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In September 2023, the head of the "Therapeutic Farming" program, Kristijonas Žičkus, invited specialists working with vulnerable young people from various districts of Lithuania (Zarasai, Molėtai, Utena, Visaginas, Ignalina, Vilnius, and the city of Vilnius) to training sessions where participants discussed the psychosocial problems of vulnerable teenagers and young people. Training participants were individual care workers, social workers, social worker assistants, career counsellors, employment specialists, case managers, etc. They willingly discussed, raised questions, and together considered how to help vulnerable clients and what services would be effective for them. 123 employees participated in 5 training events (adding the one, which occurred in April), they gained new knowledge, made professional acquaintances and connections.

The first year at the Therapeutic Farm showed and confirmed that time here helps to change. The farm team said goodbye to the participants, who spent the whole year getting to know themselves and others while being together, working and enjoying nature. More than one of the participants called it one of the best experiences in their life and asked about the possibility of continuing the program further. The team of specialists is happy that the activities, group and environment of the Farm have become important for the participants, but at the same time, it is sad to say goodbye when seeing everyone off. Some of them plan to return to educational or vocational schools, others have already found jobs, others are still looking for their way, but already know what they are good at, that they are important, have new relationship experiences, can take care not only of themselves, but also of those around them: people, plants or animals.

To all those interested in "Therapeutic Farm", help for young people and new interventions, we hasten to inform you that on May 12 1 p.m. we are waiting with open doors.

OPEN DOOR DAY PROGRAM

13:00 – 13:30 Arrival of visitors, welcome, registration.

13:30 – 14:30 Presentation of therapeutic farm activities and project in the hall.

14:30 – 15:30 Snacks and coffee. Outdoor time and farm tour.

15:30 – 16:00 Individual conversations, seeing off guests.

Address: Seno Strūnaitis st. 1, Senas Strūnaitis, Švenčionių district.

If you intend to come, please fill out the short registration form: https://forms.gle/aHdEHdnTGJpwpciw8

March 10 In the Vilnius children's foster home "Lakštingala", trainings were conducted by Kristijonas Žičkus, the head of the Therapeutic Farming Program. Social workers of the institution, their assistants, nurses, etc. participated in the training. personnel. During the training, the working model of therapeutic farming and its possible benefits for children living in a foster home were presented. The participants of the training had the opportunity to discuss what psychosocial problems their children living in the foster home face, how they can be helped to grow, develop and reveal their abilities to work in a group, through experience and in outdoor spaces.

By the way, the idea of "Therapeutic Farm" is not new. Many such farms can be found in the USA, Great Britain, and Scandinavian countries. Our Farm team visited one such farm in Norway in November. We invite you to take inspiration from Gabriele's story: A trip to Norway is full of therapeutic and economic inspiration

We are very happy and proud that Gytis shares his wisdom and builds a relationship with young people in their daily experiences by inviting them to recognize and talk about their needs and feelings every week when leading groups in Therapeutic Farm.

You can read more about empathic communication here:

https://www.lrytas.lt/lietuvosdiena/svietimas/2023/01/19/news/i-vaiku-jausmus-atsigrezti-raginantis-g-valatka-nesinori-ju-paversti-marionetemis-kurios-soka-pagal- ordered-music-25706442

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Even when carying the weight of a backpack full of small and big worries, individual people's lives, challenges and needs, trying to predict and cover everything, it is good and important to know that you are together and nearby. It is important to know, that there is space and connections of support, that there are people who trust and takes the journey together.
We want to wish you and yourself that space, person or way that helps you find ease and peace in the abundance of everyday worries.

Winter and cold weather change the face of our Farm. Trips are getting longer, field work is decreasing. Snow and goats are the main concerns.

Less time outdoors, more time together. Warmer and more open conversations, dancing (yes, spontaneously, yes, in the kitchen). And preparing for Christmas - baking and decorating festive cookies. True, white waiting.

At the beginning of December, together with our participants we participated in an event held at the Struna social care home, which was dedicated to celebrating the International Day of People with Disabilities. How much authenticity, smiles, dances, laughter, simplicity, humanity, noticing and support of those around you were at the event! We went to the event to be together, we wanted to get to know the community of the Struna social care home better, but we were very pleasantly surprised that the "Educational Experience House" and the "Therapeutic Farm" team also received so many warm words and thanks. We took away a lot of joy and gratitude, THANK YOU!

We invite you to visit the "Therapeutic Farm" and get to kow each other better.

You will be able to ask any questions you may have about the ongoing program, the therapeutic effect of the farm, and hear impressions from the team: Kristijonas, Ugnė, Valdas, Gabrielė, Vaiva and Gytis. Also take a walk and see the premises and environment of the former Seno Strūnaitis school, animals.

Start of the event: 1 p.m., Seno Strūnaitis st. 1, Senas Strūnaitis, Švenčionių district.

If you intend to come, please fill out the short registration form: https://forms.gle/VayknD5DhqLuZkQF9

See you!

Kristijonas Žičkus: "Sometimes discovering strengths is a challenge, but I have a deep faith that they really have resources. If they haven't discovered it temself, or others haven't helped discover it, then let's try to look for it together here and now: maybe you're good at this or that. We try to grasp every such moment and try to find that step the young man would stand on and move, as if on a hump in the swamp.

We invite you to listen more:

https://www.lrt.lt/mediateka/irasas/2000240574/cia-ir-dabar-jauni-nedirba-nesimoko-kuo-rizikos-grupiu-jaunuoliams-gali-padeti-terapinis-ukis?fbclid=IwAR2odwYHnUCyyhxaPLuGW37Tgy7Swzxa8Kxv72XcfzMbHJcyYup7mxb8WCA

Boys or girls (16-24 years old) are invited to join the free therapy group "Therapeutic farm".

Meetings are held once a week from 9 am to 4 pm.

The Therapeutic Farm, located in Švenčionių district, in the building complex of Senas Strūnaitis former school, is a year-round therapy and educational space, where psychologists, social workers and youth workers work. This place and being in it is constructed according to the principles of environmental and occupational therapy, where young people are given opportunities to be in nature, work in groups, develop social skills, and engage in meaningful activities.

A group is suitable for a young person if he/she:

- Currently have assigned home education or are not studying or working anywhere.

- Has grown up in a social risk family/care home for some time or leaves closed institutions (e.g.: socialization centers, psychiatric hospital)

Free shuttle service and meals are provided.

"They are so sweet, beautiful and friendly!".

Two new "colleagues" joined the team last week.

The young people quickly understood how to take care of them, and when preparing lunch, the question "what should we bring to the goats?" became commonplace.

It is important for the goats to be happy, so we chop the vegetables into small pieces for them and look for a tastier bunch of grass, and trim their hooves and, whenever we have a chance, pet them and talk to them.

SOCIAL PROGRAM for young people

"Therapeutic FARM"

The purpose of the program is

young people who are not studying or working anywhere, using the therapeutic farm methodology, to return them to the education system, the labor market or employ them in the farm itself (social business).

Therapeutic farm - what is it?

The therapeutic farm, located in Švenčioni district, in the building complex of Seno Strūnaitis' former school, is a year-round therapy and educational space, where psychologists, social workers and youth workers work. This place and being in it is constructed according to the principles of environmental and occupational therapy, where young people are given opportunities to be in nature, work in groups, develop social skills, and engage in meaningful activities. Therapeutic farming is an effective and successful tool in other countries for working with young people at social risk, because their current reality of life usually has damaged and broken relationships with themselves, family members, relatives, and other important persons. This program, by creating a therapeutic setting on the farm, helps to restore these connections while the youth operate in a controlled and predictable environment.

While on the farm, in addition to the therapeutic and socialization benefits, young people can learn social and basic work skills: keeping agreements, working in a group, taking responsibility, cooperation, etc. It is also better to know yourself, discover your strengths and learn to overcome challenges, take care of yourself and others.

Finally, at the end of the program, the young people are escorted, through counseling, back into the education system, the labor market or employed on the farm itself.

Young people who:

- is currently not studying anywhere and does not work officially;

-from 16 to 24 years of age;

-who have grown up in a socially risky family/care home for some time OR are leaving closed type institutions (eg socialization centers, psychiatric day hospital, psychiatric hospital).

- lives in Vilnius, Švenčioni, Molėtai, Ignalina, Zarasai, Visaginas or Utena districts.

Young people visit the farm one day a week from 9 am to 4 pm.

The program lasts for 10 months: from September to June inclusive.

The program also includes free transportation and catering services.

Vision

We create opportunities for young people to act, connect and discover their strengths.

Mission

To provide a young person with an experience of relationships in the community, where he would feel accepted and valuable, learn social skills, engage in meaningful activities, get to know himself and thus discover opportunities to integrate into the fields of education, social and labor market.

Our services

Our team members are qualified specialists in their field. We participate in various initiatives/projects and provide our services to students, clients from vulnerable groups, employees in the field of education and other specialists.

Therapeutic farm services

In the building complex of Senos Strūnaitis former school, we are creating a community that, by applying farming practices, pursues therapeutic goals.

Year-long program. Once a week, young people from risk groups spend one day on the farm, where they aim to return to the education system or the labor market by working in a team, being in a natural environment and doing meaningful farm work;
Therapeutic sessions on the farm, adapted as needed for groups of children and youth, with the aim of strengthening fellowship, getting to know oneself and others, experiencing and overcoming challenges together.

Training for education and youth workers

We conduct training for pedagogues and other specialists working with children and young people in the field of education and employment.

Possible topics:

Inclusive Education: My Inner Reference Points.
Complex behavior of children. How to understand and help?
Managing conflicts and difficult situations in the classroom.
Self-awareness and why it's important at work.

We also coordinate as needed and organize seminars on understanding the difficulties of children and young people, self-knowledge, stress management, conflict resolution, methods of working with children and young people, etc. topics.

Supervision for specialists

Career counseling

We provide individual, team and group supervision for specialists working with children and young people experiencing difficulties. It is an opportunity to discuss the difficulties of everyday work, difficult situations and arising feelings, to look for ways to achieve goals, improve efficiency or well-being at work. During team supervisions, employees have the opportunity to resolve mutual difficulties or seek better cooperation and mutual understanding.

We conduct individual and group career counseling for high school students and young adults. We mainly focus on people from vulnerable groups, we provide support and together we look for ways in difficult life situations.

Activities for students

We conduct experiential methodology-based seminars and classes for students of different ages.