Over the last year, we have delivered mental health support to SEN Schools across Devon thanks to the generous support of Northbrook Community Trust.
Our ‘What’s Your Genius’ workshop is a fun, lively and interactive 2.5-hour session, where young people learn their unique thinking and learning styles (Genius types), gain confidence in their natural strengths, whilst at the same time learning to avoid comparing themselves with others.
The broader understanding and acceptance of all genius types enables participants to better understand and collaborate with others through teamwork.
The workshop stimulates participants to explore what they enjoy in life (their passions) and act in service to others to make this world a better place, to find happiness and realise their potential.
By shining a positive light on a young person’s unique strengths and abilities, the workshops aim to increase awareness, acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity, such as ADHD and autism.
We were so impressed and inspired by a poem written by one of the children from Bidwell Brook School (aged 14) which shines a positive light on autism:
‘A’ is for amazing people with wisdom & brains
‘U’ is for unique people with unique ways of understanding the world
‘T’ is for terrific talents & abilities
‘I’ is for interesting individuals with inventive intents
‘S‘ is for spectrum of super skills
‘M‘ is for magical memories remembering mystical moments
The feedback we received from schools over the last year has been fantastic:
“The team were personable and professional with a passion for the subject that was clear to see. Communication was effective and the resources valuable and valued. There was sufficient challenge for the more able and an obvious ability to adapt to cohorts. We can’t wait to have them back again!” – Bidwell Brook School
“An amazing opportunity for our students. The teachers were dynamic, knowledgeable, and so fun!! We have three students who normally will not join in (inside) sessions and the three of them were engaged and talking about the workshop. We have a few autistic students who don’t like changes or new people and they all felt at ease and happy. We are very grateful to Natalie and Joel for bringing us this fantastic workshop and we would really love to see them back.” – Bidwell Brook School
“Our pupils were engaged in conversations which looked at self-esteem and gave them a safe environment to express opinions. They were encouraged to respect each other when speaking and sharing ideas. Students felt comfortable to explore deep questions using the Genius vocabulary. A student found it tricky to come back after the break but was encouraged and was supported to re-integrate with the group. There was a brilliant use of visuals and dual-coding which helped to support students at different levels.” – Glendinning Academy
“Kids loved it. Brilliant link to PSHE. Would book again” – Southbrook School
Delivering our ‘What’s Your Genius’ workshop to SEN schools has been extremely rewarding, and we look forward to supporting more young people with special educational needs in 2024
For more support and practical advice for you as parents while you support your child or teen, CLICK HERE for the Horizon Plan, our free online course. rnrnThe Youth Mental Health Foundation CIC is a non-profit with a free online course for parents supporting a young person struggling with mental health.