Encouraging and supporting creativity, wellbeing and resilience in young people.
At the project’s core are uncompromising hopes for the young people it nurtures. To thrive we must access inner wellbeing and resilience which in turn helps us realise our full potential in life
The
FLOW YOUR OWN WAY
Project
The Flow Your Own Way Project directs children and young people towards inner contemplation to harness their own power, look within, trust their guts and believe in themselves. We all possess an inner strength, wisdom and resourcefulness which as we grow and develop, is often ignored or forgotten. But, it is ever-present and robust and can be depended upon, even when we are not consciously aware of it.
We are all aware that young people face unprecedented challenges influenced by factors like the recent pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and anxieties over their futures in an uncertain world. All this on top of the characteristic highs and lows of navigating the early years of life. Research demonstrates that wellbeing and mental health in children and young people is diminishing:
We encourage children to notice and be aware of when they are in their own flow and witness how much easier life can be.
The Flow Your Own Way Project delivers a comprehensive, weekly time-tabled children’s arts programme promoting emotional wellbeing and resourcefulness. It draws on the scaffolding method of teaching.
How do we define flow?
We are in flow or in the zone when we are completely absorbed in an activity that brings us joy and satisfaction. We feel present, calm, suspended in the moment and stress-free at such times.
Whilst flow is universal to us all, it is also individual and each child may differ in what leads them to this space. Children are much more capable of locating feelings of self-belief, motivation, resilience and wisdom when in a tranquil, more relaxed place. We become our authentic selves, when we allow ourselves to fall into this state. The quieter the mind the more we invite flow.
The quieter the mind the more we invite flow.
What we do:
We use play, drama games and creative exercises as well as movement and mindfulness to explore key concepts in a fun, safe environment.
Sessions are interactive allowing space for reflection, discussion and sharing. Our innovative experiential arts programme, is delivered by sensitive facilitators to community groups and primary school children through to and including the first year of secondary school. We aim to help schools meet the requirements for wellbeing as outlined in the Curriculum for Excellence.
Flow Your Own Way offers:
Regular weekly time-tabled sessions for schools as whole groups that fit around the day.
Community workshops – e.g. for youth clubs, after school clubs, inter-generational classes, Guides and Scouts.
Sessions with smaller groups
Youth Projects
Future plans for: Virtual live school sessions
Future plans for: Teacher/parent sessions
Main Foundational Themes include:
Thoughts – where they come from and how to deal with them.
Flow and Glow – our beautiful state.
Stress – why it happens and how to manage it.
Wellbeing – our inner toolbox of feel-good assets that can always be relied on.
Fight, Flight, Freeze – primal system, vital for survival, but when activated out of context, may limit us.
Our programme supports young people as they explore topics like:
Anxiety, worry, confidence and self-esteem.
Guardedness and defensive behaviour.
Respecting individual viewpoints/opinions.
School-related stress and exam worries.
Navigating relationships and the importance of connection.
Boundary setting.
Social media.
Testimonials
“The lessons were really good fun but also helped me think before I react. I now stop and take a breath if I feel upset or have strong emotions.”
10 year old participant
“My daughter found the sessions really illuminating – she seemed brighter and calmer when talking about some of the fears she had about school and friendships”.
Parent of participant
