended family however, this dynamic had changed, and he was feeling very distant from the people in his life when he first came to therapy.
Alex was a Service User of Spark2life, receiving mentorship and crime desistance, and had been referred by Lewisham Probation Service. He had previously been involved in crimes involving drugs and violence and had gang affiliations in the community however, Alex now wanted to change his life around following his years spent in prison.
Alex was offered 12 weekly, face-to-face counselling sessions. He appeared nervous and uncomfortable at the beginning of his first session, and it was clear that he did not know what to anticipate. After exploring Alex’s aims, expectations, and issues, as well as using the session to gain an understanding of his personal history, by the end of the first session Alex’s body language had completely changed and he left feeling more optimistic about the process.
During the sessions, we explored the changes that had and were taking place in Alex’s life and the emotions that were involved, to help Alex to better understand, process and navigate his feelings. Throughout the weeks Alex became more open, allowing himself to be vulnerable so that he was able to benefit from the process. Alex was discovering himself and becoming authentic, being able to make links from his past experiences to his present patterns. He was developing his strengths, as well as tools and coping strategies that allowed him to manage the challenges he was facing with a more optimistic and rationale mindset. Alex often expressed that he did not expect to find counselling a helpful as he did, and it had brought about evident changes in his mood, thought processing, and his behaviours.
Alex began to develop confidence which was previously lost because of his many setbacks, and he was challenging himself by doing things that were out of his comfort zone. He continued to regularly apply for jobs and attended interviews even when he was reluctant, even attending an employment networking event on his own. Alex was learning to encourage and motivate himself, prioritising his self-development, setting himself goals, and had signed up to courses and apprenticeships in construction.
Alex was also discovering self-care and mindfulness. He began reading, following a book I had recommended, and he made this a daily habit as well as journaling. Alex rediscovered some of his interests such as fitness and began to develop a healthier, more productive routine as well as healthier relationships, reevaluating some of his peer relationships and making better decisions. Alex continued to arrive at his sessions with a smile on his face, looking forward the session, and appearing happier and more positive each time. He also continued to work closely with his caseworker, attending regular one-to-one sessions learning about the financial market and practicing trading skills.
By the close of therapy, Alex’s levels of depression and anxiety had decreased significantly, and his growth was evident. He was able to acknowledge his progress and reflect on the process, recognising how he would continue to implement what he had learned. Alex had begun to discover his faith and lean into that also. The person that first walked into the therapy room had become a more confident, authentic, self-aware, balanced, proactive, positive and happier individual.
“Therapy helped me to process my thoughts in a clearer way. I’m now able to prioritise my thinking and not dwell on situations that are outside of my control”.