Sibling Group Leader Conference 07
A snapshot of our conference held in London on 12th May
Our group leader conferences are aimed at practitioners who are currently running or planning to run a sibling group. They are always on a Saturday so that siblings do not have to miss school to take part.
Participants get to see at first hand how groups are facilitated, learn new activities to use in groups, and have the opportunity to hear what the children and young people have to say about sibling support. Group leaders invariably go away at the end of the conference with renewed passion for their work.
The day began with a presentation from Prithvi Perepa, Development Officer, Black & Minority Ethnic Project, NAS, on issues for siblings from minority ethnic communities.
The group demonstrations held in the morning were:
Demonstration sibling group with activities for 8-13 year olds
by First Step Sib Club, Essex
Demonstration of a first session at a sibling group (11-13 year olds)
by Kids Southwark Sibling Project
Producing a magazine for siblings
by Basil group, Acorns Hospice
This is what our participants said:
Particularly liked ‘the session with the 8-13 year olds from Havering, so good to hear from the ‘horse’s mouth’
Cressida Evans, Islington Young Carers’
‘The participating siblings – they were fantastic and made it more real’
Sandra Disteli, Psychologist
‘Seeing and meeting sibs who have experienced long term sibs groups makes a very good case for keeping things going’
Christine Woolley, SCARF
'It’s given me more confidence on how to run the first session of our sibling group'
Daphne Bish, Coping with Chaos
‘Special congratulations must go to the inclusion of the sibs who enabled a fantastic insight into working with this group of children’
Kim Liddle, Castle Children’s Centre, Wakefield
Particularly liked ‘seeing how much the children enjoyed the day and seemed to be getting out of the groups’
Sam Bursnall, Tavistock clinic
The afternoon workshops were:
Evaluating sibling groups, by Nicola Dean, Development Officer for Sibling Groups, Sibs
Group activities for discussing feelings, by Chris Turk, Development Officer for Sibling Groups, Sibs
Siblings of children with acquired brain injury – Summary of PhD research findings and discussion of applications to group work, by Dr Samantha Bursnall PhD
'Brilliant day, good facilities, well organized, all staff very helpful – shame we couldn’t do all of the workshops!'
Lucie Grange, Thames Valley Adventure Playground
'Great, inspiring and useful day'
Johan Elliott, Lancashire Care NHS Trust
The siblings' experience
'The young people were made to feel really welcome and the way the adults addressed them and thanked them was brilliant. Involving the young people was wonderful. The young people who came with us benefited from this opportunity to see themselves as part of something much wider’
Kerry Bailey and Louisa Righelato, Southwark Sibling Group
During the afternoon, the siblings had a fantastic drumming session with Nzinga Dance Company. At the end of the day, the siblings did a rousing 10 minute non-stop drumming performance for all the participants. It was quite incredible. An uplifting and fun end to the conference for all.
The drumming performance
If you would like your sibling group to participate in a future Sibs conference do let us know.
