Stronger Than You Think: An Interactive Conversation About Resilience

Join Own My Life online on Friday 18 September for an afternoon exploring how we can all build the pieces of a good life!

What does it take to build a good life after experiencing adversity? And how can we identify the resources that genuinely help people to thrive?

On Friday 18 September, from 2–4pm, Own My Life will host Stronger Than You Think: Four Pillars for a Stronger, More Resilient You, a free interactive event on Zoom. The event will explore the ideas in Professor Sherry Hamby’s new book, Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience, which brings together more than three decades of research alongside practical resources for building resilience.

Professor Hamby’s work offers evidence-based insight into the resources and priorities that can help us build a good life. During the session, she will share this research and be joined by four speakers who will bring their own experience and perspectives to the conversation.

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L-R: Sherry, Tracie, Saira, Natalie, Tim.

Dr Sherry Hamby is an award-winning Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at the University of the South, Director of the Life Paths Research Center and Founder & Co-chair of ResilienceCon. Her new book is her first written for a general audience.

Natalie Collins, CEO of Own My Life and creator of the DAY Programme, will contribute to the discussion. Natalie is the author of Out Of Control: Couples, Conflict and the Capacity for Change and Abuse is a Verb: How To Talk and Write about Abuse. She works to enable women and girls to make sense of their lives and discover how brilliant they can be. She also recently featured in the BBC documentary Lover Liar Predator.

Tim Woodhouse, Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Programme Manager, will explore the links between domestic abuse and suicide. His work has contributed to national policy, including the recognition of men's perpetration of abuse against a partner as a high-risk factor in the 2023 suicide prevention strategy.

Saira Akhtar brings extensive public-service experience, including work as a Communications Officer for the Metropolitan Police. Passionate about inclusion and community empowerment, Saira advocates strongly against honour-based abuse and works to help women and young people find safety, confidence and hope.

Tracie Faa-Thompson, a social worker and Play Therapist, brings expertise in nature-based play and animal-assisted therapies. Her work places human and animal wellbeing at its heart, and she co-founded the field of Animal Assisted Play Therapy® with Dr Rise Van Fleet.

Alongside the presentations, there will be activities, discussion and opportunities for reflection, making this more than simply a webinar. The event will be particularly relevant to people working with women subjected to abuse, mental health practitioners and anyone interested in what helps humans to flourish.

The event is free to attend, with an optional “pay what you want” ticket for anyone who would like to support the work of Own My Life.

Join us on Zoom on Friday 18 September, 2–4pm.

Book your free place for Stronger Than You Think