Kibble Admin

Ahead of the More Than My Trauma webinars later this month, Dan Johnson, Clinical Director of youth care charity Kibble, shares his hopes for driving enduring organisational change towards truly trauma-responsive services for young people

In the last few years there has been heightened interest in the effects of trauma and adversity, and what this means for how we care for children.
It seems like most people understand the basics. Firstly, children’s experiences can have a profound effect on their development. Secondly, experiencing traumatic events can mean a higher likelihood of poor mental and physical health, and concerning behaviour. Thirdly, experiencing consistent and attuned care can raise the likelihood of healthy development. And finally, the most complex difficulties can occur when children experience trauma in the absence of the care and support they need.

Kibble is a specialist child and youth care charity and social enterprise with roots dating back 160 years. We provide a range of integrated services for children and young people aged 5 – 26 ranging from education, residential care, secure care, intensive fostering and community housing and support. We also have several social enterprises and a partnership with St Mirren Football Club that aims to provide employment and vocational opportunities.

At Kibble, our research shows that many of the children and young people we care for have experienced significant adversity and trauma. We understand that this is often the root cause of many of the difficulties they experience in the here and now. This understanding has meant that we’ve been trying to find the right response for these children both at an individual level, but also as an organisation.

As we have implemented trauma-responsive services we’ve learned that doing it properly, to implement authentic and meaningful changes, is not quick and nor should it be easy. In fact, when children have some of the most severe experiences and display some of the most concerning behaviour, it can require people at their best, working together. Responding to children is sometimes hardest when it is needed most, and it can rarely be done alone.

For this reason, we’re helping to organise the More than My Trauma conference. It will bring together some of the world’s leading experts with committed workers who are trying to do the right thing for children every day. This is a fantastic opportunity to work together to find real, tangible and practical ways to support and respond to young people. As more people understand the basics, the focus shifts to finding creative and powerful ways to directly support children.

The conference can be a big step forward in this. If we’re lucky, it could help Scotland move to a new phase of the trauma journey we’ve been on, and lead to meaningful changes in the way that children are educated and cared for.

To be a Kibble volunteer, we ask that you are reliable, dedicated and caring – three traits which existing Kibble volunteer Jane possesses. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Jane asked Kibble if she could continue supporting the young people, showing her true commitment to the role. She was determined to carry on strengthening the bonds she had begun to form with our young people.

Jane was motivated to volunteer with Kibble to gain experience working alongside children and young people. Read her interview to find out more about volunteering at Kibble.

What does your volunteering at Kibble involve?

Volunteering at Kibble involves spending time with young people and supporting them develop hobbies and interests. 

Has the experienced helped you gain new skills?

I have developed an array of skills while becoming a volunteer in Paisley for Kibble. My people skills have improved through working with the young people, I have also learnt the importance of listening.

The experienced members of staff have helped me develop knowledge about child protection guidelines and policies.

I know my skills will continue to grow as I build upon my experience. 

Was there anything about volunteering at Kibble that surprised you?

The range of services at Kibble surprised me. It is difficult to appreciate everything Kibble does to improve the lives of young people. Realising the difference Kibble can have on a young person, makes me incredibly proud to be part of it.

I was pleasantly surprised at the level of training on offer to volunteers. This has helped significantly improve my confidence in working with young people.

The support services have been great, Human Resources were extremely helpful from the moment I initially enquired about volunteering.  

How do you support the organisation?

I am an additional resource who can help the organisation support young people. The most important factors in becoming a volunteer are commitment and consistency in order to build genuine trust with the young people.

What is your favourite part about volunteering?

I really enjoy spending time with the young people at Kibble. I love getting to know their individual personalities and forming relationships with them.

What is your advice to people considering volunteering?

It is important to volunteer for something you feel passionate about. The best piece of advice I can offer would be, once you have committed to the role, be consistent with your time commitment. Look beyond the week to week and take time to attend any training on offer as it will help you both as a volunteer and as a person.

What makes you proud to volunteer with Kibble?

My pride in volunteering with Kibble seems to come out indirectly. When people ask me about my role and I tell them, they comment on how enthusiastically I talk about what I am doing. It is very satisfying knowing that I contribute to making a positive impact on a young person’s life.

Has Jane inspired you to become a volunteer?

Kibble can offer you the opportunity to volunteer with children and young people. There are many different reasons to volunteer. For some it’s to give back to the local community and for others, it’s a chance to develop skills before pursuing a new career.

For more information on volunteering, please contact hr@kibble.org

Kibble’s team of psychologists is offering confidential telephone support to St. Mirren Football Club, helping to tackle the stigma around mental health in sport.

Following the positive uptake of our ‘Safe Space to Talk’ support line which was first introduced to Kibble staff, we are now extending this support to footballers and staff at St. Mirren. The confidential service has also benefited residential workers across the country who are caring for vulnerable members of society.

The service will offer staff, players and management private, online one-to-one sessions with Kibble’s psychologists as well as access to a confidential phone service manned by one of Kibble’s experienced staff therapists seven days a week.

The stigma surrounding men’s mental health in sport has increasingly been a subject of discussion, and this evening (Thursday, 28 May), in a BBC1 documentary the Duke of Cambridge meets with professional footballers to explore what role mental health plays in ‘the beautiful game’.

While Kibble will launch the service with St. Mirren FC, it hopes to open the confidential line up to professional footballers across the country, supporting them through the pandemic and beyond.

Chief Executive of Kibble and Director of St Mirren, Jim Gillespie, said: “Our number one priority throughout this pandemic has been to protect and support our staff as best we can, but it’s important to extend that support, where possible, to the players that need it.

“Our team of psychologists are hugely experienced, and we have recently seen the benefit of providing such a service when we offered residential care workers throughout the sector a ‘Safe Space to Talk’. With the additional stresses we have all faced as a result of the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we emphasise the value of taking the time to talk. It’s the ambition of the club to have a successful season and supporting players and St Mirren through mental health wellbeing will go a long way to achieving that.”

Jim Goodwin, St. Mirren manager, said: “Football has long had a macho culture, and the human aspect of the game has often been overlooked, so it is vital that we make a conscious effort, especially at this time, to make sure our whole team is well looked after.

“Kibble gives us access to a range of expertise which can help us make St. Mirren the best team to work for, play for and, of course, support.”

The online and phone sessions will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am – 6pm, and Thursday’s from 12pm – 8pm.  Appointments will also be available at weekends where needed.