Who are the sessions for?

Our Family Inclusive Wellbeing Sessions are particularly suited to families who:

• have a neurodivergent child or young person

• have experienced trauma or other difficult life experiences

• are feeling stressed, overwhelmed or disconnectedwould benefit from spending positive time together

• live with the additional pressures that can come with caring for a neurodivergent child

• feel isolated or have limited access to family activities and support

• would like to explore a different way of connecting with each other

These sessions are about prevention and wellbeing – supporting families before difficulties become bigger problems.

What to expect from a session

Each session is dedicated to one family, giving you a calm and personalised experience.

There is no pressure to talk about difficult things or to achieve a particular outcome. Instead, we provide a welcoming space where you can spend time together and try something different.

Your family might:

• groom or walk alongside our horses

• learn about horse behaviour and communication

• take part in horse care and enrichment activities

• observe our horses living together as a herd

• explore the natural environment around you

• take part in gentle nature-based mindfulness activities

• simply spend quiet time together outdoors

Our team will guide you through activities, but there is plenty of space for families to choose what feels right for them.

What can families gain from the experience?

Sometimes families become so caught up in managing everyday life that they don't get many opportunities to simply enjoy being together.

Our sessions create space for families to:

Reduce stress - spending time outdoors, slowing down and being alongside horses can provide a welcome break from everyday pressures.

Reconnect - shared experiences can create opportunities to spend positive time together without the focus being on difficulties or challenges.

Communicate differently - activities with horses give families something to focus on together and can make communication feel more natural.

Understand each other - watching how horses communicate and respond to each other can provide interesting opportunities to think about our own relationships and ways of communicating.

Build confidence - trying new activities together and experiencing success as a family can help build confidence and resilience.

Have fun - wellbeing isn't always about fixing something. Sometimes it's about having a positive experience together and remembering what you enjoy about being a family.

Making Family Wellbeing accessible

We believe that cost should not prevent families from having access to positive experiences that support their wellbeing.

Our Family Wellbeing Sessions are offered with accessibility in mind, and where funding is available we can provide supported places for families who would otherwise be unable to afford them.

Where appropriate, travel support and refreshments may also be available.

If you think a Family Wellbeing Session could benefit your family, please get in touch to find out what support is currently available.

Our sessions offer families the opportunity to spend time together, learn something new, connect with horses and nature, and create positive experiences that can stay with you long after you leave.

Quote from a client:

'In life, you have these moments of joy that stay with you. Little happy snapshots that are stored in your memory bank and heart forever. Today, our family wellbeing session with Michaela and Mary, at The Heard Therapy, and all the horses (of course!) was one of those moments of pure joy:)'