Life story work helps people to talk and learn about their life experiences with the help of a facilitator. It allows them to develop a more coherent narrative about their life. For young people in care it can help them to understand more about the reasons for them coming into care or for changes of placement. Using a Narrative-based approach to life story work, the past is acknowledged but there is an emphasis on how the young person has responded to those difficult times. It emphasises the resilience they have shown as well as helping them develop a greater appreciation of people who are currently in their lives. It not only looks to the past but also helps them to start to develop a greater appreciation of who they are now, their strengths, as well as their hopes and dreams for the future.
If you'd like to learn more about my journey in developing this approach you can listen to the Agents of Hope podcast I did with Tim Cox in October 2021:
https://agentsofhope.buzzsprout.com/993319/9300798Bit of a warning, it is quite long, so you might want to listen over a few sessions or car journeys.