Thread by @boxinsaveslives

This week Boxing Saves Lives have worked in 20 primary schools, high schools, alternative provisions and pupil referral units. I personally have run sessions in 11 of them. Here’s a thread of what I’ve seen across all 🧵

The volume of needs among children is sky rocketing. /1

Mental health crises are increasing exponentially and more and more children are exhibiting neurodivergent behaviours that were previously unseen. We warned of this in January 2021, but even we are taken aback by the sheer scale /2

Across schools both primary and secondary I have seen many instances of dysresgulated children “Living in each others pockets”. By this I mean unable to function without attention from peers, even if this attention is negative.

Some are struggling with basic social skills /3

Anger. Anger is something we work on with boys and girls on a daily basis. Many children are carrying trauma that means anger is the only emotion they recognise. But this carries the burden of guilt shame and remorse which creates a cycle of harm and even more anger. /4

the safeguarding issues, the ‘behaviour’ issues, the emotional responses, the continued trauma are all at a level that is more frightening than I’ve seen before.

Teachers, TA’s, Senior Leaders, Inclusion and Pastoral staff are stretched beyond measure, but on they plod /5

I really wish that those outside the walls of the schools would recognise the weight of expectation on amazing staff who only ever want the best for children.

I hope something gives soon.

You can’t drink from an empty cup.

We appreciate you. Keep going

@threadreaderapp unroll please