REVIVE (Christchurch)
AN ADVENTURE THERAPY DAY PROGRAMME FOR ACC ISSC CLIENTS IN ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH
Are you wanting to develop confidence in new places with new people? Rediscover your strengths and reconnect with your body? Laugh, have fun, feel alive?
Adventure Specialties Trust and Visser and Associates are offering a Trauma-Responsive Adventure Therapy Programme for ACC’s ISSC clients based in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Basically – it’s spending time outside, doing an adventurous activity and reflection/group discussion time with a focus on wellbeing.
If this sounds good to you, consider joining our REVIVE programme…
What do our previous participants have to say?
“Getting out and enjoying nature and the company of others.”
“A chance to better understand myself and others.”
“Amazing – it was incredible. I learned so much about myself. I grew so much. I discovered a couple of new passions that I didn’t know I have.”
“[The instructors] took you at your level. Do you know what I mean? They didn’t push you. There were a few things I couldn’t do. They knew I attempted it, but they didn’t push you. If you went in sad, they understood. You know, if you wanted to talk to them, you could. It was just like a lot of encouragement.”
“The whole course was amazing and life-changing but a lot of hard work too.”
“It gave me the courage really to make changes in terms of my recovery and what I’m needing and to make sure they’re in place for me. Whereas I think prior, I would have just kept doing the same thing.”
“The connection to nature, I definitely really enjoyed too. And more spiritual, I suppose. And that connection to nature, I feel that through my whakapapa. So, yeah, absolutely, it was just nice to be able to affirm that.”
“Possibly the biggest change is that I have this feeling of hope that I didn’t have before.”
“Absolutely – it’s pushed me to the next stage of where I’m going – the core stuff. I’m grateful for that.”
“I really needed this. I guess you could say it’s life-changing. It’s not new, but it is new. It’s confirmation that I’m on the right path. It’s awesome that ACC are funding this. It’s so much better than the experience I have had with health insurance.”
“It was everything I hoped it would be and more. So perspective-changing.”
QUICK FACTS
Who?
For people who are clients of ACC’s Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims (ISSC).
What?
A day programme, meeting one day a week for 8 weeks.
We go on a local adventure (like kayaking, rock climbing, hiking or mountain biking) and include group therapy activities, like facilitated group discussions, team activities, space for personal reflection, and spending time in nature with its proven therapeutic benefits.
Where?
Different locations in/around Ōtautahi Christchurch (transport provided from our Woolston office).
When?
One day a week for 8 weeks, during the school term.
See specific dates below.
Apply:
By emailing Amy (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz attention: Amy).
More info:
Keep reading!
UPCOMING PROGRAMMES: 2024
TERM 1:
Mixed/all gender (Tuesdays, 13th Feb – 2nd April 2024)
TERM 2:
Young women (Tuesdays, 7th May – 25th June 2024)
Women’s group (Thursdays, 9th May – 27th June 2024)
TERM 3:
Women’s group (Tuesdays, 30th July – 17th September 2024)
Men’s group (Thursdays, 1st August – 19th Septebmer 2024)
TERM 4:
Women’s group (Tuesdays, 22nd October – 2nd December 2024)
COME ON AN ADVENTURE WITH US!
GOALS / KAUPAPA / PURPOSE
- To support individuals in a journey of restoring wellbeing after trauma,
- To help you feel hopeful and positive about the steps you can take towards living a full life,
- To find ways to reduce the symptoms and challenges that come with PTSD,
- To enjoy being in nature through activities and experiences in Ōtautahi Christchurch,
- (these will be active and will range in their level of challenge),
- To discuss aspects of life and wellbeing in an open, safe and supportive environment,
- To connect with others in the group.
PRACTICAL DETAILS / WHO IS THIS FOR / WHAT TO EXPECT
WHO IS THIS FOR?
A group of eight people (the same gender as you) meeting together to go on a different gentle adventurous activity each Tuesday over eight weeks. The activities will be in different locations near Christchurch. The
activities could include sea kayaking, rock climbing, bush walking, surfing, high ropes, or mountain biking. Each activity has easier and harder challenges available. All specialist equipment and lunch is provided. Transport is optional – grab a ride with us from our office, or meet us there!
The two facilitators will bring the group together at the start and end of each day. There will be chance to connect with each other and also discuss a thought or theme each day that the
facilitators will prepare.
DATES
Revive For Women – Tuesdays – 25th July to 12th September 2023
Revive For Men – Tuesdays – 17th October – 5th December 2023
WHAT TO EXPECT EACH DAY
LOCATION:
We will meet at the Adventure Specialties Trust office
71 Bamford Street, Woolston
OUR STAFF
You will be in safe hands with our wonderful crew of caring, highly experienced staff.
The programme will be staffed by:
- Amy Horn is a highly experienced outdoor instructor and also a qualified counsellor
- Anneke is a mental health professional with a Masters in Social Work and over 15 years experience working with young people and families.
Read more about Amy and Anneke on the Our Team webpage.
We offer a maximum staffing ratio of 1:4
OUR APPROACH
WE FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS
Our conversations and facilitated discussion in this programme are guided by the model of ‘Solution-Focused Brief 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 focused – 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 that might be.
GROUP VS INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS
This service is designed as a group programme, however there will also be some individual support.
You will meet individually with one of our facilitators prior to starting the programme to get to know each other, we can understand your hopes and goals for the programme, and you can ask any questions you have about the programme.
We aim to work collaboratively with your Lead Provider, so that together we can ensure that this programme is helpful for you.
CHALLENGE BY CHOICE
Gentle challenge is definitely a part of our programme, and each activity or environment will challenge
everyone in a different way.
Our activities are designed to remind you that you have choices, allow you to make a choice that is right for you, tolerate the emotions that come with this, and regain some confidence in your body. For some, this will mean not going very high on a climb, or very far on your bike, and you would rather enjoy the nature. That is okay, 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.
A FOCUS ON NATURE CONNECTION
This programme is an opportunity to take more time in the day to connect with nature rather than just move through it. We look for opportunities to experience joy, awe, wonder, and curiosity about our world and our place in it.
On a daily basis we will go to a different environment and do an activity there. 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.
‘Safe’ 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 also means the safety to be yourself no matter which culture, gender, sexuality, profession, age or personality you have.
We put significant time and energy into building a group environment with healthy dynamics and healthy relationships.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about any part of our approach, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Amy, the programme co-ordinator (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz, attention: Amy)
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
It is envisaged that, as a result of participating in this programme, participants will develop:
SELF WORTH
You are worthy. Develop better familiarity of your inbuilt character strengths and a knowledge of your inherent worth.
Build a toolkit for practicing self-acceptance and self-compassion, and the ability to recognise the value that you add to your whanau, your friends and your community.
TOOLS FOR HAUORA (HEALTH OR WELLNESS)
Develop better strategies to navigate through difficult times and better resilience (the ability to bounce back after a setback).
Develop more confidence in asking for help and support.
WHANAUNGATANGA (WOVEN INTO COMMUNITY)
Develop a greater sense of manaakitanga (a Maori concept that means kindness, empathy, generosity and a desire to uplift others).
Improve your social skills and your relationships, so you can feel a greater sense of belonging and connection.
HOPE FOR A FUTURE WITH PURPOSE
Develop a greater hope for your future. Things will improve and you have a central role in making this happen.
Discover the energy and motivation to work towards your personal goals and find a way around obstacles.
TAHA WAIRUA (SPIRITUAL WELLNESS)
Develop a better understanding of your own cultural identity as well as an appreciation of the diversity and bicultural foundations of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Reflect on your own spiritual identity (wairuatanga) and how this adds to your health and wellbeing.
Develop a stronger connection to your own place (turangawaewae), to the land, to nature, to the environment.
Read more about Adventure Therapy here
COME JOIN US!
If you are interested in coming along on the REVIVE Adventure Therapy day programme (Christchurch), please get in touch with Amy, our Adventure Therapy co-ordinator in Christchurch. She can chat with you to answer any questions that you might have, and then 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:
“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