Processing a feeling of hopelessness around the recent riots in the UK

This morning, it took me an extra hour to prepare for work after watching videos of the weekend riots. I don't always have the capacity to watch the news, but staying informed is important when my nervous system can handle it.

The problem is, I know the monumental effort it takes to turn around just one young person conditioned by adverse circumstances like poverty, academic neglect, racism, foster care instability, bullying, and domestic abuse.

It can feel hopeless when you start to consider the challenges that we face.

We need to remember the immense number of workers in social care, charity sector and childcare systems required due to community breakdown.

These dedicated individuals often get paid less than those working with computers...
How many people are prepared to face rejection and stick with a young person through thick and thin, all while getting paid the same as working in a superstore or from home in PJs?
I'm calling on managers, government officials, CSR Leaders and councils to:

-TRAINING AND SUPPORT for people working in the social care, justice and childcare sectors – reduce their paperwork burden by updating systems and processes.
-NEUROLOGICAL TESTING - Learn how to diagnose and support our young people who may have undiagnosed developmental delay affecting the way they process, learn and most importantly behave...
-EMPLOY MORE WORKERS – we seriously don't have enough, find more emotionally stable, trauma-informed individuals who champion young people.
-PAY THEM MORE – it's one of the toughest jobs.
-SUPPORT EXISTING COMMUNITIES and CHARITIES making a difference.

The things that helped me to process that feeling of hopelessness and get back on with work included:

🌻 Reminding myself of public gatherings of locals protecting the hostel in Bristol and other places from rioters.
🌻 Walking my dog and chatting with a neighbour, focusing on the majority of people who are not extremely racist.
🌻 Reflected on young people I’ve witnessed turning their behaviours around with support.
🌻 Thought about colleagues who go above and beyond to help our young people and their families.
🌻 Considered friends working to change policies and free up resources for those in greatest need.
🌻 Decided to live in a play-fuelled way today and focus on the things I can change and not the things I can't.
🌻 Being mindful of the volunteers and foster carers on the front line daily.

What helps you feel less hopeless when you see rioting?
Maybe take a moment to pause and reflect.