From Roots to Leaves - Tree of Life- Camp experience

This paper discusses the process and outcomes of Tree of Life – Dulwich Centre application at STARTTS youth camp for young women who have experienced dislocation, prolonged exposure to war and associated trauma. It is... [ view full abstract ]

This paper discusses the process and outcomes of Tree of Life – Dulwich Centre application at STARTTS youth camp for young women who have experienced dislocation, prolonged exposure to war and associated trauma.
It is believed that attending camps supports young women to develop supportive relationships with fellow participants and staff, through engage in challenging activities, making decisions and participating in new activities. The camp ran for four days with 25 young women aged between 14-18 years old, and was led by a multidisciplinary team and applied a Biopsychosocial approach to recovery in line with STARTTS model of best practice.
The Tree of Life session included the various stages of Tree of Life model. Four themes were generated: first, a sense of community, young women and staff relationships developed both at the camp and outside of the camp, through sharing personal stories and experiences. Second, participants reconnected with important aspects of their lives, rediscovering identity which helped them to plan their recovery and settlement. Third, use of tree as a creative metaphor, how young women control their lives. Fourth, the presence of outsider witness, young women listened to the stories and then talked about their own feelings and also expressed how that version touched them and resonated with their own life story. From this secure base, young women fostered group cohesion, worked with differences, enhanced social wellbeing and instilled hope for the future.