Category: Future Events

TEEN Group Programme based in Belfast

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.

With a Youth Club vibe, this course will offer fantastic opportunities to engage with peers, explore challenges and simply be themselves in a safe, supportive environment.

This programme is suitable for young people aged 13 – 18 years

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.

When: Tuesday 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th January, 10th, 17th and 24th February 2026

Time: 7.00-8.30pm

Where: Family Routes Office space, 18 Heron Road, Belfast BT3 9LE

Cost: £25 per family

Music wellbeing workshops based in Belfast 

TESSA in partnership with Neil Foster Music are providing Family Wellbeing sessions throughout November and January.

Participants do not need any musical ability. They will gain experience with a range of instruments and styles of music. The group leader will utilise music as a therapeutic tool to promote emotional healing, social interaction, and personal growth among participants.

Each session will be different so participants can sign up for one or two sessions, or all five.

Sessions open adoptive parents, adoptees and other children living in the household. All participants should be 6+

Dates: Thursday 8th, 15th and 22nd January 2026 *booking will close 2 weeks before each date *

Time: 5.30-7.30pm

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

Investment: £10 per family per session (£30 per family if booking for all 5 sessions)(non refundable) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

TEEN Group Programme based in Armagh

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce Stronger Every Day in collaboration with Sean Duffy Fitness.

This six week group programme will enable participants to engage in active ways to promote positive wellbeing but also have a bunch of fun in a safe, supportive and non judgmental space. The programme will be led by a highly experienced fitness and boxing coach Sean Duffy. The activities will highlight to participants the importance of the mind-body connection and will help to develop skills in communication, self regulation, resilience and teamwork.

This programme is funded by the Public Health Agency as part of the Clear Project.

Group open to adoptees and other children living within the household.

Dates: Friday 16th, 23rd and 30th of January, 6th, 20th and 27th February 2026

Time: 6:00-7:30pm

Venue: Orchard Leisure Centre Armagh

Age: 11-18 years old

Investment: £25 per family (non refundable) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

‘DRUM TIME’ Family Sessions based in Coleraine.

TESSA in partnership with Fun With Drums, are providing two Family Wellbeing sessions in January.

Participants do not need any musical ability. This will be a fun drumming workshop suitable for all the family.

Sessions open adoptive parents, adoptees and other children living in the household. All participants should be 6+

Session 1 Date: Saturday 17th January 2026

Time: 11.45am – 12.45pm

Venue: Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine BT52 1WT

Session 2 Date: Friday 30th January 2026

Time: 6.45-7.45pm

Venue: Sandel Centre, 6 Knocklynn Road, Coleraine BT52 1WT

Investment: £10 per family per session. Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

‘TAIKO DRUMMING & CREATIVE WORKSHOP’ Family Sessions based in Derry~Londonderry.

TESSA in partnership with Foyle Obon, are providing three Family Wellbeing sessions in the new year.

Participants do not need any musical ability. These will be fun drumming and creative workshops suitable for all the family.

Families can sign up for one, two or all three sessions.

Sessions open adoptive parents, adoptees and other children living in the household. All participants should be 7+

Dates:
Session 1: Saturday 17th January 2026

Session 2: Saturday 31st January 2026

Session 3: Saturday 14th February 2026

Time: 10am – 12pm

Venue: The Light Space, 1 Robinson Business Park (next to Stevenson’s Kitchens) Derry~Londonderry BT48 0AT

Investment: £10 per family per session. Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

Wellbeing workshops for Parents or for Adoptees aged 18+  based in Portadown & Armagh 

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to introduce a unique workshop to help you take a break, unwind, and get creative!

This relaxing, hands-on workshop is all about slowing down, having fun, and connecting through art and wellbeing.

We’ll start with a gentle relaxation to help everyone settle in, then dive into creative activities that are suitable for all abilities. There’s time for stories, chatting about your artwork, and enjoying the feel-good buzz of creating something together.

Why join in?

• Express feelings in fun, creative ways.
• Reduce stress and find your calm.
• Boost confidence and pride in what you make.
• Feel connected and supported as part of a caring group.
• Relax, create, and connect!

Who can come along?

This event is open to all adoptive parents and/or adult adoptees (18+)

We have two dates at different venues, participants can choose to attend one or both.

Workshop 1 – Armagh

When? Tuesday 13th January 10am – 1pm

Where? New Dawn Health & Wellbeing, No 8, Willowdean, Markethill, Armagh BT60 1QG

Cost? £10

Workshop 2 – Portadown

When? Tuesday 27th January 10am – 1pm

Where? Millenium Court, 5-7 William Street, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3NX

Cost? £10

Wellbeing workshops for Parents or for Adoptees aged 18+  based in Portadown & Armagh 

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to introduce a unique workshop to help you take a break, unwind, and get creative!

This relaxing, hands-on workshop is all about slowing down, having fun, and connecting through art and wellbeing.

We’ll start with a gentle relaxation to help everyone settle in, then dive into creative activities that are suitable for all abilities. There’s time for stories, chatting about your artwork, and enjoying the feel-good buzz of creating something together.

Why join in?

• Express feelings in fun, creative ways.
• Reduce stress and find your calm.
• Boost confidence and pride in what you make.
• Feel connected and supported as part of a caring group.
• Relax, create, and connect!

Who can come along?

This event is open to all adoptive parents and/or adult adoptees (18+)

We have two dates at different venues, participants can choose to attend one or both.

Workshop 1 – Armagh

When? Tuesday 13th January 10am – 1pm

Where? New Dawn Health & Wellbeing, No 8, Willowdean, Markethill, Armagh BT60 1QG

Cost? £10

Workshop 2 – Portadown

When? Tuesday 27th January 10am – 1pm

Where? Millenium Court, 5-7 William Street, Portadown, Craigavon BT62 3NX

Cost? £10

Parent Wellbeing Workshop

Facilitated by Siobhan Wilson-McGlinchey Creative Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor

Mindfulness & Your Nervous System is a program designed to help you slow down, reconnect and integrate mind and body while learning practical ways to regulate the autonomic nervous system. By regulating your own nervous system, this will ensure you are in a much better position to support your child with their own regulation.

There is no doubt that a mindfulness practice can enhance our overall mental health and wellbeing, it has been scientifically proven, but have you ever wondered as to why you may struggle to meditate or sustain a mindfulness practice?

For healing to take place we need to let the autonomic nervous system know it’s safe and ok. For some people relaxation, stillness, and activation of the senses can be a cue of danger to their Nervous System and for others it can be a cue of safety to their Nervous System.

To find out more on how to integrate a mindfulness practice into your every day life, Join Siobhan for an in-person session where she will guide you through mindfulness practices that help you tune into your body’s signals, support emotional regulation, build capacity for day-to-day stressors, and cultivate a greater sense of balance and flow.

This program is suitable for anyone curious about the relationship between mindfulness and the nervous system, whether new to the practice or looking to deepen their understanding.

Date: Tuesday 27th January 2026

Time: 10am – 1pm

Venue: Roe Valley Therapy Centre, 101A Irish Green Street, Limavady BT49 9AA

Cost: £10

For Parents and Young People Aged 7-12

TESSA in partnership with Lizzie Devlin, Art Therapist, is delighted to deliver two family wellbeing events.

These are supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project.

Creativity is one of the greatest forms of hope, and is an avenue to profound discovery and recovery during the hard times in life.

These workshops will provide opportunities to explore self esteem, confidence and connection through a range of creative activities.

The morning session will be see parents and children working separately then coming together in the afternoon session.

The workshop is open to Adoptive parents and children living within their household. This includes birth or foster children.

Workshop 1 – Parents and young people aged 7-12

Date: Saturday 17th January 2026

Time: 11am – 2.30pm

Venue : Merville House, Merville Gardens, Garden village, Newtownabbey

*Tea & Coffee will be provided however participants should bring a packed lunch

For Parents and Teens Aged 13+

TESSA in partnership with Lizzie Devlin, Art Therapist, is delighted to deliver two family wellbeing events. 

These are supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project. 

Creativity is one of the greatest forms of hope, and is an avenue to profound discovery and recovery during the hard times in life. 

These workshops will provide opportunities to explore self esteem, confidence and connection through a range of creative activities. 

The morning session will be see parents and children working separately then coming together in the afternoon session.  

The workshop is open to Adoptive parents and children living within their household.  This includes birth or foster children. 

Workshop 2 – Parents and TEENS aged 13+

Date: Saturday 21st February 2026

Time: 11am – 2.30pm

Venue: Merville House, Merville Gardens, Garden Village, Newtownabbey

*Tea & Coffee will be provided however participants should bring a packed lunch

Investment: £20 per family (non refundable) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.