As we approach the festive period, and the sparkly lights emerge, we ask you to keep in mind those who may be struggling this time of year.
If you would like to make a Christmas donation to the work that TESSA and TESSA Teens do, please use the PayPal link below. Any donations can be made as a one-off payment, or as a monthly recurring donation.
Always with our gratitude,
TESSA
Scan the QR Code of follow the link Donate (paypal.com)
Brona kindly hosted a coffee morning and split the raised funds between TESSA and another adoption support group who aim to bring together Thai children who have been adopted and currently live in NI. Brona paid us a visit and we couldn’t miss a photo opportunity! Pictured above is Brona, with our project manager, Roxanne Small.
Donations made to the TESSA project are used to enhance and continue delivering our therapeutic services for adopted families in Northern Ireland. Every penny of Brona’s donation will be used for the TESSA project alone. As a charity funded project donations like Brona’s mean the world to us.
THANK YOU BRONA, we are very proud to have been chosen to receive these funds by you.
TESSA Teens – Self-Care Art – Online
A small group, self-care art therapy course that will allow adopted teens to explore and express their inner thoughts and feelings, without needing the use of words.
Self-Care Art Therapy Course will be led by our experienced art therapist Oonagh Campbell.
Location – Online ( please ensure you have good internet connection and video and mic are both on)
Dates – Tuesday 27th September and Tuesday 4th, 11th & 18th October 2022
Times – 6pm-8pm
All art supplies will be sent to your home address.
Due to the nature of this group only 4 spaces available, early booking is advised.
To book your space or further details please contact the office.
Improving mental health and well-being, building resilience, exploring creative and engaging photography activates learning new skills in photography, exploring identity and expression through the lens.
We’ll help you capture the best moments.
Location – Belfast Exposed, 23 Donegall Street, BT1 2FF
Dates – Thursday 8th, 15th, 22nd & 29th September and Thursday 6th & 13th October 2022
Time – 4pm-6pm
Due to the nature of this group only 6 spaces available, early booking is advised.
To book your space or further details please contact the office.
On Saturday 26th March, 2022, TESSA Project Coordinator, Roxanne Small, Family Routes Board Member, Oliver Johnston, and Family Routes administrator, Marie Walker, met with the Health Minister for Northern Ireland, Robin Swann, to be presented with an award of funding from the Department of Health’s Mental Health Fund.
We are delighted to announce that we have been approached by Action Trauma to become an associate partner of their recently launched Trauma Network for Northern Ireland.
Action Trauma are known for hosting the world-famous annual Belfast Trauma Summit and the Young Hearts and Minds conference. This year TESSA attended the Young Hearts and Mind conference, as not only a delegate but as an exhibitor too. It was a much welcomed and very enjoyable two days that allowed us to re-connect in ‘real-life’ and through a shared interest.
We look forward to watching the new Trauma Network grow and are excited to evolve alongside it.
We have added ourselves to PayPal giving to allow our supporters to easily make monthly or one-off donations.
Every penny raised will go back into the TESSA service and will help to secure our therapeutic support for families who have adopted today, tomorrow and in the future.
You can scan the QR code which will take you to our Paypal page or follow this simple link:-
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6CQYAJS8AX6XN
“Why are so many adopted children verbally or physically aggressive? What are they communicating through their behavior? 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 six-week programme for parents of adopted children to explore these frequently asked questions. This programme has traditionally been delivered in person. However, we are now ready to pilot this programme online. It will be similar to the in-person content with some alterations to make it more enjoyable whilst being online. Sessions will likely be on a Monday, for a series of six weeks for two hours per session. There will also be some home learning and reflection activities throughout the week.
Online Programme – Wednesday 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th November and Wednesday 1st & 8th December from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
In Person – Monday 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th November and Monday 6th & 13th December from 10:30am-12:30pm, in the TESSA Office Belfast.
This short, mindfulness course is open to anyone who wishes to experience more calm in their lives. Mindfulness encourages a greater sense awareness and nurtures a feeling of kindness and understanding towards oneself and the world around us.
These sessions will be delivered by Niamh Houghton, Mindful Kids Belfast. Niamh will introduce children and parents to various mindfulness practices including mindful breathing, mindful eating and the gratitude practice. The sessions will be led in a way that is gentle and child centered. They will offer an opportunity for parent and child to enjoy some peaceful time together while also learning a very valuable life skill.
Wednesday 13th, 20th, 27th October and Wednesday 3rd & 10th November from 7pm-7.30pm
Booking strictly limited to five families
TESSA
Family Routes
Ground Floor
Unit 2
18 Heron Road
Belfast
BT3 9LE
T: 028 9046 9211
TEXT: 07484054774
E: tessa@familyroutes.co.uk
Family Routes Charity No: 101826 Company No: NI24153
