Autumn’s coming!
Helen Murray
With Autumn on the horizon, therapy dog Jasper brought a little extra warmth to Waymakers this week - here’s how he’s becoming part of Waymakers plus a sneak peek at what’s in store at our Spooky drama workshop Deep Dive in November.
We were delighted to welcome Jasper, a lovely therapy dog introduced to us by Anna of Clarendon Street Vets who has run some brilliant Deep Dives for us. He came along to spend some time with our young people at one of our core groups, Curiosity Hub. With his gentle presence, waggy tail and generous supply of furry friendliness, Jasper brought something a little different to the day.
Jasper belongs to Sharon, an Animal Assisted Therapist, who may also bring her other therapy dog in training, Copper, to Waymakers sessions from time to time.
Jasper isn’t just a welcome visitor, though. He’s part of the wider Waymakers community and is available, by arrangement, to support us in all sorts of ways across our work and has already started taking referrals!
Whether that’s offering a calming presence during a busy session, providing a little companionship for someone who would appreciate it, supporting young people who find it easier to connect with animals, or inspiring a whole new learning project, we’re excited to explore the possibilities.
At Waymakers, we know that everyone connects, communicates and learns differently. For some young people, spending time with a dog can offer a lovely opportunity to relax, build confidence, communicate in their own way or simply enjoy a moment of connection without any pressure.
And, of course, animals can open up all sorts of fascinating avenues for curiosity and learning – from animal behaviour and body language to biology, communication, empathy and understanding consent.
We take a consent-based approach to our work with animals, just as we do with people. That means respecting both the young person’s choices and the dog’s needs, allowing everyone to decide how and whether they want to engage.
A huge thank you to Sharon for bringing Jasper along and helping us discover more ways to make Waymakers a welcoming, flexible space for everyone.
Find out more about Sharon, Jasper and Copper on our Waymakers team page.
Coming up: a spooky Deep Dive!
Talking of curiosity, creativity and trying something a little different, we’re also looking forward to our upcoming spooky drama Deep Dive!
Spooky Drama Workshop – 2 November
Get ready for an afternoon of spooky storytelling, dramatic sound effects, mysterious characters and plenty of creative fun.
Young people aged 6–16 are invited to join us for a playful drama workshop exploring how to build tension, make an audience jump and perhaps even make them laugh.
Barry will lead the group in experimenting with storytelling, characters and sound effects, with lots of opportunities to contribute ideas, work together and follow individual interests.
And don’t worry – it’s all fun and no fear! There’s no performance for an invited audience at the end, just a chance for the group to enjoy being creative together.
This is a Waymakers Deep Dive, meaning young people can explore a particular interest in more depth, with space for their own ideas, strengths and ways of participating. It’s also a great chance to be part of the community, meet one of our regular facilitators and other home educated young people, without the pressure of trialling with a view to joining any of our core groups.
Whether your young person loves acting, enjoys making up stories, is fascinated by spooky sound effects or simply wants to try something new, there’s plenty of scope to get involved in a way that feels right for them.
Event details:
When: Monday 2 November, 10.30am–1.30pm
Where: Meadows Community Centre, CB4 2JL
Who: Young people aged 6–16
Find out more and book the Spooky Drama Deep Dive here.
Curiosity, connection and following your own path
From welcoming a four-legged friend to exploring the dramatic possibilities of a spooky story, these are exactly the kinds of experiences we love creating at Waymakers.
Our aim is to offer young people opportunities to explore what interests them, connect with others and discover new possibilities – with the flexibility to participate in ways that work for them.
We can’t wait to see what Jasper, our young people and our wider community get curious about next!
Explore Waymakers sessions and opportunities and come and find your own way as part of our flexible and welcoming community.
