A Buddy is a person who contributes positively to the support of the child, teenager and their family through journeying with them through their experience at SKATTLE.

The Buddy comes to SKATTLE with prior counselling skills/knowledge and while here learns techniques that draw on the expertise of the child, teenager or family member while incorporating tools such as art, play, music, sand tray therapy, yoga and meditation. The buddy’s goal is to assist the child, teenager or family member to:

• Overcome the immediate difficulties that they face
• Think positively of themselves and escape the negative effects of labelling
• Identify any strengths and attributes and how these can be used as foundations of a better future; and
• Provoke hope and confidence to embark on their journey through life.

A buddy can be involved in group, individual or family sessions depending on their level of training and experience.

The ‘Tree of Life’ is a 7 week program for children aged 6 to 12 years, who are experiencing difficult changes in their lives. The Tree, Forest, Storms, Sun and Rainbow metaphors are used to create a story of change and resilience, in the hope that the children will walk away feeling stronger.

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‘Sophie and Sam’s Journey’ is a 7 week journey for children aged 6 to 12 years, who are experiencing difficult changes in their lives. Sophie and Sam are characters who take the children on a journey through their own change, in the hope that the children will walk away feeling strong.

While the children journey with Sophie and Sam, parents and carers share their own stories of parenting through these times and explore ways of supporting their children.

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(The ‘Tree of Life’)

Supporting children and young people aged 6-17 through life changing experiences

SKATTLE acknowledges that many children and teenagers may have difficulties coming to our Greenslopes house and consequently offer the program in schools.

The schools program uses a ‘Tree of Life’ concept developed by the REPSI Organisation in South Africa and the Dulwich Centre in Adelaide. It uses the Forest metaphor to assist children and teenagers to draw upon their own skills and knowledge as resources through difficult times.

The idea is based on the belief that children and teenagers are the experts in their own lives and may not be aware of their skills and knowledge due to the difficulties that are facing them. The program aims to acknowledge these skills and knowledge and create stories of resilience that are shared with an audience.

The children and teenagers come together for an hour each week for seven weeks in a school environment. Trained ‘Buddies’ facilitate the group by using resources which support the children and teenagers to acknowledge and author their own stories of resilience in ways that have them feeling stronger and more connected to their peers.

Program Cost: $1,200

For enquiries call SKATTLE on 3847 9943
or email us at enquiries@skattle.org.au

Overseas Training Program - Varanasi, India

Blending Art with Narrative Practice

SKATTLE (formerly Paradise Kids Brisbane) is excited to announce their third visit to Kutumb Orphanage in Varanasi, India in January 2014.

This rare opportunity will have participants being mentored and supervised in the application of Narrative Practice and how Art can be used as a resource.

The Tree of Life developed by REPSI and Centre Foundations, and community documenting developed by David Denborough, will be tools used to apply these ideas.

The entire experience includes five days of theory in Brisbane and a 10 day field practicum in Kutumb orphanage, Varanasi.

This rich cultural experience will have participants working away with an understanding of how Narrative Practice and Art can be blended together to assist children and woman living with the effects of loss. It will also highlight the usefulness of the approach in working with people who have different languages and cultures than our own.