I recently had the deepest, life altering shift. I had a moment of remembering and recognizing something my 5 year old self had done. Confronted by a very particular situation, I spoke up. I told the adults around me of what I had witnessed. For years, I have focused on what I didn’t do but in THIS moment, everything changed for me. I was the ‘whistleblower’! I HAD done something...I called people out!

This moment (and many more) has come from years of many practices including my mindfulness practices, the Presence in Action (PIA) praxis[1] and more recently art. I know the profound difference these practices have made in my life.

For the last 9 months, I have had the privilege of developing and delivering the Midlothian Sure Start Mindfulness Programme as well as hosting 121 PIA sessions to children across Midlothian.

In doing this, I hope they have learnt different ways of meeting a moment; meeting themselves and navigating their precious worlds. I know I have learnt so much from them.

What follows are my experiences of delivering the program, what I think is the impact and what I have learnt along the way. As I write these words, I notice my discomfort with the word ‘impact’. I work in an organisational system that requires an understanding of ‘impact’ when it comes to interventions with children. So I have included feedback, observations and ‘data’ where possible that focus on changes of behaviour. These changes of behaviour are little moments when a child chooses a generative course of action (rather than destructive or obstructive). Where I have no recorded impact I will say so. Names have been anonymized and where required, consent has been given. I have also added my own insights and understandings gained along the way.

I don’t know what the impact of reading this will be on you, reader. I would love to hear. Based on my experience, I believe that Midlothian Sure Start is an extraordinary organisation, quietly, on the fringes, attending to the Midlothian community. I have also witnessed the remarkable staff across Midlothian working in various schools. I see the difference they make on a daily basis. In sharing these experience, I hope you get more of an understanding of what we are collectively doing.

Laura Kinsler

Mindfulness Practitioner