Weaving together two continents: Sewing resilience into the fabric of children's lives

James Garbarino believes that ‘the reality of the sacred self is the foundation for understanding human development’, yet ‘far too few social scientists take this into account in their professional work,’ (Garbarino... [ view full abstract ]

James Garbarino believes that ‘the reality of the sacred self is the foundation for understanding human development’, yet ‘far too few social scientists take this into account in their professional work,’ (Garbarino 1999:33).

Spirituality is recognised as an element of resilience in the lives of children and young people who have experienced hardship. In this workshop spirituality and resilience based practice will be explored through the medium of Angel Blankets.

This workshop will outline the theoretical underpinnings of Angel Blanket work. It will discuss the therapeutic process of making blankets in groups, and on an individual basis. The outcomes from Angel Blanket of over twelve years work has shown some of the following results: changes in children’s behaviour change in carer’s perceptions of trauma, increased attachments between carer and children, successful processing of traumatic events, increased self awareness.

Moreover this workshop will explore these results spanning two continents Australia and South America were angel blankets have been made with children and young people.Each presenter will talk about their work in Australia and Bolivia and collapse the physical distance between them to share the challenges and successes of making Angel Blanket.

It will bring the audience into the lives of children and young people on other sides of the globe who have made blankets and hear what is was like to be wrapped in a blanket upon which is sewn symbols of everything they need to protect, guide and sustain them as they grow.