Hand of support

Purpose
Siblings identify people in their lives who make up their support network. The activity works well in a session on developing coping strategies for siblings.

This is both a discussion and art activity.

You will need

• Large piece of paper or white board

• Coloured paper – A4 size

• Paints/ pens/ stickers & other decorating materials.

• A laminator and pouches (not essential)

How to do it

As a group discuss with siblings the idea of a support network – the people who will be there to help us when times get tough.

Mention the people who can often help siblings: mum, dad, family members, social workers, teachers, nurses, sibling workers – ask the siblings to shout out their ideas and write them on the board or large piece of paper as a reference.

Then discuss how sometimes when we are going through a tough time the first person who we think to talk to may not be there e.g. mum may be with brother at hospital, dad may be at work. That is where the hand of support comes in as a reminder of the other people who can be there to help.

Siblings draw around their hand onto the coloured paper and then cut out the hand shape. One side they decorate with a pattern or materials to make a pleasing picture that they would want to look at again. On the other side they write down the name of the specific people who support them – one person on each finger. (laminate if possible to protect the hand).

The hand is then ready to be taken home and hung on the wall with the pattern showing to the world. When the sibling is concerned and needs to talk to someone they can then turn it over and look at the people who could help them.