Development
MetaCards are currently being used in Germany; Denmark; Austria; Slovakia and the Czech Republic. They have been developed as a Leonardo Transfer of Innovation project.
Workers who are helping young people to plan changes in their lives have found the MetaCards can make a real difference in the style of interview and the outcomes. From February 2010 a team of MetaCard Trainers will be available in each partner country.
We are very keen to develop the MetaCards throughout Europe. Already a number of Organisations in different European countries. Please contact us to find out about how the cards can be translated into your home language and how staff can be trained
MetaCards were originally developed by Dave Stewart and Gary King (artist) in Britain as a set of resources for Positive Steps Oldham. They worked with young people to generate ideas and produced three sets of cards: Power; Mirror and Road cards. The cards were built into a training programmed are being used in over 60 Local Authorities in England. The cards are based on Solution Based and Neuro Linguistic programming Theory. However the most important feedback from staff and young people is that they are client centered. The cards place the young person at the center of the interaction and change the dynamics of the interview. The essence of work with young people is to understand "their map of the world", their meanings are driving their behavior and the cards encourage projection which is the start of the process of change.
The cards offer young people the opportunity to express themselves and see their life in the form of visual metaphors. this encourages "Meta" thinking and provides the young person with a clearer perspective on their life and their future. They also provide a very easy communication form to help others understand the young person is
