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These parents and children attended a 10 week workshop together. Hear their views: ____________________ Jordan got a great deal out of the ten week course we did with Usha and other mums and kids. Following this, his individual work with her has given him further strategies for when he is anxious and thinking negatively about himself and situations. Most importantly, Jordan has been able to benefit from the relationship he has with Usha, which has meant that everything they have explored together has had meaning for him. He has been able to process deeply painful experiences and has grown in confidence in himself. I know that he will always remember his sessions because he felt totally accepted, valued and supported in his growth, as well as having fun along the way. Thank you. (Parent of 11 year old) ____________________ Alex is a more confident and positive child. He now has a range of new strategies to help him deal with the ups and downs of modern day life. (Parent of 11 year old) ____________________ My child is less stressed and more relaxed. She is more confident in talking to me - more open about things. This course is a worthwhile investment. In the parent session I felt connected and shared something worthwhile. (Parent of 8 year old) ____________________ She has become more relaxed and can control her anger better as she is usually quick to anger. She feels better about herself and herheight issues. I would say that this course is a very small price to pay for your child's happiness and teaches them valuable lessons they can use throughout their lives. I got to understand how she reacts and interacts with others and how she feels about herself. Bring the classes into schools so that more children can benefit from this life changing course. (sister of 8 year old child - sister attended the Summer 2007 workshop) ____________________ At the beginning of the year we were at the end of our tether as our son's bullying at school had reached a crescendo and it seemed like everywhere we turned, no one wanted to help. He was steadily going downhill and we were beside ourselves with worry and felt so helpless - we wanted our boy back. Then he began his sessions with Usha and the progress began and then steadily improved and I as his parent learnt so much about myself. He is now so much more confident and we truly feel that we have our child back and can't thank you enough! Parents and kids in this situation need a "pocket Usha" that they can call on whenever they need to - thank you :-)
(Parent of 10 year old - child attended one-to-one sessions - 2008)
____________________ He's become more open to talking about how he feels to me, more than usual. The workshop has helped me observe T without him knowing - he is much more calm and relaxed. What I would say to other parents is that their children will love the experience of connecting to other children and not being alone in their worries. (2007 Summer workshop)
(4 months later), this parent wrote to me and gave me a synopsis of a conversation she had with T.."It's been four months since you did the summer workshop, do you think it has been a benefit to you? His answer was immediate... T "Oh yes, I'm much more relaxed and I don't get anxious anymore" Parent "Could you give me an example of a time when you noticed the difference?" T - "Well, in the past when I would remember just as I was going to bed that I had homework to hand in the next day, I would panic and be up all night being sick, which would mean I genuinely too ill to go to school, I wasn't making it up, but now when I remember I just think I'll get up at 6 and do it then, and then I would get up at 6 and do it without thinking about it..." Parent "He looked totally chilled when he said this. Thank you for running the summer workshop - is is the gift of peace of mind..." (Parent of child aged 12 years) ____________________ J absolutely loves coming here. He really wants to come. He gives his mum 5 minute reminders in the morning so that he can get there on time. He is a lot happier in himself and there have been positive subtle changes. I would tell others that it is well worth a try. When I was in school I couldn’t remember having so much stress upon me. It is the culture of the society nowadays and we get caught up in it. Then the parents get stressed out and pass it onto their children without any intention.
The workshop has really helped J. He is more confident and caring and he appears to have matured more. He acts like a grown-up and will take more responsibility – he is more helpful. For example, he offered to get my suitcases down from the loft because I have a bad knee and he said ‘don’t worry nana, I will get them down otherwise you will hurt your knee’
He really loves gardening and cooking. He helped me to make the dinner last night. I would definitely advise other parents to ‘give it a go’
I have learnt and enjoyed the parent session a lot too. I have never done anything like this before and it was so relaxing. I have been to ‘The Sanctuary’ (In Covent Garden) before and had Indian Head Massage and manicures and pedicures and I do feel relaxed there – but nothing had made me feel as blissful as I do now. I admire Usha because she has a really calm and positive aura about her.
(grandparent of child aged 8yrs) ____________________ I would highly recommend the workshops because Y was always excited, enthusiastic and willing to come. I liked the fact that it was a small and relaxed group without too much hyper going on. Y’s main improvement in my opinion is in his moods, I have noticed that he is less angry and frustrated in general, and when he was, he calmed down quickly. He has a friendlier approach to her and his brothers and sisters (including his foster siblings). Y is much happier. He was always motivated to come to the workshop with no problems getting up and out the house, which is the exception for him, with all other clubs and activities it has always been a problem to get him there.
(Parent of 10 year old) ____________________
S was happier, more willing, and friendlier especially towards his Dad. S is more in touch with his feelings and those of others. (Said obvious emotion in her voice) he said “ I love you Mum” which is quite exceptional for him. I also found him singing whilst he was playing which is something he has not done for many years. On one occasion in the week he had thrown a tantrum then within 2 minutes was calm and relaxed again, usually he would have played up for the rest of the day. I have learned that I need to be braver with him and take risks, I would try new things with him again. Previously the resistance had been so high, and given the distress he went through at school when he was 6 I hadn’t pushed it for fear of distressing him again.
(Parent of 9 year old child) ____________________
“It’s a small price to pay NOW for something that will set them up for the rest of their lives and enable them to make life decisions” (Parent of 15 year old) ____________________
She talks a lot more. She was really enthusiastic about coming to the workshop. Since she has been coming, she has started writing her poetry again. She uses the affirmation cards. Our relationship is better – we talk more. The workshop has given her the opportunity to look at herself and her behaviour. It has allowed her to reflect and think positively about herself and with other people (Parent of 12 year old) |
Testimonials
I made new friends. It’s fun doing all the activities. I really enjoyed the massage. I enjoyed the football outside. When you think and listen to the music you get relaxed. At school you do work and here you do activities which I enjoy. In the workshop you learn more things like massage and how to relax properly. It helps you to take your fears away. You learn ways of calming down. I’ve learnt how to think positively.