Seasons for Growth
What is Seasons For Growth?
It is a programme for children and young people who are dealing with change and loss.
It aims to strengthen their social and emotional wellbeing using the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief.
How does it work?
Seasons for Growth is a small group programme combining psychology and education with peer support, within a person centred learning approach.
It uses the metaphor of the seasons to explore the cyclic nature of grief.
The programme normalises children and young people's experiences, and can increase protective factors (including building personal resilience and social skills) while minimising some risk factors (including isolation) that influence mental health and wellbeing.
How is it delivered?
The programme runs over 8 sessions with small groups of around 4 to 7 children or young people. Groups are facilitated by trained adult "companions". Children and young people are provided with a safe space to learn, share and reflect.
Each participant in the group gets their own Seasons for Growth journal which is full of illustrations and activities to support them through the loss they have experienced.
How to refer a child or young person to take part in the programme
If you think a child or young person in your school might benefit from taking part in a Seasons for Growth group then you are asked to make a request for assistance through the Single Point of Access (please follow this link to read more about the Single Point of Access Mental Health and Wellbeing - Single Point of Access (google.com)
If you would like to make a request for assistance please use this email address for enquiries about the process: mhwap@eastlothian.gov.uk
How to take part in Seasons for Growth training
Seasons for Growth groups are facilitated by adults known as "Companions" who provide children and young people with a safe space to share and reflect on their loss and grief.
Companions are suitable adults from school or the community who have undertaken a two-day training workshop and received a subsequent accreditation from Seasons for Growth to deliver the programme with children and young people.
If you would like to discuss the possibility of becoming a companion then please email the Mental Health Youth Worker linked with your cluster area for further details. You can find contact details here.
References
Seasons for Growth Grief Education Limited - Seasons For Growth: Children and Young People (6-18)