Our developing ethos

Our front line work with such complex needs is at times emotionally challenging. Our two bases provide a nurturing space for all. Focused on children, young people and families, and the wider community, but also a comforting environment for staff.

We role model. For many young people, our staff become a secure base—an extended family network that helps them regulate, and build resilience. That begins as an organisation, with valuing our team, and a healthy balance for our own family lives. Giving a sense that it is natural to take time for ourselves, to relax, eat nutritious food and take part in regular physical activity, along with them.

Emotional Wellbeing

We have our own Mentors and Therapists that work with our particularly vulnerable children and young people. We do not restrict therapeutic support to short term It is tailored to individual need, up to 18 months if necessary.

* We run one off well-being sessions and small group therapeutic programmes in response to themes that arise such as healthy relationships, keeping safe on social media etc.

* All staff are trained in attachment theory, trauma awareness, and Adverse Childhood Experiences, which helps them to understand why children challenge. They all mentor or key work individual children in sessions and one-on-one.

* The bases provide safe and nurturing environments for children to relax and feel at home, so that they have a sense of containment, away from harmful outside influences, and are free to have fun, laugh and express themselves.

Physical Health

Our biggest asset is the long term trusted relationships with children. Therefore we provide a range of physical activities to tackle inactivity and enhance wellbeing, for both staff and YP, knowing children will naturally join in with staff as role models. There are opportunities 2/3 times a week.

* A range of indoor and outdoor pursuits that tackle inactivity and simply keep children moving and communicating such as swimming, gardening and even dog walking.

* Young people cook with our staff and eat nutritious food with their peers.

* We provide healthy food options within our café in Jaywick and ensure those in receipt of free meals continue to do so during school holidays.

* We have our own space for growing vegetables fruit and herbs so children and YP understand where food comes from.

Aspiration

* Not all of our children are well suited to academic work; part of our role is to provide opportunities that may ignite enthusiasm in children and YP that have felt failed within the education system.

A freelance team bring a variety of activities for yp, in creative Arts, technologies, and other practical and life skills that have the potential to provide a sense of mastery and confidence for future employment.

* We work in partnership when possible, to provide opportunities for work experience, team-building adventures, and activities outside their communities to challenge limiting perspectives.

* We build relationships with local organisations and businesses to provide, where possible, taster days for YP to experience a variety of vocations. Often our YP have no idea what they may be interested in pursuing. By offering them different tasters, they may at the very least learn what they are not suited to and that will provide a platform to build on moving forward.