Conversations that Make a Difference for Children and Young People

This beautifully written, accessible, jargon-free and thoughtful book is a wonderful contribution to the world of the power of relationships and connections. It combines poetry, with a range of conversations which have been transcribed with people from lots of different sectors and from a range of contexts. Each interview is filled with so much richness and food for thought, as well as bringing people's journeys and stories alive. Lisa then concludes each section with reflective questions which can be the springboard for so much further learning and interweaving of the theme. A joy to read and one to not be missed!

Dr Karen Treisman, Clinical Psychologist

At a time when many of us feel the physical and emotional distance caused by a pandemic, this book is a reminder that some of the most important connections come through open and reflective conversations. Lisa facilitates stories of attachment, adversity and trauma with humility and openness. The contributors illustrate the power of embracing vulnerability for growth and learning. Together, they show us that above everything, it is often the capacity to love and to nurture that can make the biggest difference to those we support. The call to action is to keep talking, feeling and learning.

Kerry Payne, Early Childhood Special Educational Needs and Disability Specialist

This book is a must-have for anyone seeking to understand the importance of conversations when working with children and young people. The voices captured in this book are diverse yet what they all have in common is the focus on the transformative impact that conversations can have on lives and outcomes for children and young people. Although the author introduces theoretical perspectives in an accessible way in her desire to reach a diverse audience, the 'academic' nuances are not lost as she provides reflective questions, and identifies relevant additional reading.

The key message in this book is that 'conversations matter' and with that in mind the author and contributors have used their conversations to explain the value of conversations in relationship focussed work.

Dr Prospera Tedam, Honorary Visiting Fellow, Anglia Ruskin University

I loved this book! It is beautiful in so many ways; the voice of the author can be heard clearly and she brings to it both her personal and professional lived experience - it and we are richer for that. It is accessible to all, with its mix of conversation, signposting (to further reading) and questions, stimulating reflection and, no doubt, new conversations. This book is equally suited to the solitary reader or a book club of those who wish to make a difference to children's lives, as Lisa Cherry has and continues to do so, with humility and a singular determination. Lisa and her contributors would produce one hell of a dinner party conversation!

Colin Pettigrew, Corporate Director for Children, Young People and Schools