“We are not taught to value play and all of the training is about being efficient, meeting objectives and all of that sort of stuff. There’s no room for any kind of flexibility or fun or not knowing....that leads to real disconnection between worker and client” (youth care worker)

In the current global context, there is increasing expectation that those working with children and young people, need to have solutions on how to ‘fix the other’. Consequently, this can restrict the care worker’s capacity to respond to uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. The arts, through active and playful engagement can encourage new ways of connecting with young people. In addition active engagement in arts methods, encourages an internal playful attitude, enabling the care worker to be open to possibilities, opportunities and new insights.

Arts-focused active methods in this workshop refer directly to three research intervention methods (image making, small object work and body sculptures) that were used in doctoral research to gather data specifically relevant to care workers relationships with young people. They are informed by drama therapy theory and practice, and can be used as tools to enhance the capacity to think and feel in the ‘here and now’, enhancing reflective capacities and empathy. They further enable understanding of how arts practice can support processes of psychosocial change.

This experiential workshop will facilitate participants to engage playfully in a variety of active arts methods such as image making, small object work and body sculptures as ways to connect with those they work with. Participants will reflect on their value and how they might be used across communities of practice in different ways. Where relevant participants’ experiences will be linked to relevant findings from the doctoral research.

Workshop outline:
Intro and warm up to each other, space, feelings and theme
Focus: thinking about who we work with
Main: Image making, body sculpts and object work (participants choose one)
Reflection
Closure