Expanded Impact report
Rooted Wisdom CIC – Expanded Impact Report
This report summarises participant feedback, therapeutic outcomes, and emerging themes from Rooted Wisdom CIC workshops and the Rooted in Resilience programme delivered within schools, community settings, and custodial environments.
Executive Summary
Feedback collected across multiple sessions demonstrates strong levels of emotional engagement, psychological reflection, cultural relevance, and participant trust. Young people repeatedly described feeling listened to, understood, calmer, and more able to reflect on themselves and others.
Key Emerging Themes
- Feeling listened to: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Increased self understanding: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Group reflection/peer learning: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Cultural identity discussions: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Relaxation/emotional regulation: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Would recommend programme: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Requested more sessions: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
- Positive facilitator feedback: observed repeatedly across participant responses.
Participant testimonials
“Makes me understand more in different angles.”
“It can help people get to know themselves a lot better.”
“Very amazing listening to us and talking us in.”
“How she encouraged everyone to take part.”
“We talked about our cultures and role models.”
“I felt relaxed.”
“Learning new terms such as countertransference.”
Therapeutic and Educational Impact
The feedback suggests that participants benefited from a combination of psychodynamic reflection, group discussion, cultural exploration, and trauma-informed facilitation. The programme appeared to support emotional regulation, self-expression, identity exploration, and peer empathy.
Facilitator Impact
Participants consistently described the facilitator as patient, understanding, engaging, and supportive. Many responses specifically referenced feeling heard and encouraged to participate.
Recommendations for Development
The majority of developmental feedback focused on expansion rather than criticism. Suggestions included:
- More frequent sessions
- More interactive activities
- Additional case studies
- Increased physical/group interaction
Summary
The Rooted Wisdom CIC approach demonstrates strong potential as a culturally informed, trauma-responsive intervention model for young people, particularly Black and mixed-race young men. The feedback reflects meaningful relational engagement, emotional safety, reflective capacity, and participant trust across different settings.