Future Events Archives

10th September 2024

Art Therapy for Parents

Creative Cocoon
‘Life is something endlessly in the process of becoming something else.’
(Richard Holloway)

As an adoptive parent, you will know that life is a juggling act, and that things rarely stay the same for long. As we move out of the summer, and into the autumn once more, this is your opportunity to cocoon; to take a step back from daily routines and the din of family life.

Over four consecutive Tuesday evenings in October, we will meet as a small group, and use the medium of art materials to express our family ‘landscapes,’ needs for balance, boundaries and transformation. Creativity is normally birthed out of chaos, and so the only prerequisite for joining this group is your family’s own unique blend of imperfection. In our ‘creative cocoon’ we will consider the humble butterfly and what it can teach us about being still, journeying through mess, and surrendering to new beginnings.

The group will be led by Julie Mehaffy, Art Psychotherapist. Julie has a love for the metaphors found in nature, and views all creativity as a form of self-expression. There is no need for artistic skill in joining this group, but simply a desire to play around with colours and textures whilst keeping in mind the needs of your wee family.

Dates: 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd October 2024

Venue: Family Routes Office, Unit 2, 18 Heron Road, BT3 9LE

Time: 7.00-8.30pm

**Although a ‘group,’ this is an opportunity primarily for self-reflection and so there will be no pressure to share stories or struggles with others unless you choose to do so.

How do I sign up?
CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.

10th September 202410th September 2024

Art Wellbeing Course for 7-11 year olds

This online course will be led by Melissa McCracken who has been delivering 1-1 and group support with TESSA for a number of years.

In her art therapy sessions, she strives to create a warm and confidential environment where participants can feel safe and nurtured. It’s a space where the young people can freely explore a wide variety of art materials and express their emotions, whether through words or non-verbal means.

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t have any prior art experience – it’s not a requirement at all. Each group session will be personalised to suit the needs within the group, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported throughout the process.

All participants will receive an Art pack in the post prior to the first session.

Prepare for some messy and creative fun.

Dates:
Wednesday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd October (1 week break), 6th and 13th November

Venue: Online

Time: 6.30-8.30pm
*Please note that a parent or guardian must remain in the same room as participants during each session for Safeguarding purposes.

How do I sign up?
CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.

20th August 202410th September 2024

A donkey experience

Pre-teen wellbeing course for ages 7-11

Participants will participate in a fun, practical and gentle approach through shared-experiences with our family of donkeys in a safe and nurturing environment. The course will promote confidence, self-esteem and develop positive well-being whilst encouraging team-working building relationships with each other and the animals. Also, the programme will encourage the participants to connect with each other, build upon their social and emotional skills whilst making friends along the way.

Activities will include caring for and looking after the donkeys, brushing and spending time with them and taking part in activities in the great outdoors with the donkeys as the central learning tool. Also, the participants will take part in a food hunt around the farm determining what’s good for the donkeys to eat and collectively bring the selection of plants together to make a colourful collage which they can take home and cherish.

The programme will conclude with a celebration activity by gathering around the camp fire, toasting marshmallows.

*Please bring with you a snack and a drink, wellie boots, rain coat and wrap up warm in case the weather is changeable.

*Priority will be given to participants who have not engaged in this programme previously.

When:
Fridays 4.30-6.30pm
6th, 13th, 20th and 27th September
4th & 11th October

Where:
Learning in harmony with donkeys, Saintfield.

How do I sign up?
CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.

10th July 202410th September 2024

Understanding Children’s Behaviour

Tessa and Family Routes are excited to announce a series of workshops specifically for Parents of adoptive children and teens. Please fill in the form below to sign up.

Understanding Children’s Behaviour – 3 Available dates, participants need attend one date.
This is a three-hour interactive workshop which aims to create a greater understanding of children’s behaviour in line with the most up to date research in Neuroscience and child development.

It will allow parents/carers to:

Feel more confident in their parenting style, reducing parental anxiety.
See their child’s behaviour in a whole new light.
Find practical and realistic ways to make long term positive changes to family life.
Make connections between early life experiences and current behavioural difficulties.
Enjoy their relationship with their child.

Date: Tuesday 17th September 2024
Time: 6 – 9pm
Venue: Greenvale Hotel, 57 Drum Road, Cookstown, BT80 8QS

Date: Tuesday 22nd October 2024
Time: 6 – 9pm
Venue: Aisling Centre, 37 Darling Street, Enniskillen, BT74 7DP

Date: Tuesday 14th January 2025
Time: 6 – 9pm
Venue: Family Routes Offices, Unit 2, 18 Heron Road, Belfast, BT3 9LE

How do I sign up?
Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.

Places are limited so someone will be in touch to confirm.

10th July 202410th September 2024

Love and Rage

What is the Love and Rage Parenting Course?
Why are so many adopted children verbally or physically aggressive?
What are they communicating through their behaviour?
What is the impact of living with a traumatised child?
How do we stay calm in the face of our children’s overwhelmed and overwhelming emotions?

Love and Rage is a four-week programme offered by TESSA/Family Routes for parents of adopted children to explore these frequently asked questions. This course is aimed at parents of children who are struggling to handle and process their big emotions such as rage and anger.

IN PERSON COURSE
Dates: Monday 23rd and 30th September, 7th and 14th October 2024
Venue: Family Routes Office, Unit 2, 18 Heron Road, BT3 9LE
Time: 10am – 1pm

ONLINE COURSE
Dates: Wednesday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th November, 4th and 11th December
Venue: Online
Time: 6.30-8.30pm

How do I sign up?
Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.

Places are limited so please complete the booking form soon and we’ll be in touch to confirm your place.

10th July 202410th September 2024

Working things out – parents

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Working Things Out Programme in collaboration with Holywood Family Trust and Parent Plus. Aimed at helping parents support their TEENS in developing skills and techniques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing

The Working Things Out programme aims to help parents build communication and conflict resolution skills with their TEENS. The sessions are designed around a DVD containing personal stories of adolescents who have coped with challenging mental health issues such as, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, Self-harm and Suicide, as well as issues such as, Bullying, School Pressures, and Conflict with Parents.

These stories offer opportunities for parents to work through ways to support their TEENS in facing some of these challenges.

This course would be particularly beneficial for anyone whose TEEN participated in the programme aimed at young people however it is open to all parents of adoptive teens.

Topics include:
· Improving family relationships.
· Stop and Think – The key to solving problems.
· Listening, talking and resolving conflicts.
· Managing feeling down- Things I can do to help myself.
· Taking Charge – Developing helpful thinking strategies.
· Keeping Your Cool – Dealing with anger and conflict.
· Communicating Well – For building positive relationships.

The course will be tailored to the group so may not cover all topics.

Dates: Tuesdays January 14th, 21st, 28th, February 4th, 11th, 25th, 25th and March 4th
Time: 7.00-8.30pm
Venue: Holywood Youth Centre, BT18 9HW

How do I sign up?
Scan the QR code or click here to fill in the registration form.

Following registration, we will be in touch to confirm your place as places are limited.

QR Code for Working Things Out - PARENTS

10th July 202410th September 2024

Working Things Out – TEENS

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Working Things Out Programme in collaboration with Holywood Family Trust and Parent Plus. Aimed at helping young people focus on developing skills and techinques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing.

The Working Things Out programme aims to help young people build communication and conflict resolution skills in order to overcome mental health problems and to improve their relationships within their families, in school and in the community. The programme sessions are designed around a DVD containing personal stories of adolescents who have coped with challenging mental health issues such as, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, OCD, Self-harm and Suicide, as well as issues such as, Bullying, School Pressures, and Conflict with Parents. The stories offer advice on how to cope and what young people can do to help themselves.

Topics include:
· Getting Along with parents /carers – Improving family relationships.
· Stop and Think – The key to solving problems.
· Listening, talking and resolving conflicts.
· Managing feeling down- Things I can do to help myself.
· Taking Charge – Developing helpful thinking strategies.
· Keeping Your Cool – Dealing with anger and conflict.
· Communicating Well – For building positive relationships.

The course will be tailored to the group so may not cover all topics.

Working Things Out – Teen Programme

Dates: Tue 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd October, 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th November 2024
Venue: Holywood Youth Centre, BT18 9HW

How do I sign up?
Scan the QR code or CLICK HERE to fill in the registration form.