OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS
Many young people who have experienced trauma struggle with negative self-thoughts, which can lead to communication difficulties, challenging behaviour, low self-esteem, and a feeling of hopelessness. Often, these youth are hesitant to engage with social systems such as school, work, and family.
Our program uses the gentle art of horse whispering to foster a respectful relationship between the young person and the horse, encouraging natural cooperation. These same principles are then applied to help the young person deal with complex life situations. These programs provide a safe and nurturing environment where participants can engage in the gentle art of horse whispering, building a respectful relationship with the horses, and developing crucial life skills.
Through our programs, we aim to foster trust and establish stronger emotional connections between vulnerable youth and their support systems. By utilising the immediate and non-threatening feedback provided by the horses, we teach emotional regulation and respectful communication skills. This approach empowers participants to build self-confidence, develop social awareness, and re-engage with their education, workforce, community, and family.
Early Intervention Youth Program
Horse Whispering Youth Program (HWYP) offers an early intervention program that uses equine-assisted learning to engage youth at risk of disengaging (or vulnerable youth) in a 10-week program.
Thanks to funding from the Australian Government Safer Communities Fund, the program has been running successfully for the past 18 months.
The program aims to help youth who are at risk of anti-social and/or criminal behavior to develop life skills and improve their mental health and well-being.
During the 10-week program young people, parents/carers, and referring agents are regularly communicated within an interactive group chat and each participant receives a workbook for support even upon completion of the program.
The program is delivered by our equine-assisted facilitation services located near Logan, Canungra & Tweed, enabling outreach to youth of Logan, northern & southern GC, the scenic rim, and Tweed.
Referrals are accepted from various agencies, including the Department of Education, Police, Youth Justice, and Youth & Family Community Services.
Our program is thoughtfully crafted to offer experiential learning opportunities and focus on personal development.
Participants engage in a variety of activities that promote self-discovery, emotional regulation, and effective communication.
Through hands-on experiences with horses, they learn valuable life skills that can be applied to navigate complex life situations and build healthier relationships.
Contact us for an information booklet, along with posters and a video, provided to assist families and young people in understanding what this program entails.
OLLIE’S TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY
Empowering Youth through The Horse Whispering Program
Background
A Promising Case Study of Empowering Troubled Youth
Age: 12-14 years old previous involvement with law enforcement, at risk of academic disengagement and prone to antisocial and criminal behaviour.
Ollie, a troubled young individual with anger issues and a history of domestic violence, was referred to our organization by the police. Recognizing his potential, we believed that he would greatly benefit from participating in our Horse Whispering Program, which aimed to enhance his emotional regulation and overall well-being.
Transformational Outcomes
A remarkable 30% average improvement
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- Spending time on constructive activities instead of unconstructive ones
- Identifying and expressing feelings of anger or anxiety effectively
- Managing and calming his emotional energy
- Demonstrating the ability to share thoughts and feelings adequately.
- Developing the capacity to reach out to and connect with others
Program Schedule & Referral Process
Stay updated with the dates, times, and locations of upcoming HWYP sessions and workshops through our program schedule.
Requesting to be on our mail out list or following us on Facebook allows you to plan and ensure you don’t miss out on the opportunities we offer.
Enrolling in our programs is easy. We provide clear instructions on how to register, including any necessary forms or documentation required.
Follow our step-by-step guide to secure your spot and embark on a transformative journey with HWYP.