55. Steven Russell - children in care deserve better | Wild Card - Whose Shoes?

When I originally set up the Wild Card - Whose Shoes podcast series, I wanted to provide a way of amplifying the voices of people who inspire me and who are making a difference. Steven Russell simply had to be a guest because his story is so important.

Steven tells his own story of growing up as a child in care, the emotional trauma and insecurity that can result, but showing huge resilience and strength, surviving the system.

Everyone who works with children or has children in their lives needs to hear it – such an eye-opener about trust, relationships, language, assumptions and so much more.

Steven is now inspiring children and young people in similar circumstances to believe that they can be anything they want to be, and role modelling this in such a powerful way.

Steven’s own childhood story is so powerful we focused on that and will record Part 2 to tell you more about this work. You can find out more in the links – Elements - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! #DripByDrip #DayByDay

Huge synergy with the #MPFTWhoseShoes project we are doing with the Children and Families’ team of Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust, using Whose Shoes to explore different aspects of their service and how it can be improved. Our forthcoming module, to be launched on 15 July, explores the topic of helping children in care have happy, successful lives.

Lemon lightbulbs 🍋💡🍋

You have to find your own path; no-one can do it for you
Commit your goals to paper; make it real
Start small and build - drip by drip, day by day
We all need someone to believe in us
Looking back at a turbulent childhood through adult eyes brings new understanding
You can't force trust - you have to grow relationships
Care records need to be written with sensitivity for the grown-up child to read one day
Loads of different adults telling you different things is confusing and traumatic
Learning about your past while still navigating the care system can be overwhelming
The organismic self - the itch inside you that makes you YOU, desite everything
Nature versus nurture - fascinating!
Living in care made Steven super adaptable
Stories resonate because all human beings connect!

Links:

Elements - Steven's brilliant work!
I'm just a teacher
Steven's video about his Mum
Gill's podcast episode with Rachel Tomlinson, a progressive headteacher

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Connect with me - Gill Phillips - on LinkedIn, especially if you are interested in our brand new #CYPWhoseShoes resources or our well-established #MatExp (maternity experience) work.

I tweet (not so much these days!) as @WhoseShoes and am on Instagram as @WhoseShoesUK and @WildCardWS.

Please recommend 'Wild Card - Whose Shoes' to others who enjoy hearing passionate people talk about their experiences of improving health care.

55. Steven Russell - children in care deserve better

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