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*
Wellbeing and personal development for teens Dates in September and October 2025
Please find details and booking link below for our TEENS Wellbeing & Personal Development Programme. It is open to Adopted TEENS aged 12-18 and birth siblings within the household who are also in this age range.
Course Description 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. Participants will be encouraged to connect with each other, build upon their social and emotional skills whilst making friends along the way.
Venue: Learning in Harmony with Donkeys 72 Station Rd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch BT24 7EN
Day & Time: Wednesday 4.30-6.30pm
Dates: 10th, 17th and 24th September, 1st, 8th and 15th October Priority will be given to participants who are able to attend all/most sessions
Cost: Investment: £25 per participant (non refundable)
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to announce the Heads Up Programme in collaboration with Include Youth and Our Generation. It is aimed at helping young people focus on developing skills and techinques to boost their emotional health and wellbeing.
Venue : Include Youth, 100 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LU
Session dates: Monday & Tuesday 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th August 2025
Who is it for: This programme is suitable for young people aged 13 – 21 years and is open to adopted young people and siblings who are birth children within the household.
Course Description: The Heads Up programme will include interactive sessions exploring wellbeing, resilience, identity and personal development. The final session will include a trip to the Odyssey for a bowling celebration event.
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.
TESSA and Family Routes are excited to celebrate the work of the TESSA teens Project, sharing experiences from the past 2 years and celebrating together as a group of Teens and families.
Who can come along? This event is for anyone with Teens who have benefitted from either 1-1 therapeutic work with TESSA or been a part of our Teen Emotional Health and Wellbeing groups (EFL, Photography, Art, Music, Drumming, Climbing). Also if you were unable to access these services or are new to TESSA but have teens and are keen to hear about the project please sign up.
Younger siblings are welcome along, Moira Lakes activities are suitable for those aged 5 and over while everyone can avail of the Donkey and Art activities as well as pizza party and treasure hunt.
What can you do?
Enjoy the activities on offer from Moira Lakes- Stand Up Paddle boarding, Archery, and Swimming. (All wet gear will be provided)
Access therapeutic options from TESSA therapists and Facilitators – EFL(Learning in Harmony with Donkeys) and Art Therapy
Explore the treasure hunt around the Lake
Enjoy some Pizza
Hear about the project and give their own feedback which will help shape the support provided by TESSA in the future
Connect with other families with shared experiences
When? Saturday 7th Sept 11am-3pm
Where? @ Moira Lakes, 32b Old Church Lane, Aghalee, Craigavon BT67 0EY
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.
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.
