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Grief awareness week reminds us that grief is far broader than the loss of life.
Grief can appear whenever something meaningful changes or ends; the loss of relationships, safety, identity, health, stability, or dreams we hoped for. Many people grieve the childhood they didn’t get, the opportunities they missed, or the versions of themselves they had to let go of in order to survive. These losses are real, even when they are invisible to others.

Grief is not linear, tidy, or predictable. It can show up as sadness, anger, numbness, exhaustion, or a need for distance. It can last days, months, or years. There is no “right” way to grieve.

This week, we highlight the importance of compassion; for ourselves and for those children and young people we support. When we recognise the many forms grief can take, we create safer spaces to share, heal, and feel understood.

Trauma isn’t always about what happens to us, it can also be about what doesn’t happen.

Trauma of commission involves harmful actions, like abuse, leaving lasting impacts.
Trauma of omission refers to the neglect and absence of needed support, love, or protection, which can be equally damaging.

Both types shape how a child can experience the world. By recognizing the many forms trauma takes, we can offer more compassionate, informed support 🌱

Our 11 Day diploma is a practical skills based course supported by over 1000 evidence based research studies. It was designed to inform and empower school and community staff to respond effectively to vulnerable children and young people.

Mae ein diploma 11 Diwrnod yn gwrs ymarferol seiliedig ar sgiliau a ategir gan dros 1000 o astudiaethau ymchwil yn seiliedig ar dystiolaeth. Fe'i cynlluniwyd i hysbysu a grymuso staff ysgol a chymuned i ymateb yn effeithiol i blant a phobl ifanc sy'n agored i niwed.

📆 Begins on 26th January 2026
📌 Ynys Park, Port Talbot (Trefelin Football Club)
⏰ 9.00-3.30pm

Cymerwch olwg ar y dyddiadau a chysylltwch os hoffech ymuno â'r nifer cynyddol o Ymarferwyr TIS sydd gennym yng Nghymru hyd yn hyn!

Take a look at the dates and get in touch if you would like to join the growing number of TIS Practitioners we have in Wales so far!

Finding the right words for our emotions can feel overwhelming; especially for children and young people. That’s where metaphors can help open doors and provide a safety around feelings.

Instead of asking directly “How are you feeling?”, try: “If you were a mode of transport today, what would you be?”

Metaphors create a safe distance for the young person to share in ways that feel playful, creative, and less overwhelming. Behind each metaphor is a story that longs to be heard.

CYP: “I’d be a unicycle, going up a hill”
Practitioner: “I imagine riding a unicycle up hill must take so much effort, I wonder how exhausting that must feel”

Which check-ins have you tried? Let us know in the comments!

“Er mwyn i unrhyw un ohonom ddarparu amgylchedd diogel, sefydlog a meithringar hwnnw i’r plant yr ydym yn eu gwasanaethu, mae’n rhaid i ni ymarfer hunanofal fel y gallwn fod ar gael iddyn nhw. Plis gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod chi'n gwisgo'ch mwgwd ocsigen eich hun ac yn ymarfer gofal go iawn i chi'ch hun fel y gallwch chi fod yno." @drburkeharris

Pan fyddwn ni’n teimlo bod pwysau’n cynyddu o amgylch y gwyliau, y tebygrwydd yw bod ein plant neu bobl ifanc rydyn ni’n eu cefnogi yn teimlo’r pwysau hynny hefyd. Mae’n bwysicach nag erioed ar hyn o bryd, i ymarfer hunanofal, fel y dywed Nadine, er mwyn sicrhau y gallwn barhau i fod ar gael [yn emosiynol].

“In order for any of us to provide that safe, stable, and nurturing environment for the children that we serve, we have to practice self-care so that we can be available.
Please make sure to put your own oxygen mask on and practice real care for yourself so that you can be there.” @drburkeharris

When we feel pressures mount around the holidays, the likelihood is that our children or young people we support are feeling those pressures too. It’s more important than ever at this point, to practice self-care, as Nadine says, to ensure we can remain [emotionally] available adults.

How do you look after yourself?

Leading a school or organisation is no small task; balancing the needs of staff, students, and the wider community can feel overwhelming. But what if leadership wasn’t just about managing, but about truly seeing, valuing, and supporting those around us?

Tiny Training: Feel it to Lead it, explores how trust, connection, and emotional safety can transform the way we lead. When staff feel heard, understood, and supported, they’re better equipped to meet the needs of children and young people without burning out.

Learn how to:
💡 Build a culture of trust and psychological safety
💡 Lead in a way that reduces stress & nurtures well-being
💡 Support staff so they can better support pupils

Training Details:
📅 Date: Monday 24th November
⏰ Time: 9.30am - 11.30am
💰 Price: £75 per person
🖥 Format: Online via Zoom

No previous training required - This training is ideal for school leaders who are keen to implement trauma informed approaches in their setting but may be encountering resistance or finding it hard to get consistency of approach.

Ready to lead with empathy? Book via link in the bio 🔗