Time to Heal Together

Time to Heal Together Connecting with and empowering others to access emotional healing.

Whilst not wishing to undermine the importance of academic knowledge and skills,  for me there are three other words beg...
01/02/2026

Whilst not wishing to undermine the importance of academic knowledge and skills, for me there are three other words beginning with ‘R’ which are vital in education.

I believe that collectively they help create an environment in which it feels safe to learn, where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and where ultimately pupils are enabled to fulfil their potential.

Nor are they passively accepted as automatically given from students to staff. For I believe respect is earned through demonstrating that we as adults are safe, trustworthy people who care enough to connect even when situations become tricky and dysregulation affects more than the individual who is finding it difficult to manage their emotions.

Being the Protective Behaviours advocate that I am, these words are for me at the heart of solid PB practice which goes beyond being a school which teaches the curriculum to one which in which it is embedded in all aspects of school life.

Saturdays are, in my opinion, for topping up your wellbeing whilst doing some of the things that bring you joy.From Warw...
31/01/2026

Saturdays are, in my opinion, for topping up your wellbeing whilst doing some of the things that bring you joy.

From Warwick parkrun this morning with some lovely colleagues to leading a Drawing and Talking session as part of a Winter Wellbeing Day, I have felt really at ease and peaceful throughout these activities.

Now off home to recharge in a less active way. The older I get the more I realise it’s not healthy or sustainable to constantly be doing at the expense of sometimes just being.

Persistence in the face of repeated disappointment is not always easy but in the long run can prove highly beneficial.Un...
29/01/2026

Persistence in the face of repeated disappointment is not always easy but in the long run can prove highly beneficial.

Unsuccessful applications in the Great North Run ballot for several years left me doubtful whether I would ever get a place at this renowned event and perhaps it was time to just accept and focus on some others on my list. However, one runner’s dream (mine) became another’s too in the shape of my brother and hence we discussed whether we could find a different route to get us to that start line.

Signing up to run for Winston's Wish this September felt like the perfect thing to do. As an Adult Bereaved As Child myself I can’t wait to raise both cash and awareness of their vital work whilst doing one of my favourite hobbies with my brother right by my side.

Somewhat of a shock and surprise to find myself delivering a short presentation to nearly 30 people this afternoon as op...
28/01/2026

Somewhat of a shock and surprise to find myself delivering a short presentation to nearly 30 people this afternoon as opposed to the 10 or so I’d expected.

Events beyond my control left me without the time I’d usually like to prepare and rehearse but fortunately I know the subject matter well enough to not so much wing it but talk without a script quite confidently.

On a day I’ve felt less than my best it felt great to see the friendly face of a former colleague in the room and hear that I came across well.

Only a couple of years ago a situation like this would have resulted in major anxiety in advance and second guessing afterwards as to whether it was good enough. Further proof that Risking on Purpose and stretching my own comfort zone continues to pay dividends in professional and personal growth.

Nearing the end of January and I have completed my two acts of kindness dedicated to my mum’s legacy in this year we mar...
27/01/2026

Nearing the end of January and I have completed my two acts of kindness dedicated to my mum’s legacy in this year we mark 25 years since she died.

One for family, the other for friends I felt a strong sense she would have approved and liked how I set off on this personal act of remembrance.

Lighting my Robin candle was my way of acknowledging I have begun what I set out to do in these twelve months and will be a pattern I repeat each time the monthly acts are done.

Living with grief as I have done since a teenager has brought home to me that time does not heal necessarily nor do we go through stages in an order which leads to eventually being able to “move on” from incredibly painful events. Nevertheless, I do believe we can learn and choose to carry those big associated emotions in ways which reflect the love we continue to feel for those significant people who have died.

Less than a week to go until this Winter Warmth and Wellbeing event.I’ll be there leading a group Drawing and Talking se...
26/01/2026

Less than a week to go until this Winter Warmth and Wellbeing event.

I’ll be there leading a group Drawing and Talking session on the emotion of calm😌

Belonging, for me at least, transcends, being in a physical place with others. It’s how we feel when connected in a shar...
25/01/2026

Belonging, for me at least, transcends, being in a physical place with others. It’s how we feel when connected in a shared passion, vision or purpose.

I’ve had those feelings for days in anticipation of a meeting today with some of my fellow Protective Behaviours Council members.

Some might think it odd to feel this way about an activity which involves giving up an hour or so of my weekend but for those who actually know me it will come as no surprise, given how obvious it is that PBs resonates deeply in both personal and professional senses.

Looking forward to having many mindful
moments this morning in the company of a group I find inspiring and who despite my relative inexperience and limited knowledge base never fail to leave me feeling safe, welcome, included and with valued contributions to make.

Finding this bookmark again recently left me reflecting on how our names can be such an important part of our identity.P...
24/01/2026

Finding this bookmark again recently left me reflecting on how our names can be such an important part of our identity.

Personalised items like this often have an air of generalisation but I do like to think there is a grain or two of truth in the description of mine, despite perhaps a preference on the Protective Behaviours part of my character not to align with the violent connotations of warrior but more so one who has determination and strength of the resilience kind.

In a classroom context, I find it important to check in with pupils, as well as staff, at the start of the year as to their preferred name. For some the shortening of longer ones feels safe, for others less so and for me it is one of the best ways to build trust in those early days in showing that they have choice and control over such an important detail which will be respected.

The more I learn about mental health, and certainly my own, the more I believe it is far more nuanced than either good/b...
22/01/2026

The more I learn about mental health, and certainly my own, the more I believe it is far more nuanced than either good/bad or up/down.

The past couple of days have been a case in point as events on both the personal and professional front filled up my bucket or narrowed my own window of tolerance, depending on which analogy you prefer. Nevertheless I continued to find moments of lightness and brightness which lifted my wellbeing.

My run this evening linked quite well with my musings as fairly early into a speed session I had a strong desire to quit and give up on it for the day. Rarely do I feel as physically and mentally drained as I did then and there came a mental crossroads when the choice was either stop or persist.

Both options valid but nevertheless with logical consequences ensuing: stopping meaning prioritising rest and recovery but likely accompanied with feelings of frustration and disappointment at my own lack of commitment. Continuing meaning a hard slog which would undoubtedly feel uncomfortable yet end with feelings of satisfaction at overcoming difficulties.

Whichever option I went for, the main thing is recognising whatever the situation knowing you have choices in how you view or respond can really make a big difference to your sense of emotional wellbeing.

When a post-work treat helps you take further steps on your own grief journey.Tomorrow I will be accompanying some colle...
20/01/2026

When a post-work treat helps you take further steps on your own grief journey.

Tomorrow I will be accompanying some colleagues and pupils to the official opening of a local park. I had some small involvement in its redesign and for me it feels special to be invited to its launch. I wanted to look a bit fancier than my usual casual run wear and hence asked a friend for a manicure.

Tomorrow also happens to be my parents’ wedding anniversary and a few days ago I felt a deep, sad ache of grief linked to another celebration without my mum and also her absence on a day I’d liked to have shared a special moment in my career with her.

Hence I took her eternity ring from my memory box and decided this would also come with me tomorrow- signifying the love that joined back in 1978 still lives on, as does the love I still feel for her nearly twenty five years after her death.

Nothing like some new stationery to begin an intention of spending more time on my own professional development as a   p...
18/01/2026

Nothing like some new stationery to begin an intention of spending more time on my own professional development as a practitioner.

I chose to spend some of my Saturday watching a recording of a masterclass focussed on anxiety and how we can help schools feel safer for both the pupils and adults who go there every day.

Linking extremely well with my passion for , I certainly took some new ideas on board and was left feeling inspired to share some of the key points with others at my setting.

I think it’s great to be a member of the D&T community, helping improve my practice beyond the intervention itself and more widely in my roles supporting wellbeing across our Special Needs setting.

Not for the first time I found myself driving home with an unprocessed moment which left me feeling triggered from earli...
12/01/2026

Not for the first time I found myself driving home with an unprocessed moment which left me feeling triggered from earlier in the day.

Many of us mask from others and even ourselves at times as a safety response to manage big emotions and my point of release often comes when I move towards home.

The source on this occasion was a casual comment from someone within my hearing hours earlier along the lines of no matter your age, you always need your mum. They have no knowledge of my past or lived experience, nor would it be their or anyone’s responsibility to pre-plan everything they say in my presence for fear of “making me feel sad” because my mum died when I was a teenager.

So much of what I have learned through Protective Behaviours is helpful to me in those moments and the processing afterwards, as I reflect that it’s OK to feel frustrated that an event from decades ago can still feel very painful years later, but also recognising that in using the 7 strategies I can take ownership for my feelings of grief and reach out to key people on my personal network to explain how I have been left feeling.

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