Month: January 2019

In the news this week we have heard how Instagram are proposing to remove all graphic images of self harm following the suicide of Molly Russell in 2017. Molly’s parents saw posts of her Instagram account after her death and concluded that the social media giant was partially to blame.

All this is a world away from young people working with horses, you would think? Well think again.

According to Self Harm UK (TM) there could be as many as 13% of 11-16 year olds involved in harming themselves. It is very difficult to gather accurate data as most young people will not disclose what is going on, so the actual figures could be much higher.

As an organisation working with young people, examples of self harm are just one of many of the increasing conditions we have witnessed over the last 15 years. High levels of anxiety and stress, depression and low self esteem have all been linked to the act of self harm.

During our work with learners we try to focus on how they are feeling rather than why they are harming themselves. Horses are experts in helping us build a learner’s self esteem and confidence; the natural therapeutic environment that is created by simply being around a horse can make all of us feel better about ourselves and thus reduce our levels of stress and anxiety.

We are not a substitute or a replacement for the specialist organisations out there who actively offer support to those who are self harming and their families. However, improving our mental health and well being can only help to make us more resilient and more confident in the choices that we make.

For specialist support or if you are concerned about someone self harming then contact:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/self-harm/

youngminds.org.uk/find-help/feelings-and-symptoms/self-harm/

www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/self-harm/

www.selfharm.co.uk/

We have recognised the difficulties facing our learners when leaving a provision age 16 and venturing unsupported into mainstream education such as a college placement or into the world of paid work. Therefore, we have created an environment for support to be offered to our most vulnerable learners until they are more equipped with coping strategies and life skills to manage this transition with a successful outcome.

We are currently assisting our post 16 learners with their transition from education to the world of employment. The support on offer is not only around careers advice, CV and interview practice and work placements, it will also focus on seemingly simple things which are, in fact, a huge challenge for some of our learners, like negotiating public transport in order to get to work.

For instance, recently Callum, one of our post 16 learners commuted from his home address to the our head office in Astwood, accompanied by Sam, his coach. This journey involved a lot of supported forward planning from Callum and even the completion of a risk assessment to allow him to overcome his anxieties around travelling on public transport, crowds and unforeseen changes to travel plans (train cancellations etc.). Following this experience, Callum feels more prepared and confident in making his way independently to any work he may be offered in the future.

Some of our learners already have clear ideas about the sort of further education or career path they would like to take, others need more help. We are working with them to explore their ideas through visits to a variety of industries to give our learners an insight into different careers and working environments. We are also organising supported volunteer and work experience roles, relating to our learners’ interests which will allow them to develop important work and life skills and improve levels of confidence. These trips and placements will take place alongside and contribute to their education at The Seeds of Change where they are completing City & Guilds Land-based diplomas, Employability Level 1 and 2 diplomas and functional skills certificates in both English and Maths.

If you would like to find out more about our work with Post 16 learners, please contact us.