Specialist Work

Strengthening Families Strengthening Communities

The Forest Bus currently have three staff who are trained facilitators in this community cohesion and parenting programme, which was developed by the Race Equality Foundation. We have had success in delivering this project in two areas and this has directly led to two community groups seeking further training in subjects such as First Aid, Garden maintenance and they have both gone on subsequently to study basic skills in Maths and Literacy. The community cohesion course is aimed at providing groups with the skills to work together on local issues, alongside parenting of their own children.  The program last 12 weeks and each participant receives a handbook and materials to help them in their parenting role.

" I really enjoyed the course - and by meeting other parents it has helped me to understand my own children better. It has given me the confidence to try new things and to meet new people. Thank you very much for all your help Forest Bus."

Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy gives children and young people the freedom to express their feelings or emotions in a safe and comforting environment.

Play Therapy is based on the theory that playing is a child’s natural way of learning, communicating and making sense of the world.

When adults go through difficult times in their lives such as, loss, separation or trauma. They may seek counseling or  therapy to help them cope. Counseling can help because it allows the adult to express their feelings, understand themselves better and build healthy coping mechanisms. Because children do not have the ability to vocalize their feelings like adults, Play Therapy helps them to  express their thoughts and feelings in their own way.

It is child centred and non directive which means that children can let go of built up feelings at their own pace, in non probing activities.

Play Therapy uses mediums within the process which give children the opportunity to process their thoughts and feelings and can help children or young people who have been through a traumatic event or are displaying difficulties in their behaviour.

We normally provide 12 sessions with a full evaluation and progress report, and from there assess the need for any further work or refer

Katy Peacock and Jacquie McDowell (our trained play therapists) provide one to one therapy with children and young people from across Hampshire and the New Forest.

The children and young people that have attended Play Therapy have made such progress through the intervention that parents and carers have seen a dramatic difference..

“Katy has been providing Play Therapy with my son, who started to experienc some problems at school and at home following a bereavement in the family. He is getting a lot from the sessions, he is more relaxed and after his Friday session, I know I will have a nice calm weekend with him!”

“Since Jacquie has been working with a pupil within our school, we have seen a big improvement in the child’s development, social interaction and their ability to manger their anger. This has made  a real difference to him."