Inspire (Christchurch)
Adventure Therapy day programme for Young Women (age 14-18)
Do you want to build the confidence to try new things? Do you want to feel more comfortable with other people in a group setting? Want to learn better ways to cope with stress and anxiety? Are you wanting to feel better about yourself and more hopeful about your future?
Our Inspire programme might be for you!
Or keep reading to find out more …
Here’s what other Inspire participants have said:
“Met some wonderful people and learnt their healthy habits when it comes to mental health.”
“Made me feel I can do anything I put my mind to.”
“I have gained more of a positive and confident mindset.”
“[I learned] to push myself to talk and connect with others more.”
Programme Details
WHAT DOES AN INSPIRE PROGRAMME LOOK LIKE?
A group of 6-8 young women meeting together to go on a different adventurous activity, one day each week (9am – 3pm) over a period of eight weeks during the school term.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR?
Young women aged 14-18
WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL WE DO?
The activities will be in different locations near Christchurch.
They could include sea kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, walking, surf kayaking, high ropes, canyoning, caving or mountain biking.
Each activity has ‘easier’ and ‘harder’ options available. Challenge is definitely a part of our programme, and each activity or environment will challenge everyone in a different way. Challenge can be good for us! It is really important to us that you choose your level of challenge. For some, this will mean not going very high on a climb, or very hard on the surf kayaking and would rather enjoy the nature. That is ok, and we will make practicable efforts to allow as much choice in this as possible. We always try to make choices available and make it really clear where choices are not practically possible. (See the “Challenge By Choice” section below for more details about this).
WHAT IS THE KAUPAPA / PURPOSE?
We try to facilitate this programme as an opportunity for you to improve your wellbeing and we try to tailor it as much as we can to meet your individual goals.
Our general goals are working towards: increased self-worth, a better toolkit for maintaining your personal hauora (health and wellbeing), stronger connections with others, a greater hope for a future with purpose, and a stronger connection with who you are, your values and your taha wairua (spiritual side).
WHO LEADS THE PROGRAMME?
Our two wonderful, highly experienced facilitators are Anneke and April.
Anneke is a qualified therapist and mental health professional who has 15+ years experience working with young people and families.
April is a qualified outdoor instructor with a passion for empowering young women.
Read more about April and Anneke on the Meet The Team page.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE PROGRAMME?
Here is a rough timetable:
9am
- April and Anneke will meet the group each Wednesday morning at Adventure Specialties Trust (71 Bamford Street, Woolston)
- Group circle up and ‘check in’
- Discuss and decide the plan for the day together
- Discuss the theme or thought for the day
- The group will travel together in the Adventure Specialties van to the activity
- Head out on the adventure!
12:30 ish
- Lunch will be provided
- Some time to relax and reflect in nature
- Re-group, optional sharing time
- Continue on adventure
2:30pm
- Arrive back at the Adventure Specialties Trust office
- Touch base about the plan for the next week
- Finish 3pm
- You will also receive a letter each week via email from the facilitators as a reminder of what we did that day and the conversations that were had.
DATES
Term 3, 2023
Fridays
9am – 3pm
From 28th July – 15th September 2023
It is our hope that people will be able to come for the full eight weeks, however this can be flexible if required.
COST
This term (July – September 2023), the Inspire programme is fully funded by Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, so it is FREE!
LOCATION
The group will meet at the Adventure Specialties Trust office at 71 Bamford St, Woolston, and travel to the activity location together in our van
Note: Enter Bamford St from Jubilee Street
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING?
The facilitators will let you know if you need to bring anything, but all specialist equipment (like kayaks, PFD/life jackets, abseiling equipment, etc.) is provided
Food is also provided
HOW FIT DO I NEED TO BE?
You don’t have to be super fit but you do need to have an average level of fitness (for example, being able to walk 1km within 25 minutes)
You need to be medically able to participate in the activities. It is important to us that you have a state of physical and mental health that allows for safe participation in this programme. This will allow our facilitators to choose appropriate activities for the group and support individuals accordingly
I’M KEEN! HOW DO I APPLY?
Anyone keen to attend will need to complete an enrolment form and a medical/consent form.
Please contact Amy, the programme co-ordinator, and she can chat with you about what happens next.
Email office@adventurespecialties.co.nz (attention: Amy) or call the Christchurch office (03) 348 4547.
OUR APPROACH
STRENGTHS-BASED THERAPY
Our conversations and facilitated discussion in our Adventure Therapy programmes are guided by the ‘Solution Focussed’ and ‘Strengths Based’ model of therapy.
Contrary to what the name suggests this is not about the facilitators offering ‘solutions’. It is more about a model of thinking that is more forward focussed – on where you want to go and the skills and strengths you have to get you there.
We don’t go delving into people’s deep personal past or analysing problems. We focus on movement towards your goals, whatever those might be.
YOU KNOW YOURSELF BEST
It is important for us to acknowledge that any person knows themselves, their situations and their challenges the best.
We honour that and facilitate conversations and opportunities rather than telling people what to do. We do not presume to be experts or have the answers to any problems. We are not there to assess, diagnose or prescribe solutions. We are simply here to facilitate an experience where you can connect with nature, with yourself and others, reflect on your life and experiences with the goals of moving towards your own goals.
CHALLENGE BY CHOICE
Challenge is definitely a part of our programme, and each activity or environment will challenge everyone in a different way.
Challenge can be good for us!
Though the same challenge is not for everyone, at all times.
It is really important to us that you choose your level of challenge. For some, this will mean not going very high on a climb, or very hard on the surf kayaking and would rather enjoy the nature. That is ok, and we will make practicable efforts to allow as much choice in this as possible.
We always try to make choices available and make it really clear where choices are not practically possible.
CONNECTION WITH NATURE
This programme is an opportunity to take more time in the day to connect with nature rather than just move through it.
On a daily basis we will go to a different environment and do an activity there. Most of the time this will be an adventurous activity, however, we may also do some activities specifically to connect with nature – maybe a mindfulness walk, or doing some art pieces/ sculptures with nature, or any other ways of connecting in a relationship with nature.
SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT
First and foremost it is a priority that that this group is a safe and supportive environment for all people.
Obviously in outdoor activities the physical safety is important! We have qualified instructors and a safety management system that is audited and registered with Worksafe NZ, and we need people to follow our safety rules.
It also means emotional safety – this means we take time to build a culture where sharing is ok and encouraged by others. Where respect is really important and intentionally built upon on the group.
It is also safety to be yourself no matter what culture, gender, sexuality, profession, age or personality you have. We aim to build a group environment where everyone is safe and supported on their journey of wellbeing.
COME JOIN US!
Get in touch with Amy, our Adventure Therapy co-ordinator in Christchurch. She can answer any questions that you might have and give you information about how to apply:
Amy
office@adventurespecialties.co.nz (attention: Amy)
CHECK OUT OUR ADVENTURES
Every week, we share stories and photos and videos from our recent Adventure Therapy programmes.
Check them out on our Latest News blog or our social pages:
“It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.”
—Michelle Obama, Becoming