TeamUp is an inclusive, movement and play-based psychosocial support (PSS) intervention delivered through structured sessions for children aged 6 to 18 years. This evidence-based methodology improves children’s wellbeing and supports their resilience. Its play-based and non-verbal nature ensures inclusion of children from diverse backgrounds, even when speaking different languages. Sessions are delivered by facilitators (e.g. teachers, social workers, community volunteers) who are trained and mentored to provide a safe space for children to release tension and process their emotions, and to support the children’s daily routines and social connectedness with their peers.
The sessions are implemented according to the principles of same place, same face and same time. This creates a sense of stability and predictability for the children that are needed to reach the PSS outcomes. To ensure quality of the sessions, TeamUp is implemented according to a set of key minimum standards that can be contextualized as appropriate.
The impact
An increased sense of safety
Protection concerns are noticed and acted upon through trained facilitators who recognize protection and mental health concerns and connect children to appropriate services through established referral systems. TeamUp facilitators create an inclusive environment where children feel heard and respected in a safe space. TeamUp provides structured environment where children feel safe and protected.
A strengthened social connectedness
Play and movement resources are strengthened and social awareness is increased through safe, playful activities that promote children's cognitive, social, and emotional development while fostering creativity and self-expression.
Children’s relationships are strengthened and maintained through positive and regular interactions with others. Through TeamUp sessions children learn crucial socio-emotional skills that help them to establish, maintain and strengthen peer relationships
An improved self-regulation
Children’s stress is reduced through the structure of the session, build up and flow allows children to mobilize their bodies to feel energized or to settle to feel relaxed and calm. Self-awareness and self-regulation are improved through sessions that focus on sensations in their body, feelings and how their behavior may affect others. Positive experiences and outlook are (re-)created through the TeamUp sessions which offers possibilities for playfulness where children may experience humor and joy through a sense of togetherness with peers.
This ultimately culminates into an improved psychosocial wellbeing and increased resilience.
at this moment teamup works in:
Partners
WarChild is committed to children in war zones in the field of psychosocial support, education and protection.
UNICEF is the United Nations children's rights organization.
We're working with more and more organizations, such as SOS Kinderdorpen, so that we can implement TeamUp in more countries.