360 Life: identity | healing | wellbeing

‘360 Life’ takes the participants on a journey of understanding all of the above, discovering what it means for themselves both as individuals and also relating to the different roles they have in life.

It includes teaching and experiential learning opportunities, and by the end of the workshop the participants will have knowledge about:

• the human brain
• their own unique preferences regarding learning styles, decision-making, relating to others, team dynamics
• the impact of adverse experiences and trauma on the functioning of the brain
• the relationship between trauma and mental health, including attention to childhood trauma
• and most importantly, a flexible toolset to help themselves, and those they have responsibility for, move forwards towards healing and wholeness

‘360 Life’ training has a wide application to many aspects of life and work.  It is relevant to parents, spouses, children, leaders, team-members, teachers, students, youth-workers, clergy, prison staff, chaplains, counsellors, business-people, community-based organisations and many more.

In other words, it can be applied to 360 degrees of both the life of an individual, and the life of a community.

This training is really powerful. It will change lives in such good ways as people learn to understand and love themselves more.

Counsellor J, Uganda

We are all born with a brain. The brain is key to how we function – in decision making, relating to others, processing information, responding to situations and remembering information and experiences. But if we all have the same anatomical brain, why don’t we all respond in the same way, relate in the same way, learn in the same way, reach the same decisions?

Each of us is unique, and we are shaped by our life experiences.  Negative or challenging experiences in childhood and adulthood, traumas and devaluing messages – whether to an individual or a community / people group – are all external factors that impact on our day-to-day behaviours, the choices we make in life, and our mental health.

Many people feel shame about how they perceive themselves and their ability to cope with day-to-day experiences. They don’t understand the reasons behind some of their ‘unwise’ life choices and or behaviour patterns and mental struggles. This can result in low levels of self-worth and self-esteem, which in turn can be expressed as negative external actions or a range of mental health issues.

This teaching is so useful – it will help with saving marriages and relationships between parents and children as we learn to understand each other more.

Pastor D, Uganda

Understanding how our brain works, which aspects of it are the same and which are unique to each of us, brings a deeper understanding of who we are and why we are the way we are.  It helps us clarify our identity and understand why we make certain choices and respond in particular ways.  Recognising the impact of external influences on how we function can bring acceptance and healing from that shame, helping individuals discover a pathway to a healthier and more positive view of themselves and to start to make ‘wiser’ choices. 

This knowledge also helps participants to understand others better, and to have a greater insight into the best ways to relate to those they are in contact with, whether family, spouse, work colleagues, students or any type of team.

I think that this will really help young people with working out what sort of training and careers are right for them. And that will mean that they enjoy their learning more, and have a job that suits them.

Teacher R, Uganda

‘360 Life’ can be delivered as an overview presentation to a wide variety of audiences across all sectors and is pertinent to people whatever their role(s) within society and their community. It can also be delivered as bespoke workshops for targeted audiences that go into greater depth in areas that are particularly relevant to that audience.  Workshops include key tools to enable participants to put the learning into practice in their particular ‘workplace’, be that work, home, school, church, prison, community-based project etc.

Whilst the thinking behind this programme is based on Christian values and teaching, it can be delivered with or without the Biblical perspective, depending on the preference of the particular audience.

The content of this programme has been drawn together from a number of sources and influenced by a series of conversations with a range of organisations that the author has been working with in sub-Saharan Africa. Further information on these sources is available on request.

‘360 Life’ has been compiled by Helen Harrison MA, BSc (Hons) – Partner Liaison Manager for CRED Foundation, international facilitator for community-based programme development, local councillor, and member of Thornbury Baptist Church. ‘360 Life’ is an independent programme under the charitable status of Links Charity (number 1168872)

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