About the project

At heart, this project seeks to understand ‘difference’ and how we are all impacted by this. More specifically the workshops explore the topic of understanding’ intercultural’ differences in both the workplace and in therapeutic settings. They will engage with ongoing explorations and discussions in relation to the dynamics present in intercultural interactions, where lack of interpersonal understanding can easily incapacitate ease of communication with the person the worker is trying to assist.

And further to this, these workshops are designed to create a safe space in which to openly address the complexities of working in services which aim to support women from different ethnic cultures, who are traumatized by experiences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The taster sessions - introductions to the workshops - have been fascinating due to the range of responses I’ve received. As one might expect they have been full of variables and quite diverse. Not surprising really, as, understandably, each individual will come to these topics/subjects from different perspectives. I am expecting this to happen, and also welcome it.

By and large, the tilt of my project is ‘psycho-social,’ however, my vision for this project is that it will also, encompass a multi-disciplinary approach and so, offer many things - including an opportunity to develop intercultural awareness, coupled with a reflective space and personal development.  My aim is to facilitate an opportunity to come together, so we can ‘hear’ the tones of our differences in their various contexts, understand ourselves better, and therefore, become better equipped to support those who are ethnically and culturally different from us.  The workshop topics touch directly onto the subject of 'difference.'  And as my colleague added, “the many layers of the innate realities involved - where emotional, mental and physical differences also overlap.  And then connect to other unforeseen underlying complications - functioning much like a many armed octopus with strange tentacles’’.

As everything develops, the project will develop too, and offer a great deal which from my experience, isn't often covered in any length or breath in mainstream counselling/psychology trainings. These workshops are based on my many years of experience of working therapeutically and reflecting on the various facets of the above issues.  They will be of interest to individuals from various professional backgrounds, and also, strongly appeal to anyone genuinely interested in these timely topics.