Interactive Activity: Reframing Care Experience Through Strengths
This activity shifts the focus from assumptions about care experience to strengths. You’ll reframe negative assumptions, explore strengths using a flower metaphor, and apply this to your work. This activity can be completed alone or as part of a group.
Part 1: Reframing Assumptions
Think about common assumptions about care experienced individuals and flip them to focus on strengths:
'They’ve had such a hard life.' → 'They’ve built resilience and strength through their experiences.'
'They’re vulnerable.' → 'They’ve learned to navigate challenges with independence and adaptability.'
Now, write down 2-3 assumptions you’ve heard or thought, and reframe them into positive strengths.
Part 2: Growing Strengths
Imagine a flower representing strengths:
Centre – A core strength like resilience, independence, or adaptability.
Petals – Unique strengths like empathy, resourcefulness, creativity, or determination.
Sketch your flower or list at least five strengths care experienced individuals often develop.
Part 3: Apply This to Your Work
How can you recognise and celebrate these strengths in care experienced individuals?
What’s one thing you can do to help them build on these strengths?
Write down one action to better honour and support their strengths in your work.