[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)]

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Thank you, Foundation North, for funding the purchase of our new mountain bikes so that more young people can experience the joy of being outdoors!

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Our Christchurch team got together a few weeks ago for a 2-day staff training event (which happens once each term). Instructor Peter described it like this:

“April ran a session up at Sign of the Bellbird on pūrākau [Māori myths and legends], looking at the Māori place names of the local areas that we travel to on our programmes. Then we headed out to Little River and stayed the night there. Then I ran a session on flax weaving, looking at the tikanga [Māori customs] around it and methods of rope-making. Then we had a workshop on how to integrate these learnings into our Adventure Therapy/Adventure With Purpose programmes, before heading back to the office for adrenalin training.”

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THANK YOU RECREATION AOTEAROA! For funding some amazing programmes over the last few months: Big Brother Big Sister and Upside Youth Mentoring in Auckland, plus Active Muslim Explorers Camp and Big Brother Big Sister in Christchurch.

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This stunning photo was taken by the talented Cole Yeoman during the 11-day “E3 Canterbury” wilderness journey earlier this year. At that point, Day 2, the group of Year 12-13 students and 3 outdoor instructors (plus Cole) were on the St James walkway in Lewis Pass, Canterbury, somewhere between Cannibal Gorge hut and Christopher hut.

E3 is a partnership between Adventure Specialties Trust, Scripture Union NZ and A Rocha. The E3 programmes are based on the belief that wilderness experiences are significant – helping us understand ourselves better and deepening our relationships with others, with God and with God’s creation. Find out more on the SUNZ website (https://www.sunz.org.nz/youth/e3/)

More photos to come!
: Cole Yeoman

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One of the best things about our programmes is that participants get to try outdoor activities that they might not normally have a chance to try … like surfing!

How much fun does this look?!?

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Some stunning photos by Instructor April from a 3-day sea kayak trip with Rangiora College, Canterbury. April says, “We left from Cass Bay, stayed on Ōtamahua (Quail Island) for two nights, then paddled to Ripapa Island. Ripapa Island is tapu so you can’t eat on the island, so we had lunch on this unnamed beach on the mainland near Ripapa.”

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Five Fun Facts about Andy Balcar, our beloved Christchurch manager!

1. I used to play the Trombone
2. I brew my own beer and recently attempted to make my own beer from all my own home-grown ingredients – I failed
3. I have won 3 x Giant Pumpkin Contests
4. I love riding my bike – especially in the less accessible areas of NZ. I have even played Bike Polo for New Zealand.
5. Mark Johnston (the Safety and Training Manager at Adventure Specialties) and I went to kindy together.

“Current hobbies are biking, rock climbing, skiing (I have recently bought some ski touring gear and hope to get a few days on it this winter), gardening … I strongly dislike painting.

“I did have plans to travel overseas for my 50th but have recently decided I want to Travel more in NZ instead.

“My dad is from England and settled in New Zealand – he was a keen Geographer and loved the outdoors here so was always taking the family on lots of fun adventures – he recently passed, and I have really enjoyed stopping and reflecting on the love of NZ that he has passed onto my brother and I and how I have seen that also in my kids.

“My kids got me back into surfing last summer, and Tarn has gotten me back into climbing when I thought I was well passed it – turns out I am not.

“Dad actually took Mark J and I on an 18-day trip to Queenstown when we were in Year 12 where we did all sorts of fun adventures. (tramped the Milford and Routeburn Tracks, MTB, Climbed up the Remarkables, bungy jumped).

“Looking forward to days in the mountains this year.
Looking forward to my 20th wedding anniversary trip to Rarotonga with my wife.
Looking forward to getting out into the hills with good people.

“A piece of wisdom that I am currently living by – Every day you have is your best day or make the most of it while you have it (especially as I get closer to 50).

“Job title – Christchurch Manager – currently in my 7th Year with Adventure Specialties Trust. Pretty excited with where the Trust is at – with the ongoing development of programmes, we have a great team and a good vison to get there.”

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