Meeting challenging times together
Growing active resilience for children, young people and communities in a changing world
For organisations
Practical, research-based training that helps teams support children and young people, and look after themselves while they do it.
Warm, practical support for raising children in a changing world, through one-to-one coaching or my self-paced online course.
Singing
Community singing for connection and resilience. My singing groups are warm, welcoming and as inclusive as I can make them.
For parents
I am Jo McAndrews, a specialist trainer and facilitator with over 30 years’ experience working across the education, social care and community sectors.
My work draws on up-to-date research and practice in neurobiology, attachment, trauma and resilience, and on a deep belief that none of us is meant to do this alone.
I train and support professionals across social care, education and health, climate-focused organisations, mental health provisions, and children’s services.
I work with children and families, accompanying parents and carers who are looking for support and care in the deeply important work of raising children.
I lead community singing, because singing together is one of the oldest ways humans have of building resilience.
Training for teams and organisations
I work with social care, education, health and community organisations to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of the people who support children and families. My training is well researched, highly practical and warm, and people leave with real tools for change, and a renewed sense of hope.
Courses are designed for social workers, foster carers, teachers, youth workers and therapists, and can be delivered online or in person, as standalone sessions or longer programmes.
Please visit the link below to learn more about what I offer professionals and organisations:
“Superb content and trainer. Refreshingly honest, the authenticity of Jo’s message, delivered with a spirit and commitment congruent with her obvious belief in the importance of the learning, was very clear.”
– Feedback from training recipient
Support for parents and carers
Raising children in a changing world is deeply important work, and no parent or carer is meant to do it alone. I offer warm, practical support grounded in the latest research on attachment, trauma and resilience, to help you parent with deep empathy and radical care.
One-to-one coaching
A thoughtful, non-judgemental space to talk things through, from anxiety and school challenges to grief and neurodiversity.
The magic of warm listening
A self-paced online course you can start any time, to help your child feel truly heard, supported and secure.
Workshops and talks
On topics like the adolescent brain, challenging behaviour and listening to your child, for schools, nurseries and parent groups.
The magic of warm listening
an online course for parents and carers
Parenting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.
The Magic of Warm Listening is a deeply supportive course designed to help you build the strong, connected relationship your child needs to thrive.
Grounded in the latest research on attachment, trauma, and resilience, it will give you the practical tools and compassionate guidance to become your child’s best ally, especially in challenging times.
Truth without trauma
A practical guide for parents and other adults who would like to be more resourced when talking with children about climate change.
Understand why talking about climate change is so vitally important right now and how we can go about it in a more resilient and resourceful way.
Supported by neuroscience and full of practical strategies and advice.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive your free guide.
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.
“We can’t protect our children from the impact of a changing world, but we can protect them from the trauma of being alone with it”
Jo McAndrews
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