Conference Programme

0955 – 1000 WELCOME & INTRODUCTION FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR
Martin Crewe, Director Barnardo’s Scotland

1000 – 1110 TRAUMA IS CONTAGIOUS…. SO IS LOVE!

Zombies are now so mainstream that during an interview, George Romero,

the godfather of horror flicks, said: “I expect a zombie to show up on Sesame

Street soon, teaching kids to count“. It may be a while before the undead teach

our children their ABCs and 123s, but these creatures can educate us on what

it means to be Human. During this talk, we will explore how these fictional

characters can help us better understand the inner world of traumatised children.

The talk will be illustrated with film clips of young people who, against all

odds, never lost their ability to hope, to love and to be seen… to be vulnerably

seen. Through them and their stories, we will explore how Love can reawaken

attachment needs and warm wounded hearts back to life.

David Taransaud, UKCP registered psychotherapeutic counsellor, consultant,

author, documentary maker and trainer.

1110 – 1140 REFRESHMENT BREAK

1140 – 1250 SELF-HARM AND HIDDEN DESPAIR: WORKING EMPATHICALLY WITH CYP

WHO CUT THEMSELVES (Part 1)

Hurt people don’t just hurt people, they’re also very good at hurting themselves.

Self-harm is a subject that makes many, if not most, feel uncomfortable. It typically elicits negative responses that range from shock and horror to disappointment, disgust, fear, and anger. Yet, like most human behaviour, self-harm has meaning, it only seems senseless or meaningless to the extent we are unable - or unwilling - to comprehend it (Diamond, 1996). During this talk, we will discover that self-harm is an attempt at surviving, it is an expression of hope, not of despair. It is the “most graphic cry for help… a bright red scream” (Strong, 1998)

David will cover a range of themes including:

- Understanding the origins of self-destructive thoughts and behaviours

- How to break the ‘Self Harm Cycle’

- The importance of human touch (physical holding)

- The healing power of empathy (emotional holding)

- How to communicate with self-harmers and help them explore their experiences as they take place in us rather than in themselves.

David Taransaud (As Before)

1250 – 1350 LUNCH

1350 – 1355 WELCOME BACK FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR
Martin Crewe (As Before)

1355 – 1430 SELF-HARM AND HIDDEN DESPAIR (Part two)

David Taransaud (As Before)

1430 –1445 REFRESHMENTS

1445 – 1500

TAKE A DEEP BREATH & RELAX

Breathing exercises are one of the most effective calming strategies for CYP

who are dealing with difficult emotions. You will be guided through some

fun exercises.

15.00 – 1530 “CONNECTING WITH COURAGE”

Danny will give a lived experience account of suicide ideation, as well as the

struggles of losing friends and family to suicide. Through his presentation he

will explore some of the contributing factors that may lead people to think about

suicide, as well as practical steps that we can take as a community to connect

with courage, build trust and offer love in our relationships.

Danny Gemmell, Director, Be-Inn Unity

1530 – 1545 QUESTIONS & CONFERENCE CLOSING REMARKS