Having courageous conversations starts by being brave, being safe and being connected

Many young people are understandably anxious or upset by the news of the Russian attack upon Ukraine, and will be wanting to understand what’s happening and share their own thoughts and feelings.

The simple, powerful qualities of conversation cannot be underestimated. It may seem overwhelming to start to talk about what is happening with Russia and Ukraine but we need to be talking - especially to young people in our care. At a time when there are seemingly ever-more things happening to make us feel overwhelmed and anxious, having a safe place to be talking is essential.

There are three simple elements to consider when bringing these conversations into the classroom or home environment:

Be Brave
Be kind to yourself and recognise that you don’t need to be an expert in the politics to start the conversation. Your role is to welcome the questions and the emotions and allow young people to have a space to talk and be sharing and learning together.

Be Safe

Create a space to talk about the war and how young people are feeling by creating a safe space. Supporting young people to feel safe, to feel heard, to make sense of the world and be understood is essential for their emotional health and wellbeing. Explore our simple guidance here.

Be Connected

Move from a space of anxiety to action, firstly by recognising that others are feeling the same feelings. Find a way to channel emotions into action, whether that is by supporting donations or international aid organisations, writing letters of support or sharing learning with others in school.

To support these discussions, we’re sharing some of the resources our friends and partners have put together to help teachers, parents and young people to bring these conversations into the classroom or home.