A social story

It’s been sometime since my last foray into blogging but recent events and a good friend inspired me to head back. So much has changed and we find ourselves in some of the oddest of times however, I feel more grateful than ever to be surrounded by the most supportive of friends and family.

Now more than ever I can relate to my students who struggle with change and need a ‘social story’ however, the real world does not cater for those adults amongst us who find ourselves in similar situations. It is our job to provide that ‘social story’ to them. But, I too need someone to break it down, give me a weeks notice and explain the ins and outs before something major changes and implement it slowly. The difference is, the world doesn’t give you a week’s notice before major changes impact your day to day life and there is no transitional period, just the odd feeling of the world moving around you whilst you try to play catch up. Never before have I been able to relate so closely to the young people I work with and truly understand how important the build up to big changes and events is to ensure things run smoothly and minimise the anxiety they can cause.

From tomorrow I will no longer be stood in front of a class of children, ready to support and encourage where needed. I don’t really know what I will do. We, as a team will be supporting the children of key workers and the children who use the school as a safe haven. We are being asked to risk our health to support the children that need us most. We’re being asked to step up to help the young ones in our community, to stay strong for them. I know that tomorrow I will turn up for work. Work will not be work as I know it. I could be making sandwiches to deliver to the community, photocopying, delivering more learning packs, working 1:1 with children or pretty much anything the school community needs. We just don’t know.

These are uncertain times and my anxiety is through the roof but, tomorrow I will go to work and do what I can to make school a fun, safe place to be for some of the youngest in our society.  We have no idea how many young people will join us, but, the doors will be open and we will welcome them.