http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/ MARK'S BLOG OpenACS 5.0 Wed, 09 May 2012 22:19:01 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7673659 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7673659 I'm very grateful to Lori, previously a Family Group parent, for this piece introducing a new service we are planning:   "Graduate Groups as an idea came about because of the experiences and subsequent feedback of the parents who had completed the Family Group.  I am one of those parents. Before the Family Group, I was very depressed and isolated with little self belief.  Through the experience of the Family Group, I became more confident and had more faith in myself as ... Wed, 09 May 2012 22:19:01 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7559634 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7559634 As a non-executive director of The School & Family Works it is really encouraging to read case studies describing such positive and practical outcomes for parents and children.  However, it seems to me that the principle of 'families helping families' underpins all of the School and Family Works groups, irrespective of their particular setting. Too often therapeutic work is about 'experts' and 'clients,' i.e. those who give and those who receive help. The true nature of therapeu... Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:52:22 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7556631 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7556631 By the end of May, we'll have run the 12th Families Helping Families course in Richmond.  Like our Family Groups (see Our Services), Families Helping Families programmes are designed to enable change.  Parents come to talk about behaviours their children present that are challenging or incomprehensible - often both.  The children concerned have additional needs; many have a specific diagnosis.  These case studies illustrate how the process has worked for four local families... Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:39:38 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7220523 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7220523 I've been unwell for a few days with severe respiratory problems now, thankfully, being brought under control by antibiotics and steriods.  I'm getting better, and what I observe today is how I am in the process of change.  My perceptions are shifting, tangibly, from those of a tentative, weak, reliant, sick person to those of an optimistic, proactive, engaged well person.  What interests me is that I'm witnessing this shift in my experience, as my body fights off the infection.... Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:04:15 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7045296 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7045296 I've had a day where my most prominent feeling has been one of gratitude.  I acknowledge every day what an extraordinary privilege it is to be so closely involved in the lives of others through Family Groups and Families Helping Families courses, and all those involved in these groups know how well each of us support and resource each other.  Today has provided a number of examples of just how many people are prepared to go the extra mile to support the work we are doing.   OP... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:52:20 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7031838 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=7031838 I think a lot about change.  More specifically, I think a lot about ways to support change.  In fact, change is at the very root of why The School & Family Works exists.  Our Family Groups offer parents and young people the chance to be supported through a process of change which they drive themselves, at a pace they can handle.   Victoria Eadie, Head at Feltham Community College, is a leader of change and a firm supporter of the Family Group process.  Last ... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:13:28 GMT http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=6946255 http://e-voice.org.uk/tsafw/marksblog/one-entry?entry_id=6946255 Firstly, WELCOME. Thanks for your interest in our work, and please come back. Although keeping this blog absolutely up to date will not always be a priority, everything written here will be directly relevant to our mission.   A child and parent 'graduated' from one of our Family Groups recently. Six months ago the child was at risk of exclusion due to the utterly incomprehensible behaviour s/he was presenting. Rude, defiant and at times violent behaviour had exhausted the patience of sta... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:46:33 GMT