Personhood

Brightwater approaches all aspects of our service in all areas using a Person- Centred approach and this is the fundamental philosophy that underpins everything we do.

Personhood is defined as:

“A standing or status that is bestowed upon one human being by others, in the context of relationship and social being. It implies recognition, respect and trust” (Tom Kitwood, 1997).

Our sense of personhood is that feeling or sense of self which is derived from our place in a social group and from the roles we perform in that group. If our surrounding environment is positive and supportive our self-esteem is reaffirmed and strengthened, but if our surrounding environment is negative then our personhood is undermined.