How did you describe yourself when you were young?

Recalling details about the things we liked as a child and the small quirks that made us who we are, can be cathartic. When we are young it’s the little things such as our favourite flavour of crisps, that truly define us and it’s comforting to look back on them.

It’s surprising how many memories suddenly surface when we start to reflect. Whether our childhood was positive overall or not, particular stand-out objects, people, smells and other small features always pepper our timeline, helping us revisit our younger selves.

The importance of capturing the nuances of childhood

Giving young people an opportunity to share details about their own life, in real-time, in their own words, helps them document their unique traits. Talking about things that matter to them; what they had for dinner or who their best friend is, paints a richer picture of a child’s life and can provide context to other things that may be happening in relation to safeguarding.

Capturing a young person’s authentic account of their life helps practitioners build trust and rapport in the moment and can be therapeutic for young people to look back on further down the line. Being able to recognise themselves in their own care files and be reminded of certain nuances specific to their lives, can play a part in healing.

Tools that help capture a moment in time

Mind Of My Own digital tools gives young people and children a chance to talk about their lived experiences and safely document their childhood. The One App allows them to be in control of their own story, sharing details from their lives ranging from what they like to do in their spare time to places where they feel most safe. Our tools give young people an opportunity to talk about their day-to-day as well as raise any safeguarding concerns through simple statements that populate a digital diary, accessible to only them and a trusted adult.