The Importance of Stories, and the Creative Arts.

 "The stories we tell about each other matter very much.
  The stories we tell ourselves about our own lives matter.
   And most of all, I think the way we participate
   in each others stories is of deep importance"
           Jessica Jackley

                                                                                                                                           

For a child or young person sharing their stories can be the hardest thing they have ever had to do-and for the listener it can be powerful.

For the listener it can highlight lived experiences, a deeper understanding of what it is actually like in the "real-world" for that child or young person.

The difficulties faced, the raw emotions, the battles fought and lost, and the core feelings.

Listening to a child or young persons voice is the greatest thing we can do as health care professionals - listening to a families story- the impact of a hospital admission, of care received, of a diagnosis- is key to understanding, to walking alongside, to support, to empower, to care.

When these stories are shared they are of deep importance, they matter greatly, and so our role here is to sit alongside and listen, for then we may gain a little insight into their world, to provide human contact, face to face.

Sharing space with a young person is not something that we can assume- but being invited speaks volumes, once there the art of listening, without interpretation is key.

 " I remember getting off the bus, and it was raining- I had no umbrella so was getting soaked.

   I remember feeling so sad, like I was an empty can of coke, but so angry I didn't know what to do- or where to go"

 This was just the beginning of this young persons story- told quietly, in a small space, within a clinical area, whilst sharing a creative activity- it began half way through the time we had together, no pressure, using creative tools to empower, and an adult that didn't make any judgements- and acknowledged how tough, and hurtful is had been.

The narrative, the story, the lived experience - is of deep importance in healthcare across all care groups, but also amongst all health care professionals.

It can provide a level of teamwork, of shared learning and skills, of research gathering and of support.

It can also be a way of reaching out, of nurturing and of caring for each other.

As a Specialised Play Practitioner a lot of my working day is spent alongside children and young people, sharing their mini stories, and making up stories as a way of working through fears and worries about a hospital procedure or experience.

We do this in healthcare, in order to gain a deep understanding of our patients and client group- but do we do this enough?

Do we recognise the importance of stories and storytelling?

Stories are powerful instruments- they enable us to set the scene, introduce characters, and fire up the imagination of children and young people.

They may allow us to introduce puppets, instruments and costume- and although the stories may be profound, and the words used emotive- they are just as important- as a way of expression, and sometimes of working though the really "tough stuff"

Stories can also be uplifting, funny, and have a sense of achievement and growth- sparking the creative journey.

Each type of story has it place in health and social care- to challenge us, to highlight core issues-  to worry us at times, or make us passionate about its subject, but for the person trusting us enough to share -we must always listen.

Shared space and experience is a powerful thing- it should not be underestimated- it may just make an impact on a much bigger storyline- yet to be written.

   "A child's voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who have forgotten how to listen"

Sian Spencer-Little

Specialised Play Practitioner.