Resourcing parents, children and organisations to be resilient and thrive through challenging times
Information, support and practical tools for a changing world
We offer information, training and support carefully designed to foster and grow essential and radical resilience for parents, educators and organisations who support young people.
Our work is built on sound, up to date and immediately usable research and practice from the fields of neurobiology, attachment, trauma and resilience. Our approach is deeply relational and imbued with creativity, mindfulness and compassion.
Co-resilience
a radical reclaiming
The word ‘resilience’ is of the moment. We need to be talking about it and yet it is understood in different ways according to the context.
The way we define resilience at LifeKind is the strength and flexibility to change, adapt and thrive in the face of challenge. It is not about simply bouncing back. It is about growing ever deeper into connection with ourselves, each other and the natural world, knowing that we are not alone.
There is no such thing as a resilient individual. Humans have evolved to depend utterly on each other and on the natural world. For this reason we are using the word co-resilience which starts to convey the depth of our dependence on each other.
Co-resilience is rooted in childhood. Our evolved needs are for intense and lifelong warm and empathic connection with others. Babies are born to expect a village of people to respond to every need with care. Growing children stay connected to safe adults to develop to their full potential.
Our industrial cultures have forgotten this truth and we are now seeing the devastating consequences; in tragic levels of mental illness amongst children, soaring social inequality, ecological devastation and climate change.
To face the challenges that are here now and in the future we need a new story - a story of change and reconnection with life, with all that enables us to be fully human. Co-resilience means that we are stronger together. It shows us a different way to bring up children, a way that gives them the true strength and flexibility to face the future.
There is no other way forward that stands a chance.
CLIMATE ANXIETY - A CALL TO ACTION.
Jo gave a recent free seminar exploring climate anxiety in young people, why this is the most urgent challenge facing us as adults, what’s needed and how we can help.
Recovery and Resilience
supporting staff through the covid pandemic and beyond
A small child staring in wonder at a line of ants, watched fondly by a loving parent is directly linked to the survival of life on earth.
We are living in challenging times. Parents are struggling, children are suffering and our system is not currently up to the task of supporting us to cope let alone thrive. Children and young people are experiencing a devastating mental health crisis in the face of the global pandemic and climate change. Parents and teachers feel the distress but need more support. This needs our urgent attention.
Another world is possible, one where parents feel supported and up to the task of raising strong and confident children; where children are seen, heard, valued and can grow into their fullest potential; and where communities come together to create a culture that is connected, compassionate and fully resourced to meet the ever evolving challenges we face. For that we need new ideas and robust strategies for meeting life with strength and flexibility.
Change is needed
online courses
Practical and empowering courses for parents and educators. Bringing together the latest scientific research and ancient wisdom to grow resilience in the face of the current climate and biodiversity crisis.
resources
Practical, bite sized tools for self-regulation, stress management and resilience. The beginnings of a collection of videos, conversations with Jo and articles for parents, young people and activists.
talks & trainings
Jo McAndrews is a passionate speaker and a profoundly empowering trainer. Her delivery is well researched, highly practical and supportive, leaving her audience with greater insight, tools for change and a deeper sense of hope and possibility.
We can’t protect our children from the impact of climate change, but we can protect them from the trauma of being alone with it
Jo McAndrews
Get the support you need
-
support for parents
Informative, practical tools to help you navigate your parenting for better connection and resilience. Parenting is stressful and we were never meant to do it alone.
We need each other. -
support for children and young people
Accessible practical resources for children and young people to help build emotional and psychological resilience, handle big feelings and deal with climate change.
-
support for organisations
Talks, workshops and consultancy for organisations committed to responding to climate change in a way that builds resilience in the young people and carers they work with.
“I recently had the privilege of attending some training delivered by Jo McAndrews around managing secondary trauma, and I have to say it was THE most inspirational, insightful and useful training I have ever done; plus it was marvellously delivered..”
Jane E, foster carer
Jo McAndrews
Jo McAndrews is a mother, trained integrative arts psychotherapist and passionate environmental campaigner who has been running workshops and courses for the last 30 years on education, child development, community and social justice, trauma and bereavement. With her warm and inclusive style she creates a safe and friendly environment to explore difficult subjects.
Jo is a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) you can find more about their work here.
For information support and practical tools on how to build your resilience, join my mailing list.
Get in touch
If you’d like support in building resilience, have some questions or want to work together please do get in touch. I’d love to hear from you
Email
jo@jomcandrews.com
