Thrive Centre
Equine Relationships for Children
Helping Children Thrive has stepped into the massive void left by the closure of Leg Up Trust. Ros Rowe worked tirelessly for over 20 years to reach out to disadvantaged youth who had suffered social, behavioural or emotional problems by teaching them how to engage and communicate with horses. We feel that this is a legacy that needs to be continued…
We seek to support young people who have experienced trauma, social and emotional difficulties along with children who have diagnosed medical conditions such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual disabilities along with other conditions.
We seek to increase the confidence, life skills and social and emotional regulation of the children who step into out centre. The children who attend here are all nurtured and unconditionally loved focusing on rebuilding their ability to build healthy connections. The horses are the therapists; we humans are the facilitators.
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Our Approach
The point of difference in Helping Children Thrives approach is a targeted approach which focuses on using Te Ao Maori including teaching the whakapapa of the centre and all within it, whanauntanga and maanakitanga along with the latest neuroscience, trauma informed, child development and attachment theories. All staff are undertaking the THRIVE Licensed Practitioner Training. Amee (one of the company directors) is the only trainer of this approach in the Southern Hemisphere.
The use of horses as teachers supports children in forming relationships based on mutual understanding and respect. Where human beings may be suspect in the view of abused and neglected children, the horses pose no such risk to damaged souls. They keep their own counsel, offer what is perceived as unconditional love and do not judge. The students learn the basics of a relationship which has to supersede the predator/prey barrier, and through this become aware of how their actions influence those around them.
The staff will also be trained in the delivery of Lego Therapy and this will also be part of their visit with us as this will support the building of social skills and working with a group. These groups will be carefully put together and again will be focused on improving skills based on discussion with whanau and the school.
The staff at the centre will work with the children, parents and schools to complete assessments to identify what areas of development might require support. The schools and parents will receive weekly target focused reports to share what the child is doing during their half day/day at the centre. These will be sent out via email.
