Smash Life

Proud of our team 💙

💥Smash Life💥 Smash Life Mentoring Professional Feedback: We were absolutely delighted to receive this feedback regarding the mentoring Sophie in our team is providing as we work closely with Shropshire Council Virtual School We provide reports as part of our mentoring and we always ask our staff to advocate and never be afraid to raise / put forward the child’s voice - everyone else in the process should have the resilience to digest this- after all in many cases our non intrusive PACE approach means we are quick to establish a connection with the child and with their consent we are able to help other professionals understand their thoughts, feelings , wishes, triggers and sometimes behaviour which can be invaluable for everyone in the process to change / adapt and ensure the child can feel seen, heard and listened too - in many cases “children will give us the answers if we truly LISTEN” We are proud of Sophie who has taken a permanent role with us as a senior mentor, her experience, knowledge, positive mindset, huge heart and approach is making Sophie a huge asset to Smash Life. If you want to know more about our school based, or commissioned mentoring please email [email protected] “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #mentoring #semh #report #safeguarding #approach #pace #childrenincare #leadingfromtheheart #socialcare #believe #strengthbased #pastoral #trauma #advocate #socialwork #localauthority #midlands #shropshire #wellbeing #teenagers #mentalhealth #traumainformed

💥Smash Life💥 Last week Andy & Matt had the pleasure of travelling to Essex and delivering a keynote / training to Affinity Fostering Services foster carers and professionals. We can hand on heart say this was one of the best welcomes and care we have received during our formation of Smash Life - making us feel welcome, relaxed and looked after / all the things we talk about that we should roll model to children. We loved the energy in the room, from participating in our interactive sections, honest conversations to everyone being available, open and honest - people were invested and it showed. We hope our vulnerability engaged and inspired and it was also lovely to spend the evening with Affinity & all the foster carers where the conversations, interaction and fun continued. A huge thank you to Vicky Sellen who invited us, liaised with us and ensured we were looked after - we appreciate it. Hopefully we will meet again in 2025 A day to remember and one to reinforce our #leadingfromtheheart message “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #mentor #speakers #trainers #traumainformed #fostering #fostercare #vulnerability #livedexperience #socialcare #children #semh #connection #inspire #togetherstronger #affinityfostering #smashlifeuk #leadingfromtheheart #childrenincare

💥Smash Life💥 Last week Andy virtually connected with the children in the voices group of Affinity Fostering Andy delivered a interactive motivational talk and also asked the lively group some questions ahead of our keynote at the fostering conference next week - it was lovely to see the honesty and mutual respect which arrived from Andys vulnerability It’s always hard to connect with children / teenagers virtually especially the first time BUT they gave me some great interaction, banter, and reflections Andy / Matt can use in our talk on Thursday Well done kids 👏👌 A huge thanks to Vicky Sellen for connecting with us and inviting us to be part of a no doubt uplifting, thought provoking and inspiring day - we are looking forward to meeting you “The power of lived experience” “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #mentoring #livedexperience #smashlife #givingback #inspire #motivate #real #socialcare #fostering

💥Smash Life💥 FEEDBACK We were delighted to receive this mentoring feedback from a lovely Assistant head at a primary school we visit. Jane is a warm and caring human with a brilliant relational approach - she is child centred and this shows in her day to day work with children in a range of primary & secondary educational settings We also like to have “radiators” on board working for us - humans that will be magnets 🧲 for the children we care for every day - children need to KNOW and feel our energy and care - this is a non negotiable for us. We firmly believe that “A steady presence builds lasting connections” and that’s when we see huge changes and the children begin to Believe, Achieve and Become the best versions of themselves. Our presence may also be felt in the wider school setting which is important as we all need to “work together” We love working with schools, it’s amazing to be creative and find new ways to connect with children. If you interested in us supporting children in your school or organisation please email [email protected] - we can offer bespoke packages ranging from 1 hour to full day children SEMH support, group sessions and group work. “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #mentor #feedback #support #semh #schools #pastoral #smashlifeuk #givingback #leadingfromtheheart #connection #trauma #aces #learning #personaldecelopment #mentoring #alternativeprovison #shropshire #uk #shrewsbury #telford #inspire

💥Smash Life💥 Last week we had the absolute pleasure of going to deliver a training to the fantastic carers at Keswick Care. We were invited back after delivering training a couple of years ago and once again we had such a great day with everyone. We delivered our “Through The Eyes Of A Child In Care” training and make the day interactive, informative, fun and educational. We were able to have open and honest conversations, educate from our personal and professional experiences and also being in some fun games and challenges to help promote the importance of building that connection - being CREATIVE / referring to your “why” - “it’s ALL in your approach” We were joined by our #CEP friend Tayler Walters who was able to join in the conversations and delivered a really poignant poem reading at the end. We were able to offer some advice and strategies - things that work for our organisation and strategies that many of the new carers can take forward in their practice. If your supporting and caring for children - do not put a time frame on anything - just be consistent, care, connect, listen, be proactive, highlight their thoughts wishes and feelings and show an interest in what they love - as we say “it’s ALL in your approach” Keswick Care - thanks so much for having us we loved the energy. If you want to know more about our talks and training services please email [email protected] “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” smashlifeuk.com #training #talks #smashlifeuk #aces #trauma #abuse #careexperienced #cep #instagood #carehome #approach #caring #resilience #believe #showingyoucare #children #socialcare #pastoral #knowingyourwhy #makingadifference #understandingbehaviour #speakers #mentors #trainers #liveevents #wellbeing #childcentred #leadingfromtheheart

💥Smash Life💥 Training “A Sibling Perspective” “An estimated 37% of children with a sibling – that is 20,000 children – are separated from a sibling when placed in care” - Children’s Commissioner 2023 This is stark reading. We ALL know that a sibling relationship can be a protective factor for children in care and it can often bring: 💙 A strong emotional connection, with an emphasis on love and joy 💙Stability and The importance of shared experiences 💙Mutual support to one another, both practical and emotional Put simply a SIBLING BOND is all some children may have which is a LIFELONG BOND - this makes it extremely important for us ALL to help promote this bond, and help children obtain and understand the knowledge, importance and skills to keep this special bond when they reach adulthood and naturally the support leaves them. As brothers growing up on the UK care system we fully understand the importance over this bond and we also KNOW due to failings from adults around us as children the work we have had to put in as adults to repair this bond. A bond that many children who love with loving parents are role modelled how to nurture during childhood. We support many siblings that are in care NOW often listening to them but also giving open, honest, practical advice and guidance on a bond which can and should be lifelong. Our training explores the complexities of the sibling bond in care, how we can listen and support children that experience separation, how we can work with wider professionals, carers to help repair and enhance that bond and how it’s up to us ALL NOW to equip children with the LIFE SKILLS they need to keep this precious bond and thrive as siblings when they become adults. Children in care understand how the sibling bond brings a sense of security, love and support they may have lost elsewhere - it’s up to us as caring adults to nurture and support this important bond If you would like more information on our #leadingfromtheheart siblings in care training please contact [email protected] “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #ukcaresystem #cep #livedexperience #fostercare #siblingsincare #support #guidance #training #learning #givingback #mentors #socialworkers #fostering #socialservices #trauma #support #guidance #inspire

💥Smash Life💥 We are ABSOLUTELY buzzing to see a young man we supported for a few years absolutely SMASHING LIFE in his new Bricklaying Apprenticeship role with local company Tom Groves Brickwork Ltd This young man has earn’t this opportunity and we have no doubt will continue to push himself to believe and achieve in life. We have no doubt that he will be under the best possible guidance, mentorship and care with @tgbrickworkandconstructionltd - we have already heard the conversations they are having and it’s amazing to hear a company that is invested in the person and will try and help him navigate through life but also push him to be the best he can be - something many care leavers often need more support and guidance with. Big smiles from us and well done to the young man 🧍♂️ “it’s the choices you make not the chances your take that determines your destiny” We can’t wait to visit and hopefully one day he can build us a new Smash Life HQ 😜 Smash Life “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #happy #success #givingback #support #semh #construction #brickwork #invest #community #mentality #socialcare #childcentered #believe #mentors #speakers #trainers #happy #shropshire #intagood

💥Smash Life💥 We Really do appreciate this feedback from Shropshire Council Virtual School Regarding our “woodland experience” for children We BELIEVE in not just talking about connection and relational approaches BUT modelling this when it matters the most - SO the children FEEL it. A connection is earned through repetition and the children feeling safe, secure, valued and around adults invested in them. We LOVE what we do 💙 For more information on our woodland experiences please email [email protected] #leadingfromtheheart “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #outdoors #nature #fun #engagement #connection #biophilia #wellbeing #pace #approaches #impact #feeling #cep #livedexperience #woodland #youth #socialcare #experience #childled #mentoring #events #training #bespoke #workshops #shropshire

💥Smash Life💥 Last weekend we had the pleasure of being invited again to the @shropshirecouncil virtual schools celebration day for children in care. Sophie from our team attended and it was lovely to offer some fun and “Smash Life Challenges” so the children could engage and win some smash life goodies ❤️💙😎 Well done to Shropshire Virtual School for once again hosting an awesome day for children to be recognised and rewarded for the amazing their achievements despite navigating through some hard personal struggles. It fills us with pride when we see children continue to achieve despite “life’s hurdles”. It was also wonderful to see so many carers coming to witness the awards and success their children have had. The virtual school team it’s clear to see are building some wonderful relationships and connections with the children in their care by giving their time, ears, noticing achievements and providing brilliant, engaging and fun events - children WILL FEEL SEEN. The Fabulous Sophie from our team had a wonderful day connecting with everyone, providing activities and having fun. Thanks Shropshire VS and well done Kids 👌👏 “Overcoming Life’s Hurdles Together” www.smashlifeuk.com #mentors #cic #achieve #achievments #success #love #socialcare #community #happy #funday #shropshire #connection #livedexperience #smashlifeuk #givingback #youth #thriving #welldone