Looking for treasures
7 year-old Mia, a looked-after child, had experienced many different family moves and found it hard to trust others or form attachments, and therefore couldn't settle in placements. The peaceful setting and gentle rituals at Dandelion Time provided a safe environment for Mia to build a lasting relationship with her new carer, Tara.
Mia was referred to Dandelion Time after being placed with a new foster carer, Tara, to help them build a trusting relationship together.
As part of our goal setting, Tara wanted to build a positive attachment, and for Mia to begin relinquishing the need for control. Our peaceful natural environment gave them quality time together to help Mia to communicate more effectively and begin to build trust and feel safe with Tara.
At first being in larger groups and following planned activities was difficult for Mia. But the gentle rituals at Dandelion Time helped create a calming and safe setting: the welcome circle at the start of every session where the group pet guinea pigs and discuss the day’s programme, the food preparation and saying thanks before sharing meals, taking time to say goodbye before going home, and the celebration of each child’s weekly achievements.
Mia had a wonderful imagination and liked to draw and create stories. One morning, she drew a pirate map with an X to mark the spot where treasure was buried. She then happily joined the group of families as they headed to the woods to go on a scavenger hunt and play under the canopy of the trees. As they approached the wooded area, Mia suddenly refused to go on, wanting to return to the car.
With quick thinking from the family support worker, knowing the potatoes were ready to be harvested and remembering Mia’s drawing from earlier, a treasure hunt was quickly suggested.
They retrieved the ‘treasure map’, found a wheelbarrow and grabbed some garden forks. With worries now receding, Mia enthusiastically, in a peaceful yet animated way, (these emotions can work together), began to dig up little ‘golden nuggets of treasure’, exactly where the X marked the spot.
The potatoes were enjoyed by the whole group at their shared a meal later that day, a great way to finish the session and a wonderful memory for Tara and Mia to recall long into the future.
“It was so lovely to see Mia’s joy and amazement, and I was so thankful for the abundance of nature all around us here, and all the amazing things created on site that allows for those anxieties to be turned into wondrous and nurturing experiences.” – Dandelion Time Family Case Worker.
As they completed their time with us, Mia was awarded a colourful certificate with photos of Tara and her, engaged in crafting activities together, with some words of encouragement for the brave steps taken over the weeks.
Mia successfully remained on placement with Tara, and we love to get the occasional update about how she is getting on now at school and at home.
Please help us transform the lives of more children like Mia and donate today
This is a composite case that is indicative of our work, names and images have been changed.
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