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Acorn Programme
Acorn Programme
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What is the Acorn Programme Activity based programme, providing Challenge, Opportunity and Respite in a Nurturing environment.
The ACORN Programme offers an activity based residential programme in a secure and nurturing environment in which those children and young people (12-17) partaking in the programme can take time out from their current situation or crisis that they may be experiencing. Our programme endeavours to create an environment through physical, social and cultural pursuits and activities that will empower and enable those using the service to take a break and reflect on the issues that are currently affecting them.
The ACORN Programme will provide a 4 day residential placement or organised frequent respite. We aim to facilitate young people for whom continuing to live at home, in the community, in Residential Care or Foster Care is becoming a challenge, for whatever reason.
Our Programme offers an opportunity to span the change between residential care and the community for those entering or leaving a residential service. We hope to provide a secure and reliable support for young people and their carer’s in times of crisis.
The Acorn Programme Activity By using an activity based educational process centred on action and reflection, the lessons learned on the Acorn Programme will stay with the young person longer than those taught through lecture or reading. Experiences are intentionally designed, presented and reflected upon so as to instill values.We will provide a wide range of activities for the young person to choose from. Some of these include:
Social Activities include; Cinema, local concerts & festivals, eating out, bowling, ice skating and visits to local cultural and historical sites.
Challenge
The ACORN programme is designed to include action that requires special effort. Whether for the young person it is more challenging to paddle a sea kayak in open waters or to speak openly about their personal challenges or fears, they will be asked to make the choice to challenge themselves. These exciting and remarkable experiences that involve uncertain outcomes and acceptable risks, once accomplished, provide the courage for later challenges in the community.
Opportunity
The programme is run with the best interests of the young people and as such they will have the opportunity to have their say about what happens while they are on the programme. As well as the opportunity to experience adventure activities they may not normally have access to. By participating the young person will have the opportunity to challenge themselves, to explore new experiences and to grow. The young person also has the opportunity to participate in household chores and day to day activities such as shopping and planning meals. It is our hope that by participating in these activities we can add a real sense of purpose and value to the young person’s experience with us.
Respite
We know that the young person may have come to stay with us for a few days because they are having a difficult time at home or in their current placement. For this reason we will have staff whom they can rely upon to give the young person individual support, space and guidance, they might need to get over these stresses. After all, the goal is to help the young person to find a way out of whatever stresses they maybe feeling.
Nurturing environment We endeavour to provide the young person with a safe, fun and relaxed environment where they can find the space and time to think about the things that are going on in their lives. The new experiences and skills which they will gain will really help to take their mind off the things that are troubling them. This will in turn allow the young person to focus on some new goals and objectives.They will have the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.The young person will be supported by a very approachable and understanding staff team who will do everything they can to make their stay as enjoyable as possible.Most important of all they will be given the opportunity to relax and have fun in a friendly environment.
Who is the Acorn Programme for The programme gives young people and their carers an opportunity to take a break from their present circumstances and take time to look at ways of improving their situation into the future. The care provided could be instrumental when avoiding crisis or in times of stress and trauma in the young person’s normal environment. This time gives young people the opportunity to engage in leisure, social, and educational activities within a supportive and nurturing environment.
Our Distinctive Features We provide direct and dramatic experiences in inspiring and unfamiliar settings. Our competence and capabilities lie in using the mountains, sea, rivers and lakes.The programme involves physical journeys but there are also journeys of development and discovery for the young person. It is our aim that a journey started with the Oak Lodge ACORN Programme, continues long after the young person has finished the programme. Anyone attending the ACORN Programme participates as an individual and if appropriate as a team member, working with the same instructor for the duration of the course. Our courses focus on the development of the individual and the interface with the natural environment.
Oak Lodge Staff Our instructors have the technical skills to take young people into the outdoors. However, of paramount importance are the “soft skills” that enable an instructor to translate the events of an adventure into lessons for life. All instructors are fully qualified and hold National Governing Body Qualifications. They are all fully trained up in First Aid and T.C.I.
Please go to Downloads for a Downloadable ACORN Brochure. |