How working with stormbreak can help to support social workers

Emma Dowinton, stormbreak programme lead for Together, has a depth of experience as a social worker and brings insight to how the stormbreak approach can help those working in this area. Her blog here highlights how stormbreak can- and does!- help those taking part through stormbreak Together.

Working in social work can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Creating spaces where professionals can pause, connect, have fun and recognise their own emotional wellbeing is just as important as the support we provide to others. Working with stormbreak has shown how movement, creativity, play and connection can support mental health, not only for the children and families we work with, but for social workers too.

“Attending the stormbreak Together programme created a safe and comfortable space to build relationships and connect with others. The creative and engaging stormbreak activities helped me and others in the group tune in to our bodies, recognise our emotions and find ways to regulate. Most of all, stormbreak brought in a lot of fun, laughter and support – we always need more of this.” - Fostering Training Officer, South Devon

Another social worker reflected:

“It was such a fun course. It was lovely seeing families laugh, giggle, bond and have fun. This felt so rewarding.” - Family Practitioner - Devon

For social workers, sometimes fun, connection, movement and laughter aren't extras. 

They are part of looking after ourselves too.  

To find out more about stormbreak Together, our work with foster carers, kinship, connected carers and adoptive parents, as well as the professionals around the child, contact emma@stormbreak.org.uk.

Emma Dowinton, social worker and Together programme manager at stormbreak.