We are thrilled to announce our three latest Centres of Excellence – two schools and one college. This prestigious award is presented to schools, charities and organisations where at least four members of staff are trained in the Story Massage Programme and they have been using it for over a year. Our Centres of Excellence show remarkable commitment and enthusiasm for delivering the benefits of the programme with care and respect for every individual.
Congratulations to our latest Best Practice Award winners. These inspirational people have shown real commitment, creativity and passion in sharing the benefits of the Story Massage Programme with people of all ages and abilities. Here is a brief look at the amazing work that they do to make a real difference to the lives of babies, children and adults.
There was a wonderful sense of community and mutual respect at our first Story Massage Conference on May 11th 2019. We all agreed that it was the perfect opportunity to meet others, learn new skills, reflect on Story Massage practice and feel totally inspired and re-energised. Indeed, one of the first questions to our expert panel was “When is the next Story Massage Conference?”
The guest speakers and workshop presenters were so generous in sharing their knowledge, skills and experience – and travelled a long way – to make the conference such a resounding success. Click on their names below to find out more about their amazing work.
It would be impossible to distill the depth and breadth of the information and ideas into a short blog – so here are some of the key messages from the day.
Lorraine asked the important question: “How often do you have a Story Massage?” Surely we need to gain the benefits for ourselves too? Lorraine highlighted the importance of self-care and talked us through some beautiful mindful meditations based on self-compassion. She simplified the idea of meditation, making us realise that simply engaging with the out-breath can help us feel more calm and relaxed.
The theme of self-care was echoed by other speakers. We were reminded that when working in a challenging and stressful environment, it is essential to look after ourselves and stay centred and grounded. When we allow time to process and reflect, we can manage difficult emotions in a calmer and more helpful way for everyone concerned.
Both Lorraine and Vicky discussed the harmful effects of the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism on mind and body. Vicky looked at research (Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study, Felliti et al, 1998) revealing that many of the children/adults that we work with will have experienced adversity and trauma. Vicky shared a ‘Pyramid of Learning’ diagram that shows the importance of calming the central nervous system before any learning can take place. With some emotional examples of children she has worked with, Vicky showed how when used with sensitivity to individual needs and experiences, Story Massage can make a real difference.
During the afternoon workshop, Hazel and Vicky looked at individual case studies of children with Adverse Childhood Experiences and continued the discussion of establishing safe touch. We looked at choice of story relevant to the individual child, use of body language, eye contact, choice of words and tone of voice. Above all, the message was to look after yourself and stay safe – remembering that your role as a Story Massage Practitioner is supportive within a whole team approach.
We were encouraged to release our inner child and enjoy being playful in Caroline and Lorraine’s afternoon workshops. Caroline filled the room with colour as she invited everyone to decorate umbrellas and use streamers, bubbles, pompoms, and much more, to add sensory activities to massage stories. There was a great sense of fun as we worked together to transform inexpensive, everyday items into spectacular sensory props to accompany Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside and Somewhere over the rainbow.
Lorraine also gently invited us to step out of our comfort zone and access the creative, spontaneous sides of our brains. Using mindful meditation and visualisation, she used colour to show ways of sharing massage stories without a script. After taking part in Lorraine’s simple Rainbow Massage Story we all felt inspired to work with intuition – and more comfortable with using mindfulness to encourage children to create their own stories too.
Self-care, safe touch and creativity were also themes of Tracey’s workshop – but a key message was to be flexible especially when working with babies and toddlers. Although Tracey prepares and structures her classes, she allows the babies to take the lead so each class is completely different. This flexibility ensures that everyone gains the maximum benefits from sharing positive touch – and even Tracey was surprised by the long list of benefits that she shared with us! Tracey’s obvious enthusiasm and passion generated lots of questions about using Story Massage as a follow-on from baby massage – and turned an idea into a reality for many attending.
This quote below from Martin Luther King summed up the sense of commitment and compassion that ran through every aspect of the conference. The Story Massage Programme offers us all a glorious opportunity to bring love to our society – so please share it as widely and as often as you can.
Watch this space – we are already planning 2020!
The Story Massage Programme is recommended as an interactive, engaging and useful in-house training day. Would you like to know more? We take a look at a recent in-house training day at Woodlands Special School in Plymouth to give you an idea of what to expect.
How do you run a successful Story Massage Workshop for parents/carers within a school setting? Here are some tips from Justine Horn, Depute Head, and Jennifer Monteith, nurture teacher, at Thorntree School in Glasgow. They say their recent event was a very relaxed afternoon with lots of bonding, positive touch and smiley faces!
Erin, aged 6, is our guest blogger today. Erin tells us how she wrote her own massage poem as part of a school homework project. She was first introduced to the Story Massage Programme on a Children’s Yoga Workshop run by a trained Story Massage Instructor. These are Erin’s own words.
The Early Focus Project in Dublin has shared the Story Massage Programme as part of the Emotional and Well-Being Curriculum for the past three years. We talk to Melissa Hogan, Project Co-ordinator and Una Curran, mindfulness and well-being coach, about their award-winning work in helping children feel safe, secure, comforted and regarded.
We are looking forward to a wonderful day sharing the Story Massage Programme in Guiliana Wheater’s magical chalet in Porlock Hill, Somerset on 27th July 2019. This FHT accredited CPD day course is open to everyone interested in sharing positive touch activities with children and adults of all ages and abilities. Continue reading
