Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Building Resilience:

Abstract #83 
HeadStart in Action: Building Emotional Resilience in Children and Young People in Local Communities Across England
Presenter: Angie Hart
Abstract:
This paper gives an overview of resilience approaches being developed through Headstart, a Big Lottery Funded (BLF) £75 million experimental fund to build emotional resilience in 10-14 year olds. HeadStart aims to go beyond implementing piecemeal projects. Twelve geographical areas are involved. They are being encouraged to implement a systems-wide, co-productive approach. This ambitious programme has the potential to impact significantly on children’s mental health support across the UK and beyond. Following development grants in Phase 1, each of the 12 areas was awarded £500,000 in summer 2014 for Phase 2, a ‘test and learn’ stage. They are experimenting with, and learning from different approaches, working ecologically with children, young people, their families, schools and wider systems. Areas are both targeting the needs of children at high risk of developing mental health issues, and also working with children more widely. This presentation gives an overview of the content of the phase 2 projects which varies between areas. Initiatives include: the running of licensed, school-based resilience programmes, mental health first aid, training of practitioners in resilience approaches, young people led resilience projects, community arts projects etc. The multi-stakeholder engagement aspect of this programme presents both opportunities and challenges, as does operationalising resilience in these contexts, and at this scale.

Abstract #158
Responsibility, Resilience and Youth Leadership in Emerging African Communities of Melbourne 
Presenter: Dorothy Bottrell
Abstract:
Responsibility, resilience and youth leadership in emerging African communities of Melbourne This paper presents findings from a study conducted with young leaders of emerging African communities in Melbourne. Framed within a political ecology approach (Bottrell & Armstrong 2012), individual and community resilience are understood as interdependent with the policies, public discourses and socially inclusive and exclusive practices that impact emerging communities. Young African Australians in Melbourne have been negatively represented in the commentaries of mainstream media and politicians. In these public discourses they have been cast as disengaged, criminal or “at-risk” and as needing to be made responsible. Despite the common experience of racism, stereotyping, policing and violence that are barriers to acculturation, sense of belonging and participation in the broader Australian community (Refugee Council of Australia 2009), these young leaders maintain a positive outlook, aspire to personal success and contribute to their community’s development. The paper discusses how young people understand their chosen responsibilities in terms of roles, relationships and goals. In contrast to the discourse of responsibilisation, young leaders’ accounts elaborate the close interrelationship of responsibilities and resilience.