Specialist Services
Therapeutic techniques used within the home will include the following;
Please select from the list below to learn more.
Pets as Therapy
Pets as Therapy is offered by our own staff team and qualified volunteers. Young people often feel isolated and even the most withdrawn may open up and let the barriers down when animals are around. Animals bring support, comfort, pleasure, stress-relief and stimulation to young people experiencing emotional difficulties. The companionship of an undemanding animal, that gives unconditional love, is often one of the most missed aspects of their lives.
Weekly Aromatherapy sessions
Weekly Aromatherapy sessions will be delivered by a qualified aroma-therapist. An assessment will be made of individual needs and essential oils will be mixed accordingly. Working with emotions has to be a personalised form of treatment as no one person is the same. The combination of Aromatherapy, talking and listening is about valuing the individual, increasing self-worth and ascertaining inner peace and strength.
Counselling
Additional to the staff on the rota we have an in-house counsellor who is qualified and experienced to work with young people. Our counsellor will be using a person centred foundation model working in an integrative approach encompassing cognitive therapy, solution focus therapy, creative therapy, transactional analysis and rational emotive tailored to meet each individuals need and mood. All staff members have basic counselling skills.
| Poetry and Creative Writing |
“The value of poetry as food for an imagination that will be fed - if not on one thing, then on another - its value as a relief from the pressure of daily life and as a light reflecting prismatic colours on our everyday paths - is a value to the individual; but it has its place also as a factor of great value in the national life.” |
Anon 1800s |
Young people placed at Companions will be encouraged to express themselves through poetry and creative writing as an integral part of the education curriculum and the rehabilitative process. |
| Drama workshops |
| Using theatre in the forms of mime, role play, mask work, to help the young people find new and positive ways to understand and express themselves and their responsibilities. Through Drama we are able to challenge destructive and anti-social behaviour, build self-awareness and self-worth and develop positive attitudes. |
New Vic Theatre, Borderlines Project, Stoke on Trent |
| The value of sport |
| Children need to learn lessons that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives - a process in which sport can play a key role. It teaches people the benefits of self-discipline, teamwork, mutual respect and fair play. It enables youngsters, in particular, to channel their energy, competitiveness and aggression in a personally and socially beneficial way. |
Dorset County Council |
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| "Participation in sport enables young people to use their leisure time in a constructive way. Group activities such as team games can promote a sense of community and pride in achievement which lead to heightened awareness of the obligations of citizenship" |
Home Office Consultation Document, 1997 |
| Companions will offer such sporting activities as aerobics, fishing, walking, badminton, tai chi, horse riding, swimming, chess, gym, tennis, golf and will have access to local clubs where appropriate. |
Exploration of Music
'Companions' will also advocate the therapeutic benefits of music as it plays such an important part in young people’s lives. Our programme of music exploration gives young people an opportunity to realise that recorded music is more than a piece of plastic or a digital file. It’s a creative and professional piece of work whose first value belongs to the creator. Young people will be able to get involved in many aspects of music activity including song writing, recording and performing. Also the opportunity to learn how to play the piano, guitar, drums or instrument of choice.
Achieving creative expression is an important part of every person’s life and is often one of the most appealing methods of voicing one’s thoughts in feelings. It is important to look beyond music as having nothing more then recreational value and appreciate the long-term beneficial effects, which music can have on a person both physically and emotionally.
Independent Advocacy
Companions is fortunate to have in our locality CARS (Children's Advice and Representation Service), which is an NSPCC governed organisation. Companions will work in partnership with CARS and promote the service as independent and confidential for the young people to access.
Acupuncture
Using traditional chinese acupuncture, delivered by Karen who holds one of the highest academic qualifications in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture in this country.
acupuncture is not a set therapy on the program and will only be offered to young people who request this therapy and following an assessment by Karen to assess the appropriateness of this type of treatment.
Beauty & Self care
To like yourself and feel you are worth caring for is the first barrier many young people will face. Our own beautician 'Marie' teaches the young people the importance of appearance and presentation.
Individualised programs ensure each young person feels special and is worth the effort.
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