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Safe Space Workshops
I attended the “Safe Spaces for Children/Youth/Young Adults Session II” virtual training. Stacey Hall-McLeod was the facilitator. Two other presenters were Mildred and Ted. Each presenter dispensed with their titles to make everyone feel at ease. They also shared strategies for creating safe spaces for lifting young people voices.
Session II – A REAL Strategy
Melissa introduced the listening strategy “REAL.” in the first workshop. In Session II, this was a chance to practice active listening. It was not just my opinion that the session was a good one. Other participants shared their thoughts. I also received follow-up phone calls explaining why Session II was relevant to their personal life and ministry. As a follow-up to this activity, we were given a particular assignment to do before workshop number three.
Assignment – The Transformative Circle
Before Session III, I am to organize a small event with friends and/or family. Keeping it to a small gathering, I am to prepare a beautiful meal. Therapists sometimes called this activity “The Transformative Circle.” For this assignment, I am calling it “Set the Dinner Table.”
I have this belief that I generally create “safe spaces.” In this assignment, however, my task is to create a warm atmosphere for any quests to resolve personal conflict(s). Since the family has grown over the years, I gave that honor of meal preparation to my daughters. I willingly focus on the atmosphere. Within two weeks, we were to put what you learned into practice before Session III with Stacey.
The Dinner Table Experience – My Plan
At each place setting, I will place a beautiful card (or paper) with an open/ended question. Stacey gave us examples of open-ended questions. First, we will practice active listening. No interruptions. Allow each person to answer his/her question(s). Most importantly, we will not give answers to what we think we hear. The task is to validate another person’s trauma. It does not make it a fact but it is what a person feels. This is key to the process. We will acknowledge that the person feels this way. For more about the table, we suggest this post, Setting the Dinner Table.
Uncertain as to what triggers could occur, I will introduce the “breathing” technique. This will help with relieve anticipated anxiety.
Perceptions
I must say as a retired educator and in my current ministerial leadership, you might think this task to be simple. Unfortunately, it is not. If you are generally one who gives advice, it comes naturally to do so. However, in “Set the Dinner Table,” activity that is not the focus. Yours is to listen. The difference is that I am being ask to do this activity with open-ended questions that might trigger reactions. In addition, family members are welcome into my personal space in this activity.
Take – Aways
This might call for additional sessions for support. You do not have to go it alone. Reach out.
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