‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’
Helen Keller
We are a growing community of professionals who work with adolescents, either in the community, or within a healthcare or alternative provision setting. We meet monthly, online, for mini-training sessions, discussions and sharing of challenges and best practice.
What is it?
A Community of Practice is a group of people with shared interests or skills who come together to learn from each other and exchange ideas. It's all about connecting, sharing experiences, and finding solutions to common challenges.
Why Join One?
You will learn new skills, solve problems faster by tapping into others' expertise, and build supportive connections with other professionals. It's a great way to improve your skills and feel empowered in your role! Upcoming topics are suggested by group members, so join us to help shape future content!
Who Can Join?
Anyone who works with adolescents! Sign up below to receive an invite to our next session. Come and join us!
Cate Jordinson
Therapeutic Playwork - One method of how inclusion and playwork can fit together
Claire Koenig
From Research to Reality: Co-Creating Transition Guidelines with Young People
This month, Claire shares her research into healthcare transition from paediatric to adult services for young people with chronic physical conditions. We will consider young people's experiences, the effectiveness of various transition programmes and hear about Claire's current research project, where she is working with young people to co-create a set of healthcare transition guidelines. As always, there will be an active discussion, where you will be asked to share your experiences of transition for the young people in your service.
Dr. Sarah Campbell
Play Well For Life: Delivering Meaningful Tools for Adolescent Engagement
This month, Sarah talks about the history and origins of Play Well For Life and why she is passionate about developing game based tools to improve mental health. Hear about the company's vision to become a trusted provider of adolescent-specific resources, sourced from around the world to increase engagement, build relationships and protect mental health. In the discussion, you will have a chance to share your frustrations and consider what you would use a magic wand for with the adolescents in your service!
Irene O'Donnell
How the UCLH play and youth team are supporting neurodivergent YP to access their healthcare and improve their experiences.
Irene O’Donnell BA (Hons) PgCert, Reg HPS, is the Trust Lead for Therapeutic Play, Recreation and Youth Services at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) NHS Trust. She has been a registered health play specialist since 2000 and a leader in using play as a tool to avoid the use of general anaesthesia for BCYP during procedures. She piloted the novel “MRI awake project” and has led on the implementation of “It Pays to Play!” and has presented and written on the many fiscal and improvement benefits of play in healthcare.
Irene held the role of Senior Adviser to the Taskforce on Play in Healthcare for NHS England and Starlight. During this role she represented the profession in advancing standards, guidance and a workforce strategy to support the development, growth and professionalism of health play services. Irene also holds the position of chair of the workforce development group for health play.
Cat Woodsmith
Supporting adolescents with eating disorders
Led by Cat Woodsmith, currently Assistant Head of an SEMH school in Gloucestershire. She has spent the last 10 years teaching young people with eating disorders, leading a secondary school within an eating disorder hospital.
Nicky Everett
The Forgotten Age: Research into Adolescent Specific Provision in Healthcare
Led by Nicky Everett, Senior Lecturer, Health Play Specialist and Youth Support Coordinator
Emily Stone
De-escalation Mini-training
Led by senior play specialist at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)