Children’s Corner: The Impact of Play Therapy

Play is the medium through which children communicate best. What children do in free play may symbolise unconscious wishes or fears that they are not aware of. Children may play out unconscious feelings, bringing them into the open. By becoming aware of their feelings and expressing them, they may learn to understand and eventually deal with them.

At The Haven Wolverhampton, the relationship between children and children’s workers is very important, as it can facilitate the children’s spontaneous play and expression. It can also give the children the opportunity to project the feelings which they may have for their parents onto another adult, therefore expressing them safely. Praise and encouragement is given constantly to the children who respond positively. This approach is passed on to the mother so that she can get the best out of her children.

Children on a trip to the Aquarium as part of
the Summer Play Programme 2007

The play that we provide sometimes uncovers past history and the causes of children’s present difficulties. Sometimes, by reliving and facing past feelings and conflicts (through imaginative and role play), children find it easier to resolve their problems, leading to healthy development.

Activities for the children are chosen to meet their individual needs and are appropriate for the age and development of the child.

It is important that the activities are enjoyable, help to improve the child’s confidence and self esteem and so that they can develop coping strategies, allowing the child to explore his/her feelings in order to resolve issues which have arisen as a result of past traumas.

Jan Howell
Children’s Worker

Every Child Matters: Change for Children

Every Child Matters: Change for Children is a new approach being taken by all organisations involved in providing services for children and young people. The UK Government's aim is for every child and young person (from birth to 19) - whatever their background or their circumstances - to have the support they need to:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make a positive contribution
  
• Achieve economic well-being

The Haven Wolverhampton fully endorses this framework within the Children’s Service, and all our projects are run in accordance with it; we aim not only to meet, but to exceed the desired outcomes.

Emma Burns
Children’s Worker (Therapeutic Resources)

Six Months at Shirlin

We have had a busy six months here at new hostel Shirlin, with visits by the Bishop of Wolverhampton, Councillor Peter Bilson and our own Chief Executive, Kath Rees.

The staff team have been organizing activities with the service users, including cookery sessions, pampering evenings, DVD nights and even an indoor barbeque! Everyone really enjoyed participating, and it helped to create a lovely homely atmosphere.

The Inner Wheel very kindly donated a brand new keyboard – which now has pride of place in our children’s room – and they even treated us to a sing-along before departing!

Since May, the children’s garden area has been undergoing extensive work, thanks to the efforts of Ed Isaacs from Partners in Change, The Rotary Club of Wolverhampton St Georges (David Cross, Mike Ager, John Forshaw, David Richards, Bob Pace, Mike Bates, Steve Evans, Bob Cole, Nick Wynn-Williams and Chris Ager), and various members of staff from NatWest Wolverhampton office. The NatWest volunteers have very kindly given up their free time to assist us in this project. All of these people have worked extremely hard and deserve our heartfelt thanks! We would also like to thank the following companies: Carvers, Carillon and Rampton Builders’ Merchants, who made donations towards the garden.

The official handover took place on the 26th October, and we were very pleased to receive a cheque at this event for £1,000 from NatWest.

Thank you so much to everyone involved in this piece of work!

Tracey Richards
Acting Hostel Coordinator, Shirlin House

The Haven

The haven can be such a nice place
It’s not like outer space

People here can under stand you
You’re never left feeling blue

You can play on the swings
You can see the bird’s wings

There is a homework room
But you have to clean it up with a broom

I hope you have enjoyed what you have read
But now it is time for me to go to bed!!

By T.Z. (Aged 12)