At Acorn to Oak we are passionate that all children are given the opportunity to learn, experience and make healthy choices so they can grow and move into adulthood as responsible, inspired and motivated individuals.

All too often we are hearing stories of unhealthy choices being made by children to help manage the overwhelm of emotions they were feeling. Some of these choices include self-harming, overdoses, alcohol abuse and extreme violence that cause isolation from family, school and peers. It is known children as young as eleven dangerously self-harm.

Carolyn Whitmore with supervision from Pennie Quaile-Pearce ran a pilot programme focusing on teenagers for her outreach project, which is part of the Breath₄Life^TM Breath Work Practitioner Course.

It was paramount to provide a safe environment where teenagers would be safe to explore & feel their stuck emotions.  Each teenager was respected, valued and supported so that they could move forward by reducing their emotional overwhelm through Breath₄Life^TM Breath Work along with some practical tools to use in their everyday life.

The project involved a total of seven children over five sessions. Six have asked if we can continue providing regular sessions, which are now happening on a 2 weekly basis. As teenagers they have shared their experience with friends, who are now asking to join the group.

Comments made by the teenagers
 
"I have progressed throughout the session and found a healthy stable way to control how I feel" age 15

“I feel I have learnt to breathe through anger and difficult situations" age 14

“I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders" age 15

“I felt I could let go of how I feel without having to tell why" age 15

For projects like this to continue funding is needed to cover the cost of venues, practitioners and tools. This is needed so that all children who come to us wanting to experience and live a happier and healthier life are supported without exclusion due to finances.

This group is based in Woking and runs every 1st and 3rd Thursday from 6.30pm to 9pm. Please get in contact if your would like further details.