Unleash Your Imagination

STDAVIDS

OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

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LETTERFROM THECEO

"Fuelling Creativity, Building Community, Stronger Together"

Dear St David's Family,

Welcome to the fourth issue of our St David's Newsletter, entitled "Unleash Your Imagination, Embrace the Power of Creativity" We are thrilled to continue showcasing the extraordinary talents within our community and celebrating the spirit of creativity that unites us.

In this edition, we aim to shine a spotlight on the artists, creators, and innovators among us, recognising their unique contributions to the arts. From the imaginative world-building of Daf James, with Lost Boys and Fairies to the conservation architecture of Alistair Nicoll, we delve into the diverse tapestry of talent that enriches our St David's family

Our "Meet A Panel Member" feature continues to be a platform for showcasing remarkable individuals. This issue, it's dramatherapist and adoption panel member Bryn Morgan. Additionally, I am proud to highlight our presence at Pride Cymru 2024 and our fabulous annual summer celebration, both of which were resounding successes, uniting our community in a vibrant display of diversity and inclusivity.

This issue also serves as a launchpad for our National Adoption Week campaign. As we embark on this important initiative, we look forward to your support in raising awareness and advocating for this noble cause

I am delighted our partnership with Everyman Cinemas, who provided over 150 tickets as gifts to our St David's family this summer, has gone so well. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering community engagement and creating memorable experiences for all.

Thank you for your unwavering support and creativity. Together, we are shaping a community that celebrates diversity, innovation, and the power of imagination

Warm regards,

Jason Baker

JASON BAKER, CEO

MEETAPANELMEMBER: BRYN

Meet dramatherapist and adoption panel member Bryn Morgan.

In this feature, we delve into the world of dramatherapy with Bryn, a dedicated dramatherapist and a valued member of our adoption panel. Bryn brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and artistic flair to his practice, using theatre, story-making, music, movement, and art to support emotional and psychological healing. His extensive experience working with children from looked-after backgrounds and his research on masculinity and vulnerability provide invaluable insights into the therapeutic processes that benefit adoptive and fostering families

Bryn, can you start by explaining what a dramatherapist is?

A dramatherapist is a storyteller, embodying various characters such as a knight coming to the rescue, a wolf prowling through the woods, or a lost child. Dramatherapy, a protected form of psychotherapy, integrates the clinician's and artist's roles. Dramatherapists use theatre, story-making, music, movement, and art as mediums for psychological therapy.

There are some misconceptions about dramatherapy. How would you address those?

Contrary to common misconceptions like "standing as trees" or "making people sing," dramatherapy engages the body through story, music, and dance, creating a space that allows not just talking about feelings but expressing them.

How do you integrate dramatherapy techniques when working with children from looked-after backgrounds?

Dramatherapy provides an escape into different worlds, enabling participants to take on various roles and emotions This "dramatic distance" allows children to process their emotions and explore their histories in a safe environment. I often step into the therapeutic space in character, providing a safe outlet for participants to project their feelings.

The de-roling process, where participants reflect on the similarities between their role-play and reallife feelings, is particularly powerful. Dramatherapy also uses movement, drawing, and music, which enables me to engage children in imaginative scenarios, from being an angry parent to attending a tea party in a zoo.

Can you share a specific example where your dramatherapy sessions have positively impacted children who have experienced developmental trauma?

One poignant example is working with a sibling group during their adoption process. Over two years, I engaged with the adoptive parents and children, exploring trauma timelines and providing therapeutic understanding. One significant moment involved helping an adoptive mother manage and understand her daughter's projection of "bad women " through fairy tales and role-playing, fostering a sense of safety and trust.

The bond between the adoptive father and son was also strengthened through shared experiences in play and sport, teaching them the power of being alongside each other in their journey

Your research on masculinity and supporting men in expressing vulnerability is quite fascinating. Can you tell us more about that?

My research project focused on supporting boys in the care system to express vulnerability safely, challenging the stigma that sadness should be hidden by anger. The study highlighted positive ways for young people to express their feelings in a safe therapeutic space

Building on this, I am now exploring ways to engage men in bereavement services, noting that men are less likely to seek such support. This includes initiatives like walking groups, outdoor therapy, and using sporting activities to create supportive environments for men.

What unique perspectives do you bring to the St. David's Adoption Panel from your experience as a dramatherapist?

I bring a wealth of experience from working with families through various stages of the adoption process This allows me to identify areas where therapeutic intervention may be needed and to support families when behaviours change or disclosures are made

My awareness of the skills and experiences that benefit adoptive and fostering families is invaluable. When evaluating applicants, I look for mentions of creative therapies or therapeutic parenting, knowing these approaches can significantly aid in the post-placement adjustment process.

OURCREATIVE ADOPTERS

Daf James

Contemporary Welsh playwright, composer, and performer renowned for his dynamic contributions to modern theatre His innovative storytelling blends traditional and avant-gard elements, creating immersive and thought-provoking experiences including his award-winning drag creation Sue Timms. Daf is also a skilled novelist and screenwriter. His children’s novel Jac a’r Angel recently won the Tir na n-Og prize and its category in the Wales Book of the Year Award, and his latest TV hit, Lost Boys and Fairies, has garnered cri acclaim and further solidified his reputation in the performing arts.

Alun Saunders

Alun is a celebrated Welsh playwright and actor known for his poignant explorations of family dynamics and identity in contemporary theatre His play A Good Clean Heart garnered acclaim for its bilingual storytelling, deftly portraying Welsh cultural nuances. His work blends humor with profound insights into human relationships and societal issues, earning him numerous accolades. Alun is also well known for his larger-than-life drag persona, Connie Orff.

Philippa Skinner

As a carpenter, Philippa enhances people's home life by installing new doors, building cupboards and wardrobes for storage, and creating garden decking for outdoor spaces. S finds it very rewarding to work with customers to create something perfect for them. Philippa has been self-employ for 17 years. In 2008, when Philippa and her wife adopted a three-year-old girl, she realised the need for a hobby to balance family life Joining Cardiff Morris was the perfect solution, providing weekly exercise, new friends, and a chan to express herself through dance

Alistair Nicoll

Alistair is a Senior Architect and Conservation Lead at Gaunt Francis Architects, a creative commercial design studio with projects across the UK. He grew up in Oxfordshire, and undertook an art and design foundation course in South Devon before completing his architectural education at the Welsh School of Architecture He is inspired by the historic built environment, conservation, and the adaptive re-use, retrofit and extension of existing buildings Whatever their scale, these projects offer unique design challenges both spacial and technical, whilst also providing an opportunity to contribute to a broader sustainability agenda.

Damian Kerlin

Damian Kerlin is a versatile journalist, broadcaster, and conten creator known for his insightful contributions across various platforms. His writing spans from his personal blog to major publications such as Attitude, The Telegraph, and The Independent, focusing particularly on LGBTQ+ culture and current affairs Recently, Damian gained acclaim as one of Acast's Amplifiers for his podcast series, 'Memories From The Dancefloor'

Bruce McInnes

Bruce, an Art Teacher, brings a unique perspective to education, advocating for diversity and inclusion. In art classes, Bruce integrates diverse themes and artists, fostering an appreciation for students' backgrounds. Beyond the curriculum, he enriches school life by curating a library that reflects and celebrates identities, from Black History Month to LGBTQ+ literature during Pride. Bruce's work extends to promoting equality across Wales' educational landscape, aiming to create a curriculum that embraces the school community's diversity and nurtures empathy

THESILVER SCREEN

We are thrilled to share some wonderful feedback and stories from families like yours who have had the pleasure of experiencing the magic of Everyman Cinemas on the big screen.

Since the initiative began, we ' ve been overwhelmed with positive responses Families have relished the opportunity to come together in the welcoming atmosphere of Everyman Cinemas, enjoying their favorite movies in a safe and comfortable setting

From animated adventures that brought laughter and joy to thrilling action films that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, each cinematic experience has been a special memory for our community.

The hundreds of tickets generously provided by Everyman Cinemas have allowed St. David's Families to create lasting moments together, fostering bonds and creating shared memories that will be cherished for years to come. This partnership truly reflects Everyman Cinemas' dedication to supporting local communities and bringing joy through the magic of cinema

If you haven't yet claimed your tickets or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Shaun at shaun.houcke@stdavidscs.org. We want to ensure that every family has the opportunity to participate in this memorable experience.

Thank you once again to Everyman Cinemas for making this summer unforgettable for St. David's Families.

PRIDECYMRU 2024

On Saturday 22nd of June, we celebrated Pride Cymru! The event was a vibrant display of love, unity, and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Our participation in the parade was a testament to our commitment to inclusivity and equality.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who came out to support and celebrate with us The day was truly special, filled with heartfelt moments as we marched together in solidarity with LGBTQ+ families and allies. The atmosphere was electric, with everyone donning rainbow colours and waving flags to show their pride.

In preparation for this unforgettable day, we invited St. David's families to join us for a pre-Pride breakfast, sponsored by Gaunt Francis Architects and hosted at their central office cafe on Womanby St. Attendees enjoyed a selection of breakfast rolls, hot drinks, and juice. We also offered free rainbow face painting and a glitter station for both kids and those young at heart.

After breakfast, participants had the choice to march with our group in the parade or celebrate the festivities in their own unique way Pride Cymru is a celebration like no other, where we come together to embrace diversity and unity.

We are already looking forward to next year’s Pride celebration. Until then, let’s continue to support and uplift each other, striving for a world where everyone can live with pride and authenticity.

NATIONAL ADOPTIONWEEK

National Adoption Week is a time to celebrate and support the incredible work done by adoption services across the country. This National Adoption Week, from 21st - 27th October, there are lots of ways you could get involved to support St David’s and raise awareness of the importance of adoption in Wales

Social Media

One of the simplest, yet most effective methods, is to use your social media platforms to share your adoption story. By talking about your experience of adoption you can help to educate others, dispel myths and highlight the amazing and positive impacts of adoption. You could like or share posts from St David’s or create your own personal content to help spark interest and conversations.

Use the below handles to tag us in your content and we will be sure to share it Facebook: @StDavidsAdoptionService / Instagram: @stdavidsadoptionservice

Local Events

If you know of any groups or events happening locally where St David’s could be promoted let us know, maybe we could have a stall, or a member of staff could give a short talk. This could be anything from community events to workplace gatherings (and it doesn’t have to just be during National Adoption Week). Chances to have personal interactions like these can make a big impact and provide a perfect chance to answer questions and offer information in a really informal setting.

Community Promotion

Another effective way to get involved could be to put up posters or flyers in your local area or workplace. Community boards, local shops and libraries are just a few possible places. Additionally, if your workplace has an intranet we would love to write an article that could be posted on there.

Fundraise

National Adoption Week could be a great chance to hold a small fundraising event on behalf of St David’s. Maybe you could organise a bake sale at you children’s school or workplace, maybe you’re in a band or choir and could hold a show and donate a percentage of ticket sales to St David’s or maybe you could take on an individual challenge Fundraising is not only a fantastic way of supporting St David’s work but also raises awareness about adoption and its life-changing effects on children and families If you’d like to know more about the above or have an idea of your own we would love to hear from you You can email fundraisingsupport@stdavidscsorg or contact a member of staff and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Why do we fundraise?

At St David’s, fundraising is an important activity all year around that helps us provide support to all of our adoptive families. As you may remember from your preparation training, we know that 2 in 3 adoption placements may struggle at some point, and 1 in 3 may need higher level support. Fundraising helps us to make sure that we are there for our families whenever and however they need us.

We know how important it is to make sure we offer a range of support to meet the varied needs of our families, from simple opportunities to connect, to more therapeutic support. Our post adoption support ranges from our Christmas and Summer celebrations, to support groups, direct social worker information, advocacy and advice, to counselling, to one-to-one support with a clinical psychologist As a charity we do not receive direct funding to help us provide Post Adoption Support and so we actively seek funding from various places, including Welsh Government, trust funds and also through community fundraising activities The combination of this funding helps to make sure that we can continue to provide a service which we know is hugely important to families and children.

How can you help

We are always grateful for the ongoing additional support you offer St David’s; your efforts are greatly appreciated by us all and really do help to make a difference. To continue in our commitment to our families, we not only need your generosity but also your willingness to share our fundraising efforts. Sharing our "Just Giving" page is a simple yet powerful way to support St David's. By spreading the word within your networks, you can help us reach more people who might be willing to contribute. With your help, we can continue to provide essential support to all our adoptive families. Thank you as always for you unwavering kindness in supporting St David’s. Together, we can continue our mission of supporting, celebrating and bringing families together.

Visit our "Just Giving" page here to donate and share today!

OURFOSTER SERVICE

If you ' re considering becoming a foster parent in Wales, or know someone who is, St David's Fostering Service is your first point of contact We specialise in recruiting, assessing, and supporting foster parents to ensure they can provide the best care possible for children and young people, helping them thrive in a nurturing environment.

Our foster parents are committed to achieving positive outcomes for young people. Through collaboration with supervising social workers and the local authority, we aim to enhance well-being and create lasting changes in each child's life. Foster parents play a crucial role in supporting positive relationships by facilitating contact with important individuals such as birth parents, grandparents, and siblings

We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support to our foster parents, along with generous financial allowances, to help create a stable and loving home environment for children in need of foster care in Wales.

For more information, please visit our website [HERE].

SOUNDSOFTHE SUMMER

We're excited to unveil a new addition to our quality newsletter. Starting now, each issue will feature a specially curated Spotify playlist that aligns with the issue's theme.

This issue’s playlist, aptly named "The Ultimate Car Playlist" by St David's, captures the essence of summer with a vibrant blend of classic tunes and contemporary hits. Carefully selected to complement every mile of your road trip, imagine cruising beneath a clear blue sky with the kids in the back, their chatter blending harmoniously with a soundtrack that seamlessly merges nostalgia and current favourites.

Whether you ' re navigating coastal routes or exploring the picturesque Welsh countryside, our playlist is crafted to be your perfect travel companion. It sets the stage for unforgettable family moments and spontaneous sing-alongs along the way.

So, fasten your seatbelts, lower the windows, and let "The Ultimate Car Playlist" by St David's take you on a musical journey that celebrates the magic of summertime adventures

Enjoy the ride!

Listen Here

HAVEYOUR SAY

St David's is committed to supporting adoptive families, and we are happy to share some feedback received from those who have accessed our Post Adoption Support services this year.

·77% rated the Post Adoption Support they had received as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’

·79% agreed that St David’s had provided the right support at the right time

79% agreed that the support they received had positively impacted on them their family.

It is great to see that many of our families had a positive experience of the individual and personal support we can offer. We believe that continued improvement is key to providing the best possible service, so we always welcome your feedback and comments. Whether it's praise or suggestions for improvement, we welcome your thoughts.

To make this process as simple as possible we’d like to invite you to participate in a simple 2 question survey HERE

We are very grateful for your willingness to share your experience and feedback with us. Your comments play an important role in helping us to develop and improve our service and to potentially secure future funding so that we can support more families. Thank you for your continued support and taking the time to contribute in this way to helping St David’s.

CONTACT

St David’s Adoption Service 28 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA

029 2066 7007 or info@stdavidscsorg

STAY IN THE LOOP

DONATE

As a registered Charity you may like to consider supporting the work of St David’s Your contribution will help ensure that every child with an adoption plan in Wales is placed with a loving family and supported to reach their full potential HERE

Registered Office: 28 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA

St David’s Children Society is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registration No: 509163) and a company limited by Guarantee (Registered Cardiff 1546688) St David’s Adoption Service is the brand name of the St David’s Children Society’s adoption service.

Mae Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant wedi ei chofrestru fel elusen gyda Chomisiwn Elusennau Cymru a Lloegr (Rhif Cofrestru: 509163) a chwmni cyfyngedig drwy Warant (Cofrestredig Caerdydd 1546688) Gwasanaeth Mabwysiadu Dewi Sant yw enw brand gwasanaeth mabwysiadu Cymdeithas Plant Dewi Sant