Thriving in Community Wellbeing service

05/05/2022

We run courses and Webinars for young people aged 11-16 and their parents in the field of Mental Health in Community.

Webinars for parents offering practical advice and strategies for supporting their child with anxiety and or depression
DNA-V Thriving Adolescent Courses for young people aged 11-16
Best practice social and emotional support for young people
Join our community at www.thriving-in-community.com

03/05/2022

Thriving in Community runs a regular contemplation / meditation class online the first Sunday of every month.
Meet like-minded people who are passionate about the contemplative wisdom from all traditions, as a support to transformation and loving action in the world.

01/05/2022

There was an article in the Independent recently stating that kids are waiting 112 days to be seen by CAMHS in Bromley. I would be interested to hear people’s experience of navigating CAMHS?

Exclusive: survey lays bare extent of help denied by CAMHS to under-18s who are struggling mentally

24/04/2022

All through your life, the most precious experiences seem to vanish. Transience turns everything to air. You look behind and see no sign even of a yesterday that was so intense. Yet in truth, nothing ever disappears, nothing is lost. Everything that happens to us in the world passes into us. It all becomes part of the inner temple of the soul and it can never be lost. This is the art of the soul: to harvest your deeper life from all the seasons of your experience. This is probably why the soul never surfaces fully. The intimacy and tenderness of its light would blind us. We continue in our days to wander between the shadowing and the brightening, while all the time a more subtle brightness sustains us. If we could but realize the sureness around us, we would be much more courageous in our lives. The frames of anxiety that keep us caged would dissolve. We would live the life we love and in that way, day by day, free our future from the weight of regret.

JOHN O'DONOHUE



www.thriving-in-community.com

19/04/2022

I love the quote below. It speaks to me of empathy and solidarity in suffering. The conscious circle of humanity.

It is a testament to the times we live in that we are so uncomfortable with suffering, with raw painful emotion in ourselves and in others. To know we are not alone, that there are those who are willing to hold the space and stand with us shoulder to shoulder in courageous vulnerability is a fierce grace.

If we can teach this to our children, our adolescents they will learn there is no shame in sadness, or in struggling but there is an invitation to intimacy and communion with others. A shared understanding of common humanity and vulnerability.

-in-community.com

13/04/2022

#
www.thriving-in-communiy.com

Social and Emotional Skills are a fundamental pre-requisite for thriving as an Adolescent and an Adult. The World Health Organization states “One in seven 10–19-year-olds experience Mental Health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and psychologica...

12/04/2022

DNA-V Thriving Adolescent Course

I am pure potential, a blank canvas, an empty book
Moment by moment I create from my heart
I write my own story, line by line on the page
A creation of my own, full of meaning takes shape
Guided by my values, my heart as the compass
It sets the direction and nurtures seeds of success
Success that is measured from deep within my own self,
Not judged from the outside, or expected by others.

In this precious journey of creating a life and a self
I have been given many gifts and tools for safekeeping
An ancient advisor who keeps me safe and alert
A gift from my ancestors learnt and embedded
But I get to choose, whether to listen or release it
I can feel it’s ancient fear without reacting or fighting
It often makes mistakes, it yells, and it screams
But It’s voice must be heard, before it breaks into quiet.

My superpowers of noticing, sensing and feeling
The animal wisdom of the body, the miracle of this breath
Can be used to slow down, to calm and to nourish.
I learn to watch the emotions as they rise and they fall,
I listen to their messages, their songs and their stories
In naming and experiencing the sensations of each
I describe and I map, a vast emotional terrain
Shared by the rest of humanity, universally felt.
I move with the emotion like riding the crest of a wave
As natural as swaying or dancing to melody
The waves fall and they break, and are silent once more.

My discoverer skills help me navigate the unknown
I become the hero of this journey by leaving what I know
I grow when I try, I learn the most when I stumble
I discover my courage, in my daring to fall.
In trying, tracking and testing new ways of being
I learn to be guided by my hearts inner truth
And in so doing, I find the strength to embody what I love
And in loving who I become, I throw my arms open to the world
To receive and to give all the treasures of this incredible life
And stand humbly in the light of my own beauty and promise.
www.thriving-in-community.com
#

06/04/2022

Things I want my daughter to know about friendship:

1. Not everyone is going to like you. It’s okay. (I know it won’t always feel like that’s true, but I promise it is)

2. Not everyone is going to invite you. That’s okay too.

3. You’ll never regret kindness. (Never ever).

4. If you constantly have to tiptoe around them, they’re not your people.

5. You get to choose them, so choose the ones who are choosing you back.

6. Have high standards when it comes to friends, but don’t be unrealistic. They’re going to mess up, so are you. Grace is essential.

7. Be yourself. Let other people be themselves right back.

8. You can’t have friends if you don’t know how to be a friend. Focus on being the best friend you possibly can.

9. Don’t wait. You’re allowed to do the inviting and the reaching out too.

10. Listen.

11. If you want them to be there for the big stuff, you’re gonna have to be there for each other in the small stuff too.

12. Don’t knowingly leave people out. It doesn’t feel good.

13. Gossip is garbage.

14. Drama is too. Stay above the fray, and feel free to walk away.

15. You can’t be best friends with everyone. But you can notice everyone. You can smile at everyone. You can say hello to everyone. You can be good to everyone and make sure people feel seen.

16. It’s better to be genuinely loved by a few than fake loved by a few thousand.

17. Popularity for the sake of popularity is pointless.

18. Your worth will never come from others. You have to learn to accept yourself if you want others to accept you.

19. Give more than you take, but don’t be anyone’s doormat. Your momma didn’t raise you right so you could be walked all over.

20. Your friends should be good to you, but they should also be good to other people. If they’re nice to you and then turn around and talk smack about others, they’re not nice.

21. Be loyal. Stick up for your friends whether they’re around or aren’t.

22. Friends aren’t toys to be discarded when you get bored. Deep friendships take time and commitment.

22. Show up for your friends even if they didn’t ask you to. If they’re going through something hard check on them, sit with them, and bring them flowers. Be present, even if it feels awkward.

23. If Mama don’t like them, there’s probably a good reason.

24.Friendship is one of the most important things you can invest in in life. Make the time.

25. If you get hurt, I’m always here for a hug, and to talk, I’ve been there. Give yourself time and grace to heal, but listen my love, don’t close yourself up and don’t shut yourself away. Opening up your heart again is worth the risk. I love you to the moon and back.

Written by Amy Weatherly & Jess Johnston

04/04/2022

THE BABY STEPS OF THE TRUE HERO

The true hero or heroine has been ravaged by life.

They are not invincible. They are not superhuman. They are wounded but hold their wounds in compassion.

They do not pretend to know everything.

Fragile and vulnerable to the elements, close to doubt and fear and shame, nevertheless they forge ahead into the Unknown, into the storm of experience, into the monster’s lair, into the wilderness of the soul.

Even towards certain death they go.

Unwilling, sometimes, but willing to be unwilling, too.

Not always fearlessly, but with fear as a guide and familiar companion.

And in taking the steps, in walking the rocky path, they discover a courage and a strength they never knew they had. They find out who they really are, moment by moment. They break many times and are remade many times on the journey. They change the world not by changing the world but by coming closer to their own edge, by letting their hearts break and showing the world what's possible.

This is the work of the moment, then:

To lean in to your present experience, however uncomfortable.

To breathe into your fear and anxiety, however intense.

To watch the madness of the mind, and not get sucked into it.

To slow down when every part of you wants to speed up.

To stay, when every part of you is screaming to leave.

To be with yourself, to bring attention to your inner world, when you need yourself the most.

In meditation, we remember our true heroism.

Powerful in our softness,
unbreakable in our vulnerability,
we take our baby steps.

- Jeff Foster

01/04/2022

You are enough...
You are beautifully perfect, my sweet girl, so please don’t ever let anyone crush your remarkable spirit.
Don’t listen to the voices saying you are not good enough.
Don’t listen to the voices saying you are not the right mould.
Don’t listen to the voices, echoing in your head, saying you need to be more.
You are beautifully perfect, my sweet girl.
Don’t listen to the chaos of negativity pulling you under.
Don’t listen to the toxicity emanating from the mouths of those who are weak.
Don’t listen to those who find comfort in tearing you apart.
You are beautifully perfect, my sweet girl.
Listen to your heart, the piece that elevates you and raises you up, encircling you in pure happiness.
Listen to your soul, the depth of your core, that fills you up with passion.
Listen to your inner voice, calling out your name, telling you, that you are enough.
You are beautifully perfect, my sweet girl.
Don’t listen to the voices dragging down the spirit within you that searches for a brighter tomorrow.
Don’t listen to the voices surrounding you, making you question your worth, physical beauty and innermost self.
Don’t listen to the voices that tug at your persona, forcing you to analyse every fibre of your being.
You are beautifully perfect, my sweet girl.
Listen to what you know to be true, sweet girl, and always remain loyal to who you are.
Listen to your heart, the one guiding you forward along your intimate journey of life.
Listen to your gut, sensing the deep feeling of loss, where passion once stood, and know that it’s time to let go.
But don’t listen to the nonsense riddling your brain with lies.
Listen to your heart, my sweet girl, for you are and always have always been enough.
Now go out there,
believe it,
live it and say proudly,
I am enough.
*Shared with permission from Hang in there mama by Ali Flynn

01/04/2022

29/03/2022

How do we as parents hold a compassionate space for Teenagers and help to support their mental and emotional wellbeing at home.
#

What can we do as parents to support our adolescents mental health and foster self compassion.

24/03/2022

They say the most important thing you can do as a parent is let your child become who they want to be.

For years she wore the clothes I wanted, did the activities I signed her up for, and people pleased the crap out of me.

And truth be told, she made it simple for us to get along. She was an easy kid.

But in the last year, she is finding her voice, her style, her beliefs. She is formulating her own opinions and choices and dreams.

And it is hard. And it is beautiful. And it is challenging.

We don’t see eye to eye on most things, and our relationship is more work. Sometimes it is exhausting, sometimes it’s full of tears, sometimes I am so exasperated I want to throw in the towel.

But I can also see the promise of greatness in her dreams.

I see her strength in her convictions.

I see the kindness in her eyes.

And our love and bond hold strong.

I recognize that an easier relationship with me doesn’t necessarily translate to a more productive adult.

I have to be okay with that.

So, while sometimes I wonder where that little girl went that thought I hung the moon, I am also loving this challenging woman emerging in front of me—the one who is changing me a little bit,
too.

And while I may not support all her choices, I know that letting her make as many as possible will be the glue that keeps our relationship in tact.

So, I let go to hold on, and watch as she starts to take flight.

It may not be the route I would have suggested, but I take comfort knowing I taught her to fly.

*shared with permission from Whitney Fleming Writes

24/03/2022

Hands down... so not ready for it! 💜

21/03/2022

Webinars on Zoom
For Adolescents aged 11-14. 26th March 10-11am

Becoming the Hero of your own Journey. What do you have in common with your Hero's and Heroines? What does Adolescence have to do with the Hero's Journey?

We will explore key themes of Adolescence using Joseph Campbell's universal narrative structure. Themes include: Moving into the unknown, tests and trials of adolescence, learning from failure & mistakes, following your bliss, and the evolving self view.

For Parents of Adolescents aged 11-14. 19th April 19.45-20.45
This is a chance to learn about the upcoming Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing 6 Week Course starting April 26th.

Learn practical strategies, techniques and a developmental framework for working with Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. Based on the DNA-V model of Acceptance Commitment Therapy, developed by Louise Hayes & Joseph Ciarrochi and our work within Schools and the Menta Health Sector.

Parents are very much a part of the work that we do, so we will be detailing how you can incorporate the DNA=V model into your discussions around Mental Health & Wellbeing with your Adolescents.

www.thriving-in-community.com
#

18/03/2022

Grace.

14/03/2022

I am so excited to announce the launch of Thriving In Community based in Bromley, Kent. The company was created with a single mission, to help and serve the mental health and wellbeing of adolescents 11-16 and adults in our community.

Thriving in Community aims to promote Mental Health and Wellbeing through the delivery of acclaimed courses and free webinars. Learning happens best when it is embodied, felt and experienced holistically and in relationship with others.

Our interventions include:
• ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy)
• Positive Psychology
• Mindfulness for Mental Health
• Yoga Therapy for Mental Health
• Psycho-Education
• Group Work
• Practical Self Regulation
• Breathwork
• Self Compassion training.

We are committed to creating a nurturing community where people feel they can contribute, as well as participate, support one another, make new friends, grow in confidence and learn in relationship with others.
If you know anyone who may benefit from this page, please share.
www.thriving-in-community.com