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Category: Past Events

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Creative Connections

Creative Connections

TESSA and Family Routes are excited to introduce a unique family event to help parents and teens get on the same wave length!

Take a break, unwind, and get creative together!

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.

Relax, create, and connect — the perfect mix for parents and teens to feel closer and happier!

Who can come along?
This event is open to all adoptive parents with their teens aged 12+

When?
Saturday 15th November 2025 10am – 1pm

Where?
Apex Music Centre, 2C Park Avenue, Cookstown BT80 8AH

Cost? £10 per family.

For more details and to register
CLICK HERE

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Creative Art – Teens Programme

Creative Art

TESSA in partnership with Kokoro Art Therapy are providing an Art Wellbeing Group for young people aged 12-17 years old.

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

Group open to adoptees and those living within adoptive families.

Dates:
Friday 10th, 17th & 24th October, 7th, 14th & 21st November

Time:
7.00-8.30pm

Venue:
Merville House, Merville Garden Village, Newtownabbey, BT37 9TH

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

For more details and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds 7-11 years

Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds

TESSA is pleased to announce the first ACORNS Sports Wellbeing group for 7-11 year olds.

This six week group programme will enable participants to experience a range of sporting activities in a safe, supportive and non judgmental space. The programme will be led by a highly experienced sports coach and Alex Mosley, qualified Counsellor and TESSA Support Officer. 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:
15th and 22nd October. 5, 12 ,19 and 26th Nov and 3rd Dec 2025.

Time:
6:30-8:00pm

Venue:
BELFAST BOYS MODEL SCHOOL, Ballysillan Road, Belfast, BT14 6RB

Age:
7-11 years old

**This programme will hopefully continue from 7th Jan 2026 under a new funding stream.

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

For more details and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Sensory Processing Support – Parent Workshop

Sensory Processing Support

TESSA is pleased to be able to offer this workshop for parents of adopted young people.
Sensory Processing, Social, Emotional and Cognitive Intelligence awareness Training. This workshop is funded by the PHA through the Clear Project

Topics
Children today are presenting with a lot more emotional, social and cognitive challenges. Social and emotional intelligence underpins the body’s ability to self-regulate, to become calm and to manage and express emotions.

This workshop will have an element of practical activity within it and will develop the following outcomes:

  • You will understand the complexity of sensory development and how the sensory system controls all
    aspects of our function including emotional, social, and motor
  • You will understand connection and attachment and the implication of retained early reflexes and
    how traumatised children cannot regulate their fear response
  • You will fully appreciate the implications of developmental trauma: – sensory development,
    dissociation, attachment development, emotional regulation, self-esteem, lack of identity and
    cognitive development
  • You will understand and identify the behaviour that indicates sensory over responsiveness and
    sensory under responsiveness within the home
  • You will gain insight of triggers for engaging in fight/flight or dysregulation
  • We will understand how to support regulation
  • You will discover breathing techniques and using YOGA to enable a child to coregulate, feel safe and
    grounded

Date:
Thursday 20th November 2025

Venue:
Vibe NI, 1 Barack St, Armagh, BT60 1AD

Time:
10am – 2pm

Investment:
£10 per participant (non refundable within 2 weeks of the start of the programme) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

For more details and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Family Wellbeing Day

TESSA family wellbeing event Sept 2025


Adoptive Family Event – South Eastern Area
Saturday 13th September 2025


An opportunity to come together with other adoptive families, build connections, meet some of the TESSA Team and find out about the upcoming programme of events. 

When?
Saturday 13th September 9.45am – 1pm

Where?
@ Strangford Lough Activity Centre, Sketrick Island, Killinchy

Booking Cost?
£20 per family – (non refundable) Payment to be made via BACS transfer upon confirmation of places

Further details and booking form below.

For more details and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Back to Nature 7-11 years

Back to Nature -7-11s


Nature-based play therapy group – Bangor
Monthly Saturday morning sessions starting 27th September 2025

Course Description
Nature-based Play Therapy is an intervention which assist children’s attachment to Mother Earth, and enhances attachment to self and others. With support from an experienced Play Therapist specialising in Outdoor group work your child will be encouraged to explore emotional safety and personal freedom. 

Venue
Quarries Community Farm, Bangor

Day
Monthly Saturday morning sessions

Time
11am – 1pm

Dates
Sept 27th
Oct 25th
Nov 15th
Dec 6th
Jan 10th
Sunday Feb 15th ( Final Session information will be released closer to the time, this will be a Family session)

Priority will be given to participants who are able to attend all/most sessions

TESSA will retain a waiting list to offer one off sessions where places become available.
Investment: £25 per participant (non refundable within 2 weeks of the start of the programme). Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place.

For full description and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Learning Through Horses – Teens Programme

Learning Through Horses - Teens Course

TESSA in partnership with Crindle Stables are providing a Equine Facilitated Learning Group for young people aged 12 – 18 year old. This programme is funded by the Kingsbridge Foundation.

Participants will be given opportunities to develop confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, and communication skills through positive interaction with horses. Each week blends therapy-based activities with horsemanship learning, fostering both personal growth and practical equine knowledge.

Dates
Monday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th October, and 3rd, 10th November 2025 * There will also be x 3 monthly sessions scheduled to take place Dec – Feb dates TBC*

Time
6:15-8:15pm

Venue
Crindle Stables, 6 Carrowclare Road, Limavady, BT49 9ED

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

For full information and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Pony Pathfinders 7 – 11 years

Pony Pathfinders

TESSA, in partnership with Crindle Stables are providing a Equine Facilitated Learning Group for children aged 7 – 11 year old. This course is supported by the Public Health Agency through the Clear Project.

The Pony Pathfinders 6-week programme is designed for children aged 7–11 to develop confidence, emotional regulation, resilience, and communication skills through positive interaction with horses.Each week blends therapy-based activities with horsemanship learning, fostering both personal growth and practical equine knowledge.

Dates
Monday 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th October, and 3rd, 10th November 2025

Time
4-6pm

Venue
Crindle Stables, 6 Carrowclare Road, Limavady, BT49 9ED

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

For full information and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Love and Rage ONLINE parenting course

Love and Rage Online 25

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 six-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.

Please fill in the form at the link below to sign up to the next course:

Dates
Tuesday – 7th, 14th, 21st October and then Tuesday 4th, 11th and 18th of November

Venue
Online

Time
6.30-8.30pm

Investment: £60 per participant (equates to £10 per session) Fee must be paid via Bank Transfer upon offer of place. Fee is non refundable if place cancelled within 2 weeks of start date.

For full information and to register:
CLICK HERE

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Surfing the Waves – Parent Workshop

Surfing the Waves for parents


Tuesday 18th November, 10am – 4pm, Coleraine


Parenting a teen can feel overwhelming at times, especially when it feels like you’re facing emotional rollercoasters, behavioural changes, and endless challenges with communication.

If you’ve been wondering how to better connect with and support your teen, you’re not alone!

Surfing The Waves, a programme facilitated by The Creative Psychotherapist, Siobhan Wilson-McGlinchey, designed to help parents, carers and professionals navigate the ups and downs of adolescence.

This programme is perfect for you if you’re:

  • struggling to understand your teen’s behaviour;
  • feel disconnected or unsure how to communicate effectively;
  • are worried about mental health, peer pressure, or social media influence.

Date
Tuesday 18th November

Time
10am – 4pm

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

Cost
£10 per participant (non refundable)

For full workshop information and to register:
CLICK HERE