Here we have the beginning of a great Global project suggested by Stephen Langer of the SFT-L mailing list. The aim is to create some form of central directory of sf practices so that people can search for sf practitioners in specific geographical locations. This seems to fit well with the UK sf map I created last year which has had around 26,000 views in the last year.



TokBox - Free Video Chat and Video Messaging

Hi team,
The Stafford IG last night was a great success and saw the first use of skype (thanks to carl Plant) to welcome Rayya Ghul from Canterbury. Rayya is an author, OT, Senior lecturer and all round good sort who uses SFBT in mental health settings.
We hope to welcome more people from across the UK in future and also make it possible for people from the area to take in the conversations part even if they can’t make it to the venue in person.
Carl had put instructions on signing up for skype on the www.solutionfocusedapproaches.co.uk website.

The conversation covered a wide range of SFP realted subjects including the forthcoming UKASFP conference at Keele, the way that theory/managed needs and practice/practitioner wishes are managed and the recent developments in the communities of practice.

The Panaorama programme about the BabyP case and the innaccuracies of reporting were discussed. The subsequent dialogue within the UKASFP www.ukasfp.co.uk and on discussion lists such as The Spectator http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/features/3592051/solution-focused-therapy-is-only-the-worst-of-the-delusions-in-the-baby-p-case.thtml#comments have seen some of the criticisms of SFBT addressed and the sources of information severly questioned.

Recent discussions with colleagues in Stafford and from Changes have led to a planned event looking at the natural fit of recovery and SFP. More details to follow.

Demand for training continues and course dates for September 2009 onwards will be set soon.

Next IG is at the Keele pre-conference event on Thursday 11th June. Carl Plant will be in charge of proceedings.

All the best,

Steve

Let no one tell you the Staffordshire SFA interest group is not interesting and it's where people talk about the same subjects time and again.

Last night we had the 4 of us in Stafford with Rayya via video conference. In true SFA fashion we had no agenda and yet covered a vast amount of ground in such a small amount of time.

The subjects ranged from catching up with local and National developments in sf practice to discussing various ways in which we can 'host conversations' that focus on the participants as experts and not on the presenter. The 2 conversational examples we focused on were the world cafe approach and open space technologies. Both approaches focused on developing questions and listening styles that connected ideas, listened for what works and joining people from diverse perspectives.

Some how the conversation moved to quantum physics, now I'm not even going to try to describe the analogy Simon used even though it was well described, I'm just going to let this topic develop and hopefully Simon can add a few words in the next few weeks.

We have set up a skype chat room under the title 'Being solution focused", this chat room is free to join, just requiring skype on your pc or mobile phone. We will use the text feature mainly however may use the skype telephone feature at times.

Please grab yourself a coffee/tea/beverage and pop into the chatroom, we will mainly use it on the evenings of the interest group however the room will remain open so if there's people already there then say hello!

People involved in the international community of practice have been asking a significant question for years. 'What happens to the hundreds and thousands of people who attend SFP training, give a great evaluation and then disapear?'
recent conversations with people in the Staffordshire area suggests that they go out and get on with it. A few people I've met have enthused about the training and the impact it has had on their practice, home life and job satisfaction. They also note the benefits for their customers. What few seem to 'need' is to keep coming back to learn more as that have made SFP their own.
This may explain the small numbers who make to events, join the UKASFP and engage actively with the community. The potential difficulty is that people miss out on SFP updates, support with tough situations and the opportunity to benefit from the wealth of expertise which is out there.
Just a thought,

Steve

The next Interest Group is at 7pm next Tuesday 19th May at;
Chartley Centre, 96 Stone Road, Stafford, ST16 2RS. http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Is anyone interested in meeting up at Harplands to car share for the trip down?

New SFP activity: There are a number of developments which will be announced over the next couple of weeks so watch this space!

Updates and training: There is a lot of benefit in keeping up to date with solution focused skills/information etc. If you have done an introductory course (in Staffordshire or elasewhere)and are using solution focused practice in your work you need to update by attending a Next Steps 1 day refresher.
Solution Focused practice has moved on consdierably in the past couple of years. If your introduction to the approach was a while ago then either a Next Steps or the ‘new and improved’ 3 day course is worthwhile. Places can be booked by contacting Bex Rebecca.Alcock@northstaffs.nhs.uk or Mandy Mandt.Brown@northstaffs.nhs.uk in our training department.

All the best,

Steve