ACC Sensitive Claims Programmes
KŌWHAI GROVE
Name: Kōwhai Grove
Type: Trauma-responsive therapy, group therapy, outdoor therapy, nature therapy.
Suitable for: Clients of ACC’s Sensitive Claims Service, working with a Lead Provider, with a ‘Support to Wellbeing’ plan in place.
Focus: Healing, wellbeing, calm, connection, self-awareness, self-compassion, growth.
Activities: Gentle outdoor activities like walking, sitting, talking, nature connection, creative expression, swimming/paddling in water, gardening/tree planting, orienteering, being present. Plus group activities, facilitated conversations and space for quiet reflection.
Group size: Small group (max 9)
Frequency: Day programme (one day a week for 8 weeks)
Location: Currently Christchurch only. Please register your interest (below) to be informed if/when we start running the programme in Auckland.
Dates: See webpage (link below)
MĀNUKA TRAIL
Name: Mānuka Trail
Type: Trauma-responsive therapy, group therapy, outdoor therapy, nature therapy.
Suitable for: Children who are inside ACC’s Sensitive Claims Service, working with a Lead Provider, with a ‘Support to Wellbeing’ plan in place.
Focus: Child-led play, exploration, healing, wellbeing, connection.
Activities: Child-led play and exploration including hut building, outdoor cooking, fire lighting (if safe to do so in the location/season), sensory experiences (like making mud pies, insect hunting, swinging in a hammock), creative tasks (weaving, charcoal drawing), etc.
Group size: Small group (max 8)
Frequency: One morning a week (a 2.5 hour session) for 8 weeks.
Location: Currently Christchurch only. Please register your interest (below) to be informed if/when we start running the programme in Auckland.
Dates: See webpage (link below)
REVIVE
Name: Revive
Type: Trauma-responsive therapy, group therapy, outdoor therapy, nature therapy.
Suitable for: Clients of ACC’s Sensitive Claims Service, working with a Lead Provider, with a ‘Support to Wellbeing’ plan in place.
Activities: Beginner-friendly outdoor adventure activities like bush walking, kayaking, rock climbing, biking, etc. All gear is provided. Plus group activities, facilitated discussions, and space for quiet reflection.
Focus: Healing, wellbeing, calm, connection, self-awareness, self-compassion, growth.
Group size: Small group (max 9)
Frequency: Day programme (one day a week for 8 weeks)
Location: Auckland and Christchurch.
Dates: See webpage (link below)
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
A Focus on Wellbeing
At Adventure Specialties Trust, all of our programmes focus on hauora/wellbeing.
We define wellbeing as a holistic state where we can thrive physically, mentally, socially, spiritually and in relation to the land and the natural environment. It's about having the energy to engage full in life, with the mindset to navigate challenges and celebrate successes. We have strong connections with others, a clear sense of identity and purpose, and a deep relationship with nature.
Wellbeing is the foundation for living a meaningful and balanced life.
Wellbeing Framework
When we are designing our programmes, we use a wellbeing framework based on Te Whare Tapa Whā (the house with four walls).
Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori model of holistic health developed by Sir Mason Durie, a renowned psychiatrist, professor of Māori Studies and advocate of Māori hauora/wellbeing.
Each of the four walls of Te Whare Tapa Whā (described below) is an important part of hauora/wellbeing. At Adventure Specialties Trust, we weave these wellbeing 'walls' into our programmes in a variety of ways.
TE WHARE TAPA WHĀ
TAHA TINANA / Physical Wellbeing
Our Taha Tinana allows us to feel healthy, energetic, motivated, and physically capable of pursuing activities that bring joy, connection, and satisfaction to our days.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Outdoor activities challenge and strengthen our bodies, promoting fitness, resilience and confidence. Physical movement, especially outdoors in nature, supports overall health, wellbeing and energy levels.
TAHA WHĀNAU / Social Wellbeing
Taha Whānau is about feeling a sense of belonging, connection and confidence in our relationships with others. It includes a belief that people can be kind, trustworthy and safe, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Adventure builds teamwork, trust and belonging. Shared challenges strengthen relationships and provide a supportive space for growth, healing and connection.
TAHA HINENGARO / Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
Our Taha Hinengaro allows us to feel balanced, hopeful, and positive about the future, with the capacity to navigate life’s challenges and celebrate its joys while nurturing a sense of self-compassion and self-worth.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Time in nature reduces stress and enhances mental clarity, emotional resilience and self-awareness. Adventure activities encourage participants to challenge themselves which helps them develop courage and self-confidence.
TAHA WAIRUA / Spiritual Wellbeing
Taha Wairua is about feeling a strong sense of self, identity, and connection to our faith, beliefs, culture, values, and purpose. It provides a foundation of meaning and direction.
HOW THIS LOOKS IN THE OUTDOORS:
Being outdoors in nature fosters a sense of wonder, connection and purpose. Outdoor experiences deepen spiritual awareness, whether through faith, nature or personal reflection.
TE WHENUA / The Land
Te Whenua is the foundation of Te Whare Tapa Whā. Connection to Te Whenua is about a sense of belonging in te taiao, the natural world, and drawing on that connection to support our wellbeing. It includes experiencing awe and wonder in natural spaces, fostering a sense of responsibility to protect and care for the Earth.
Programme Outcomes
How do we know if we have had a positive impact on our participants?
At the end of our programmes, we ask participants to fill in an 'Outcomes Evaluation' form, so that we can measure the impact of our programme on their hauora/wellbeing. At the end of each year, we analyse the results to see where participants have experienced personal growth, and where we can improve our services to support them better.
Read our annual Impact reports to see the stats and read about the positive impact that our programmes have on the participants.
CONTACT US
JOIN US ON AN ADVENTURE!
If you have any questions about any of our ACC Sensitive Claims Service (SCS) programmes, please visit the relevant webpage for more info. If you still have questions, please contact our Clinical Lead:
Anneke Beardsley
office@adventurespecialties.co.nz (att: Anneke)
Cell: 027 379 3057
Christchurch office: (03) 348 4547
FOLLOW OUR ADVENTURES
Every week, we share stories and photos and videos from our recent outdoor adventure/wellbeing programmes, as well as advertise upcoming programmes, job vacancies and internship opportunities. Sign up to our newsletter (at the bottom of this page) or follow us on social media:
“Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hope springing high,
Still I will rise.”
—Maya Angelou, And Still I Rise: A Book of Poems