[Please note that the photos in this article are not from the RESTORE programme, to protect the privacy of the programme participants.]

The benefits of small groups include:

• Meeting other people who are in a similar situation to you,
• Getting to know them, making friends,
• Trusting others,
• Communicating your needs and emotions and ideas.

Especially for people who are anxious about social situations, it’s an opportunity to practice so many skills and really build confidence in a social setting.

All of these things are much harder to achieve in individual therapy.

We often find that one of the things the participants appreciate most is the peer support that comes from the group sharing their experiences and thoughts and ideas with each other.

Take, for example, our RESTORE programmes which have been running in Auckland and Christchurch this year.

RESTORE is for people who are off work for mental health reasons (like anxiety, depression, stress or burnout) and are on the Job Seekers benefit. We use Adventure Therapy to support them on their journey towards hauora (health and wellbeing).

Check out the feedback that we have received from the participants:

“It was comforting to learn that EVERYONE goes through stuff and everyone struggles from time to time.”

“It gave me a reason to get out of bed and have interactions with people outside my immediate circle. Being able to have meaningful conversations impacted my day positively.”

“It’s helped me realise that people do care and there are programmes that help bring change and help bring life back.”

“This programme has made me realise how important connection is for my wellbeing. Connecting with nature and people help to lift my mood and give me a sense of belonging.”

“This programme has made a difference in multiple ways: communicating with others, feeling better in nature, different ways to look at things, and feeling safer in the community.”

“I’m more positive, confident and clearer about who I am and what brings me to life. I’ve learned that I don’t have to be perfect and giving my best is fine. I’ve learned too that I have a lot to offer other people because of who I am. I have appreciated this opportunity. I am no longer suicidal, I have more hope and can feel joy, self-pride and gratitude.”

[This article is from our Christmas newsletter. Read the rest of the newsletter here (PDF)]

The post Why we LOVE small groups! appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

REVIVE is a new Adventure Therapy day programme (one day a week over eight weeks) for clients who are being supported by ACC’s Integrated Service for Sensitive Claims (ISSC) therapists.

We have just completed our first REVIVE programme in Christchurch.

Anneke (a qualified therapist and our Adventure Therapy Clinician) and Amy (a qualified counsellor and our Adventure Therapy Manager) met up with seven women who are clients of ACC’s ISSC.

The group spent eight Tuesdays adventuring together – walking, rafting, sea kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, on the high ropes course, and orienteering.

Anneke recounts, “We’ve laughed and cried together, reflected and shared together, eaten and celebrated birthdays together. We’ve taken brave steps to try new things and get to new heights. We’ve turned to the natural world as a resource for grounding and calming, tuned in to what our bodies need and taken rest when we’ve needed it. We’ve expressed ourselves creatively and acknowledged all that our bodies can do! Our women plan to continue to meet up socially which speaks so beautifully to our hope that people leave our programmes feeling ‘woven into community’.”

Adventure Specialties Trust has contracted an Independent Researcher to evaluate this programme (and the next three), to ensure that we are adequately supporting these participants, and to demonstrate the benefits of this active therapeutic environment for participants who have experienced trauma and significant harm.

We have a men’s group in the pipeline too!

QUOTES FROM THE PARTICIPANTS

Here are a couple of quotes from our women, about how this programme has made a difference to their lives:

“I’m wanting to be outside – to feel the air, have the air in my lungs and to know, even when it’s raining and I am soaked through, that I am in my element and I love it.”

“I had to learn to trust while on high ropes – this has helped me to trust someone outside and not to believe the world is such a scary place.”

“My confidence has increased. My capabilities in what I can achieve has increased. My trust in myself and my body has increased. My self-esteem has increased.”

“The connections made in this group are priceless. The group plan on staying in touch, continuing to support each other and grow. It can be hard to find like-minded people, but this group rocked.”

FIND OUT MORE

Find out more about our REVIVE programme.

Or Contact Us if you would like to talk to someone about the programme.

Learn more about Adventure Therapy.

Browse other Adventure Therapy programmes.

Return to Homepage.

The post Helping Women Heal from Trauma appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

The post #kayaking appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Here is a short 30-second video from our Girls Journey, biking through beautiful Canterbury region with Instructors Grace and April.

The post Biking through Canterbury appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

UPCOMING PROGRAMME:

RESTORE

For MSD clients in Ōtautahi Christchurch who are taking time off work for mental health reasons, like anxiety, stress, depression or burnout. Come join us on an adventure and restore your sense of wellbeing!

We are now receiving referrals for the May/June programme. Check out our website for more info about the programme, and if you’re interested in attending, please contact your MSD case manager.

www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/programmes/restore

The post Upcoming programme: Restore (Christchurch) appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Have you ever been #coasteering? It’s a fun way to make your way from one point to another, along a coastline, by a mix of walking, climbing, scrambling, jumping, swimming and laughing!

This group of ladies was part of an INSPIRE programme, which is a small group of adults (18+) meeting up one day a week (normally Wednesdays 9am-3pm ish) for 6-8 weeks and heading out together on a local adventure. The group tried coasteering, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, high ropes, and tree planting.

Find out more about our Auckland INSPIRE and Christchurch INSPIRE programmes!

The post Have you ever been coasteering? appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

Come on an adventure with us!

Calling all adults in Christchurch who are wanting to build their health and wellbeing, increase their confidence and find connection with others.

Be Inspired

Our “Inspire” adventure therapy programme combines fun adventurous activities (like kayaking, coasteering, hiking and mountain biking) with group therapy tools (like facilitated discussions, group activities, space for personal reflection, and simply spending time outdoors in nature with its proven therapeutic benefits).

Details:

> For adults (18+)
> Once a week
> Every Tuesday 9:30am – 2:30pm
> For 6 weeks
> Starting 25th October until 29th November 2022
> Activities may include biking, walking, rock climbing, surfing, kayaking, coasteering, high ropes, tree planting.
> We try to ensure that there are harder/easier options available for every activity (talk to Gareth about this if you are unsure)
> There will also be a different theme each week, which the activities and discussion will be based around e.g. dealing with emotions, creating a support network, setting goals, finding hope for the future, etc.
> We will provide all the outdoor equipment needed
> Moderate physical ability is required
> This programme may be subsidized for those who need it (pricing and funding will be discussed at the time of enrolment)

Interested?

Get in touch if you’re interested in finding out more
Contact Gareth (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz)

The post UPCOMING PROGRAMME: Inspire Christchurch appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

A little bit of light-hearted fun on the autumn “Inspire” programme in Christchurch!

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Good News Story

A lady on one of our “Inspire” Adventure Therapy programme for adults in Christchurch has been using the practice of mihi (acknowledgements or thanks) with her whānau at home. She said it has brought them closer together and now she can hardly get her sons to stop talking about things from their day!

Instructor April says that it is so cool to hear when participants learn something on programme with us that they go and try out in their own lives!

Inspire

Our “Inspire” programmes (which is part of the Adventure Therapy side of our business) combine outdoor adventure activities (like coastal bush walks, mountain biking, high ropes, rock climbing or sea kayaking) with aspects of group therapy (like team building exercises, facilitated group discussions, and simply being in nature with its proven therapeutic benefits).

Find out more

Find out more about our “Inspire” programme on our website (https://www.adventurespecialties.co.nz/2022/03/inspire-an-adventure-therapy-programme-for-adults/) or contact us (office@adventurespecialties.co.nz) if you think you might be interested in coming along on the next programme! They run every school term, one day a week for 6-8 weeks, with a different local adventure each week!

The post Good news story: practising mihi (acknowledgement or thanks) appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.

The adults that attend our “Inspire” programmes are all dealing with different challenges: some are dealing with crippling anxiety that makes it hard for them to leave home; some are coping with debilitating symptoms caused by trauma; some are learning to live with mental health diagnoses; some are struggling with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection made worse by covid isolation requirements.

They show their courage in so many ways: by being open to new experiences, by sharing their stories with the group, even just by simply turning up.

Anneke, the group co-ordinator and our Adventure Therapy clinician says how much she feels inspired by witnessing their courage.

She shared this photo and story: “This beautiful artwork was created by one of our participants. He shared that he felt ready to make some positive changes in his life. He also invited other participants to add to his artwork, sharing with the group his hope that they will support his journey of change while adventuring alongside him.

We all placed some shells into the artwork; physically showing our support. In that beautiful peaceful spot by the ocean, it felt like a symbolic commitment as a group to offer each other support, patience, kindness, understanding and respect. It felt like we created a safe space for all of us to be in, for the rest of the Inspire programme.”

The post Change for Life: a story from our Inspire programme appeared first on Adventure Specialties Trust.