RECREATIONAL THERAPEUTIC SERVICE

Not all children and young people can or are willing to engage in traditional 1:1 talking therapies. For many, it is simply too intense or talking through their feelings in that setting is too difficult.

Unfortunately, because of a lack of alternative provision, many children and young people do not receive the support they need and often express their frustrations through unhelpful behaviours. They may then struggle long-term with educational engagement leading to potentially negative personal and social impacts.

Our programmes are designed to support children in a way that is fun and engaging through activities they are passionate about (i.e., music & multi-sports) with a sound psychological approach around Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles, a well-known and evidence-based psycho-social intervention.

Both ENCORE and TACTICS are designed to be an early intervention programme to give children and young people a better understanding of their emotions and provide them with new tools and techniques to cope better. This provision therefore targets mild difficulties by providing early intervention to those aged 7-11 years old (or school years 3 to 6) who may be struggling with difficulties around anxiety, low-mood, low self-esteem and/or managing emotions. These programmes are delivered in primary schools to a group of students, and we do not currently accept 1:1 referrals.

Through using multi-sports and music we are able to evidence a tangible improvement around behaviour, anxiety, self-confidence and engagement in learning.

TACTICS

(Multi-sports Based Intervention Programme)

The TACTICS Multi-sports Programme is currently available to children and young people across Bedfordshire and Luton.

TACTICS is a six-week multi-sports based programme for up to eight children, aged between 7-11, who would benefit from support for managing their emotions and improving their behaviour.

When playing sports, it is vital to think about your choices, your consequences and your next move. Without thinking these important things through, a player is likely to make mistakes and ultimately not perform well. The multi-sports programme encourages students to think about these things on a sports pitch so that they become second nature. By doing so, these same skills can be used in the classroom and lives at home.

Throughout the TACTICS programme we focus on a variety of topics including:

  • understanding emotions

  • the worry cycle (based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy cycle)

  • calming strategies

  • strengths and weaknesses

  • expressing anger in helpful ways

If you are an education professional and would like to enquire about the possibility of running an TACTICS programme at your primary school, please email Faye at faye.tolliday@chums.uk.com

“I had the chance to speak out and be listened to; it was a really fun time there”

(Young person)

“I got a lot of support for when I’m angry; It helped me to calm down”

(Young person)

“I’ve learnt to not get involved in silly situations that can get me in trouble”

(Young person)

ENCORE

(Music-Based Intervention Programme)

The ENCORE Music Programme is available to children and young people across Bedfordshire and Luton.

ENCORE is a six-week music-based programme for up to eight children, ages between 7-11, experiencing mild difficulties around anxiety, low self-esteem and low confidence.

Throughout the ENCORE programme we focus on a variety of topics including:

  • understanding emotions

  • the worry cycle (based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy cycle)

  • self-esteem

  • working together with our support network

  • challenging unhelpful thoughts

If you are an education professional and would like to enquire about the possibility of running an ENCORE programme at your primary school, please email Faye at faye.tolliday@chums.uk.com

“ENCORE is really fun. You get to build up your confidence. If you have anxiety it helps you because CHUMS give you helpful tools and you can play instruments and have fun too!”

(Young person)

“As a school, we have seen a positive impact from the pupils who have completed the programme. The pupils have seemed more confident and been able to deal better with their own day to day lives. It also allowed them the opportunity to play a wide range of musical instruments and work with other pupils in a small safe group setting whilst relating it back to their anxieties. One pupil in particular was able to stand up and sing in front of the whole school before Christmas in our school talent contest.”

(School)

“I’ve never seen him so animated/positive after school about his session, especially as he wasn’t keen to do it.”

(Parent)

“After the session ‘United We Stand’ I started sharing things with my parents that I had never done before and since then we have been arguing less and I feel they respect and understand me more now.”

(Young person)

“I would never have been able to talk in front of people let alone play music! Mum noticed how much happier I was each day coming home from school.”

(Young person)

“I loved performing with friends, learning to play the ukulele and I really liked the discussions. Go to CHUMS. It’s amazing, fun and you learn things for the future and now. They were the best days of my life at school. It’s what got me into school.”

(Young person)

“If I am worrying about doing something, I can practise deep breathing. It taught me to calm down, relax and not get so worried.”

(Young person)

ONSIDE

Held weekly during term time

ONSIDE is a drop-in physical activity, fitness and football session that meets weekly during term time, for children aged 8-17 with any level of sport ability.

Your child does not have to be part of any sports club and if they are part of one, they may still want to attend the group. They just need to bring with them a positive attitude to exercise and have fun! Sessions include a fun warm-up, a variety of exercises to improve sporting techniques and plenty of games. The session includes a range of different types of sports.

For more information about ONSIDE, please email Faye at faye.tolliday@chums.uk.com

Music in Mind Choir

Held on Tuesday evenings during term time.

Music in Mind is a fun and inclusive drop-in music group that meets during term time, for children aged between 7 and 17.

These sessions run both online and in-person on alternating weeks. Online sessions happen each fortnight on a Tuesday from 4.30-5.15pm on zoom. In-person sessions happen every other fortnight on a Tuesday from 5.30-6.30pm at the Holy Ghost Parish Centre in Luton. Participants can attend both formats of the group or just one type of session.

Online sessions follow the format of an online choir – we begin by catching up with one another, and then we will do some vocal warm-ups and learn a new song for the week. The songs we learn vary throughout the year and we often also have fun playing musical games or coming up with actions for the songs.

In-person sessions are a chance for participants to meet new friends, play musical games, and learn new instruments. The structure of these sessions varies depending on what the group would like to learn but we often wor Save k together as a group to learn musical techniques or songs.

Music in Mind sessions are free to attend and are open to anyone, whether you have received support from CHUMS in the past or not.

For more information about Music in Mind Choir, please contact Faye at faye.tolliday@chums.uk.com

Make A Referral

This programme is delivered in schools only and we do not currently accept referrals for 1:1 interventions. If you are an educational professional and interested in a group for children at your primary school, please contact Faye, at faye.tolliday@chums.uk.com to discuss further.

Before you make a referral please read our referral criteria

CHUMS REFERRAL CRITERIA
PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL FORM

What happens to your personal data?

The information that you share with us stays within a dedicated computer system and is stored on a specialist client database called PCMIS. This information does not stay within our website and submitted referrals are not stored within the website environment or with any other third party. Referrals are transmitted directly into our database. This ensures that personal data is stored safely and securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. This is only accessed and used to plan and monitor CHUMS support.

We regularly share information with other professionals including CAMHS and Early Help. This is to ensure that we are working together to provide every young person with the right support at the right time.