“Every once in a while, something comes along that changes everything. The Strawberry Fields (Johns) process combines digital training with creative art education and can help children out of poverty, and so create a better world.”
Sir Tim Smit, Thought Leader and Founder – The Eden Project.
Mental Health...a wake up call for Art education and humanity
We all know that anxiety and emotional stress is a killer. It is the number one cause of disability worldwide. It particularly affects our young people. Anxiety, eating disorders, depression, addiction – the list goes on. The second biggest cause of death in 10 to 24 years olds is suicide – but why? What’s going on?
Are we meant to be so unhappy? From a purely economic point of view this doesn’t make any sense to have a nation of disaffected people who use all manner of means to address these issues, from prescribing heavy medication to all types of remedial therapy. From a compassionate point of view – it is criminal that as a society that we put our children through these unnecessary emotional stresses. The answer is in empowerment through emotional self control and self actualisation.
The reason I believe this because of the experience I have had in training some of the top scientists and business development teams in the world with creativity, innovation and self actualisation techniques.
I remember seeing a lion in a small French Zoo – it was pacing up and down, up and down, clearly unhappy because the cage was too small. It was clearly suffering from stress. Its hair was falling out in patches. It reminds me of what stress can do to people who are locked in psychologically into to a system that doesn’t support normal self growth. This is not knocking our teachers – who are caretakers of the system with good hearts, but a society that doesn’t know that ignorance is not an excuse for allowing our young people to live like that lion, caged and burdened with anxiety and low expectations, even worse not knowing the way out.
The ‘unseen world’ manual for our young people is through self expression, self realisation and self actualisation. Conformity is the ‘norm’ that is the cage to self realisation. The ‘unseen world’ for our children is freedom of thought, self expression and individuality and it’s a world that is within our reach – if only we opened our eyes and saw the truth. It’s a recipe for confidence, self reflection and personal growth.
The time has come to open up this ‘unseen world’ and rather than watch our children taking drugs to dull their sense of reality, we need to open their minds to other possibilities. We have devised leadership and learning programs for the elite of the executive world, for chief executives at business schools and business managers throughout the world – now we need to use these same techniques to educate our children in a more liberated way and allow them to take ownership of their own learning and give them the control they need to overcome adversity and have better more productive and more fulfilling lives.
Do we want a society that suppresses our young people, or a society that cares about the well being and health of our children? I know which society I would want to part of. How about you?
Do we have a choice? Yes we do!
Its called the Darwin Matrix.
The Connection with Compassion and Fostering Confidence...
We learned a lot from the fostered children we cared for – we learned humility, patience and new moves around Aikido (some of the children were violent). We also learned the joy of them being healed in spirit. They all came from troubled backgrounds – but as their confidence grew – they would volunteer for things at school, like school plays. We (the whole family) were proud at what they had achieved. Our proudest moments come from the fact that years later they still keep in touch and ask our advice. A truly humbling experience. Even more significant when you realise the same techniques for developing these young people were the very same that help Leaders throughout the world navigate problem solving. Many of the issues they had, particularly with mentoring, either as individuals or groups were issues about confidence in decision making and knowing what held them back.
Fostering – as a family we learned so much about humility and how NOT to judge someone by their actions.
One of the Fostered children would sneak downstairs at 3.00am (in the morning) to take food out of our fridge and hide the food under his bed. When we asked him why he did it, after all he could eat as much as he wanted whenever he wanted. He replied (rather ashamed of himself) that his parents would be cross – even though he would be starving most of the time. They would punish him by starving him if he didn’t behave. Naturally we were shocked, and we permitted him to continue if that was his wish (though he didn’t need to). After a while – having empowered him, he gave up hiding his food to the relief of everyone.
One of the most important lessons to learn (about confidence building) is empowerment and a non judgmental approach – to behaviour. The behaviour is not the person – but often stems from a cry for help.
One of the Fostered children kicked our beloved dog (a small Yorkshire Terrier) just to get a reaction from us, in this case the young lady in question would systematically throw objects at us – knowing full well that she would get a yelp or equivalent. When she realised that we were animal lovers, it seems, it was more satisfying to be cruel to our pets. However you might react – you could not ignore such acts.
Judging a behaviour – is not the person. This particular lady had been known to bite a teachers finger – if the teacher dared to wag their finger in front of her. If the reaction is one of anger – she has received the attention she wanted. However, this was not the reaction she received. Instead – we talked about this behaviour – in a different light. She was not sent to her room (isolation is the most damaging and emotionally cruel thing anyone can do – but some parents still do it) – instead we gave her a story about a Wolf. A good wolf and a bad wolf. The story goes something like this. In everyone there is a good wolf and a bad wolf – which gets stronger? The one you feed. Whilst this is an interesting story – it also reveals that what you focus on – you get back. If it is negative thoughts you have – or bad thoughts they will come back at you. What you focus on – you get back. An important lesson in Leadership.
Concept Art and encouraging imagination through storytelling and drawing is an integral part of the Learning. It helps to build up their self esteem and their sense of self worth.
Small details have been changed to protect the identities of the fostered children. We have taken advice from early learning psychologists and experts on mental health issues. The research from the Central European University on child development concludes that… “young children are fully aware of social hierarchies and leadership roles both within themselves and adults. They track the contributions of individuals within a group and withdraw from situations when others are not doing their part. They respond to the challenges and anxieties that their ‘own demonstration of leadership and compassion’ represents to them and others, even at an early age.”
I cannot quote the children’s names or their well wishes to us as a family, or comments, except to say they learned some good techniques about how to be a good person, we called it the ‘Inner Leader within’ – but I can refer you to others who are not in Foster Care…but are suffering, here are a few comments.
A different way of thinking and knowing that is helping Children and Young Adults in all walks of Life based on Dr Adlers psychology.
All of these names (below) have been given by the participants of the confidence workshops and help to describe the processes we used for Leadership and Confidence Building. Many of them were students or young people that needed their confidence building (from links with the Samaritans).
“I feel this event has created a turning point in my life. Thank You.” Rowan O’Connor.
“I am confident I won’t be lost anymore, thank you.” Cosmo Southall.
“Fantastic, explained everything and helped me to understand about how self confidence comes from within. Thank you so much, I feel excited and liberated.” Gena Jenkins.
“The workshop has allowed me to think differently about life. After attending John’s classes this has now changed me and I am always thinking of how I can better myself. I have become more focused on achieving my dreams.” Nuzhat Yasmin
”I really enjoyed the course, particularly your focus on creativity and visualisation.” Brian Hill.
“A true paradigm shift. I now have a new perspective on how to tackle my demons. Thank you.” Liz Painter.
“His classes are always exciting and enriching, he broadened my horizons and imparted a lifetime knowledge.” Hamajam Adamu
“The creativity had an impact on the way I think, from confidence building to pressing on with ideas that I believe will work – how to tackle future barriers.” Adam Willoughby.
“Mind opening, the world is at your feet, you just have to reach out in the right way, this course has changed my life.” Michael Graham.
“You helped me to understand that with the right attitude, nothing is impossible, my heartfelt thanks.” Sabah Ouaksar.
“Thanks for the awesome mentoring, John.” Richard Samuel, Finalist and Winner, Ernst & Young, Global Creative Technology Entrepreneur – Finalist and winner!
Resilience and Confidence Building Leadership.
We have worked with Leaders of Industry (above) to help them create more patents, better services and better products utilising the power of Science, Leadership processes and Creative Thinking. Our work ranges from Mentoring, Creative Insights into Behaviour – ‘Digital Twinning’ & ‘Resilience Leadership’ – well being at work to employability skills and mentoring. Although we no longer Foster as a family – we have seen the benefits that our leadership process can have on the confidence and well being of young people.
Research from Central European University… https://bigthink.com/personal-growth/leaders-responsible-children?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1
John Rainford teaches Creativity, Art, Innovation and Entrepreneurship on MBA programmes at the Worlds top Business Schools. He has used his innovation techniques to help companies to be more compassionate, eco-friendly and business savvy.
John works for charities such as Young Enterprise, Young Foundation, Mind, Samaritans and the Global Young Business Entrepreneurship Tycoons – he was a finalist judge for 2022. (over 80 countries and 20 thousand schools were involved).
Go to www.darwinmatrix.com
or www.strawberryfields.com
or systemicinnovators.com
The picture above is an acrylic painting by John Rainford depicting Foster children – who had never seen a beach – John felt this sadness should be expressed so that people would be aware of the hardships some young people have to endure. The positive side is that the fostered children went through a Darwin Matrix course on self actualisation and confidence boosting course that helps them to thrive at school.
The start of the journey for the foster children – drawing a Darwin Matrix. Understanding the power of imagery and doodles that they create; mandala symbols – so they can make their own.
Progressing from dark drawings -to upbeat light ones that are positive and help with self esteem and self actualisation.“
The Coop (above) has been helpful in supporting our endevours with Young Enterprise and the Young Foundation.
Above Newport Girls School, Shropshire, using the Darwin Matrix software and hardwear, “Johns Darwin Matrix is truly inspirational. I found the process to be stimulating, very effective and creative for students and teachers.” Lisa Kearne, business class Teacher.
Above: Collaboration with Schools, Universities and National Enterprises like Halfords – help with confidence for young people – getting jobs.
John is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Birmingham, teaching Entrepreneurship MBA, Creativity, Concept Art. Leadership and Innovation. He also teaches at the London Business School, Singapore, Hong Kong and in the United States and Canada.
Entrepreneurship Art and Creativity Course…for details contact
Visualisation when encouraged can be a powerful healing aid
Perseverance and patience go hand in hand. Respite Fostering – this is where we would have Foster children for the weekend – were the parents weren’t intentionally negligent – but just couldn’t manage themselves. We had a young person who was the primary caregiver in her home, for example, she would have to change the nappy of her 2 year old sibling.
What was sad about this little girl was that she had never seen or been to a beach before. I must stress at this point – that the parents were barely able to look after themselves. They both had mental health issues. Though we couldn’t fix the damage that these disadvantaged kids had suffered – we could give them a loving home and most important from a Leadership perspective – showed that there was another reality.
Bed wetting can be a problem for young people and it is often associated with shame, but it can be a cry for help, we learned that ‘judging’ a child’s ‘behaviour’ can be potentially damaging for the child’s personal development.
We were very proud when one of the children who was known for crying every day in class at school – plucked up the courage to join a school play. The headmistress couldn’t believe the change that manifested itself as ‘more confident’ despite the ordeals they had all gone through for all of their lives. The Foster liaison officer ( from Spain) who wasn’t allowed to officially comment said that the Fostered children’s confidence was significantly improved and this continued to help with their well being over time, so that our leadership process was having a positive affect -boosting their morale and self esteem.
The Liaison officer explained that there is no provision for building their self confidence whilst they are in Foster Care. One of the reasons that many Fostered Children feel as though they have been thrown off a cliff – when they are of a legal age to fend for themselves. Of course, this happens all to often in the real world for troubled children who ‘don’t fit’ into societies prescribed system. Unfortunately despite well intentioned interventions, many ‘wayward kids’ end up a greater burden on society, without their self esteem and self worth being addressed.
Numerous studies have established that childhood stressors such as abuse or witnessing domestic violence can lead to a variety of negative health outcomes and behaviours, such as substance abuse, suicide attempts, and depressive disorders.
Children are encouraged to describe their safe place – and if they cannot – Imagine it – an example above created from a description.
The Liaison officer explained that there is no provision for building their self confidence whilst they are in Foster Care. One of the reasons that many Fostered Children feel upset – when they are of a legal age to fend for themselves. Of course, this happens all to often in the real world for troubled children who ‘don’t fit’ into societies prescribed system. Unfortunately despite well intentioned interventions, many ‘wayward kids’ end up a greater burden on society, without their self esteem and self worth being addressed.
Practice and Policy Implications – “Our current mental health, child welfare, and judicial systems, as well as child-placing agencies dealing with traumatized and maltreated children as if they were completely unaware of these essential findings in development, attachment, and trauma. We undervalue the powerful therapeutic impact of a caring teacher or foster parent and other potential co-therapists and the ensuing resources mental health burden and financial impact on the health sector, including the law courts.” Christine R. Ludy-Dobson
One of the most enduring lessons for the children – was that they had seen a better reality, a better (twin) version of themselves that they could aspire to. A fundamental part of the Leadership journey leading to their own confidence, well being and ‘skillsets’ to tackle adversity.