PEERS Social Skills
Are you or your loved one ready to transform their social life? Discover the Peers Social Skills Course, a 16-week immersive experience designed to empower teenagers and young adults with the confidence and skills necessary to excel in social situations. Whether the challenge is initiating conversation, making friends, or understanding group dynamics, this program offers a supportive environment conducive to growth.
Tailored for Teens and Young Adults
Targeted at those navigating challenges such as social anxiety, autism, ADHD, or shyness, our program is rooted in evidence-based interventions that yield long-term results — with positive changes noted years after completion. Our goal is not just improvement but lasting transformation.
What’s in Store?
Participants will master essential skills, including:
Starting and maintaining conversations
Making and keeping friendships
Interpreting body language and non-verbal cues
Navigating social events and group settings
Building self-confidence and reducing anxiety
Our Unique Approach
Our sessions are split between:
Participant Sessions: Interactive and hands-on activities, including role-playing scenarios in a supportive environment.
Parent/Carer Sessions: Concurrent learning focuses on enabling caregivers to support their loved one's social journey at home.
Additional elements include weekly homework tasks and the optional participation in a farm-based social event, helping participants practice their skills in a fun, relaxed setting.
Why Choose Us?
Our course leaders, a design and technology teacher and a nurse practitioner, bring personal experience and understanding to the table, having navigated their own social challenges. This course is crafted with authenticity, respecting every individual's unique path to social ease.
Neurodiversity-Friendly Environment
As a disability-led enterprise, we're committed to a neurodiversity-friendly approach. We don't enforce eye contact or conformity — instead, we foster strategies that respect individual authenticity, creating a welcoming environment for everyone.
Ready to make a change? Contact us at admin@redivivus.com.au to begin your enrollment process with an intake form.
You can pay the deposit here:
For Teens (13-17yo)
For Young Adults (18-25yo)
Join Us on the Journey to Confidence
This program is more than skill-building; it’s about discovering and embracing your unique way of connecting with others. We eagerly anticipate accompanying you on this journey to social self-assurance and meaningful connections.
Garden Development
Getting started on the spring garden at Tinkers Farm. The long term plan is to run some workshops on healthy habits where we can pick and cook a healthy meal straight from the garden.
Can't wait to share our produce with you all.
Respectful Relationships at Tinkers Farm
Join Us for Respectful Relationships with Tinkers Farm!
Two Exciting Events This January!
Dive into a world of friendship and understanding as we explore the foundations of healthy relationships through fun activities and equine therapy!
Discover the power of nature and animals in navigating healthy relationships! Led by a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an experienced teacher, you’ll learn about trust, boundaries, consent, and empathy. Enhance your communication skills and conflict resolution strategies in a supportive environment.
For Teens (Ages 13-17)
Date: January 31, 2025
https://events.humanitix.com/respectful-relationships...
https://www.facebook.com/share/18AiEqAc1V/
For Kids (Ages 8-12)
Date: January 10, 2025
https://events.humanitix.com/respectful-relationships...
https://www.facebook.com/share/1ESEVddfwW/
Delicious Lunch Provided!
Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today and empower your child with essential relationship skills!
Inaugural Tasmanian Regional Development Champions 2024
We were honoured to have been a finalist in the Inaugural Tasmanian Regional Development Champions 2024 in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advocate category. It was a privilege to stand alongside so many inspiring advocates who are driving positive change in our communities.
https://rdatasmania.org.au/champs2024
Garden Supports
Want to support your plants and a local disability lead social enterprise at the same time?
Tinkers Farm make plant supports for your garden. They are available at Cape View Nursery in Sommerset and Edwards Landscape Supplies in Wynyard.
They are heavy steel and built to last.
We also make possum proof garden bed covers and a growing range of other products. Get in touch if there is something you would like.
Moosli and Clover
Exciting News from the Farm!
We have two new additions. We're thrilled to introduce our new calves. They are Jersey’s and the long term plan is to milk them. But they have a couple of years of growing to do yet.
They were born around the 10th of September.
Handy Skills
NEW Handyman on the block!
At Tinkers Farm we are all about building skills for a better life. So we are excited to offer a new service, Handy Skills.
It’s like a traditional handyman service, but if you choose to, you can learn the skills during the project.
Matt is a registered Design and Technology teacher and mighty good at fixing things. He’ll fix what needs fixing and show you how to save money by repairing things yourself.
We also do general handyman work without teaching if you just need the job done.
If you need something made or mended, send us a message or contact us through our website.
Loss on the Farm
As many of you were aware Trinket was due to have her first foal any day now. Unfortunately, having a farm and animals comes hand in hand with death far too often.
Trinkets foal was stillborn this morning. We can't be sure why but I suspect it had something to do with Trinket's hospital stay last month for peritonitis.
We named him Neo and he will be buried at the bottom of the food forest once Trinket has had her time to grieve.
The Healing Power of Horses: Understanding the Benefits of Equine Therapy
Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a form of experiential treatment involving interactions between patients and horses. This therapy has been gaining traction as an effective intervention for a variety of mental health issues, as well as physical and emotional rehabilitation. From improving emotional well-being to enhancing physical health, equine therapy offers a unique range of therapeutic benefits. Here’s a deeper look into how this innovative approach can make a profound impact on recovery and personal growth.
1. Emotional Awareness and Expression
One of the most significant benefits of equine therapy is its ability to help individuals understand and express their emotions. Horses are highly sensitive creatures, capable of picking up on human emotions and reacting to them. This feedback can be extremely valuable for therapists as they work with clients to reveal hidden feelings and patterns. Interacting with a horse can help individuals become more aware of their emotional state, leading to greater insight and self-awareness.
2. Developing Trust and Reducing Anxiety
Equine therapy requires patients to engage in trust-building activities with the horses, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with anxiety, trauma, and trust issues. The process of learning to handle and interact safely with such a large animal can enhance a person’s confidence and help reduce feelings of anxiety. As trust in the horse builds, it often translates into improved relationships with others.
3. Enhancing Social Skills
For those who struggle with social interactions, equine therapy offers a gentle and effective way to develop these skills. Activities in equine therapy often require cooperation and communication with both the horse and other participants, fostering a social environment that encourages development of new skills in a real-world setting. This can be particularly impactful for individuals with developmental disorders or mental health conditions that affect social skills.
4. Physical Health Benefits
Equine therapy isn’t just good for the mind; it also has numerous physical benefits. Caring for horses can improve balance, muscle strength, coordination, and overall physical fitness.
5. Building Life Skills
Beyond the direct interaction with horses, equine therapy includes caring for the animals, maintaining equipment, and performing various tasks around the barn. These responsibilities help develop a sense of responsibility and commitment. Additionally, setting and achieving goals, whether it’s successfully completing an obstacle course or developing a new skill, boosts self-esteem and promotes a growth mindset.
6. Immediate and Reflective Feedback
Horses react immediately to human behaviour and emotions, providing instant feedback that therapists and patients can use to gauge and adjust their behaviour. This direct feedback mechanism helps participants understand the consequences of their actions or emotional state in a straightforward, non-verbal manner. Reflecting on these interactions can lead to powerful insights and therapeutic breakthroughs.
Conclusion
Equine therapy offers more than just a novel treatment approach; it provides a multifaceted therapeutic environment that can address psychological, emotional, and physical needs. The connection formed with horses in this therapy not only aids in healing but also brings joy and a sense of accomplishment to those involved. Whether as part of a broader treatment plan or as a standalone therapy, the benefits of equine therapy continue to support its growing popularity as a profound and effective therapeutic tool.
Embracing Nature's Tranquillity: The Benefits of Mindfulness in the Great Outdoors
In our fast-paced, digitally-driven world, finding moments of peace can seem like a quest for the Holy Grail. Yet, one of the most effective escapes is not found in our devices or even within the walls of a spa, but out there in the lush, embracing arms of nature. Combining the serenity of natural environments with the practice of mindfulness can have profound effects on our well-being. Here’s why taking the time to immerse yourself in nature and engage in mindful practices is more than just a pleasant pastime—it’s a crucial component of your mental and physical health.
1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Nature inherently possesses calming properties. According to a series of studies, just spending time in a green space can lower stress hormone levels, enhance feelings of relaxation, and decrease anxiety. When you practice mindfulness in nature—whether it’s through deep breathing, walking meditations, or simply being present—you amplify these benefits. The natural world offers a unique setting that helps dissociate from daily stresses and fosters a state of peace.
2. Enhanced Mood and Boosted Happiness
The act of stepping outside not only lifts spirits but also scientifically boosts happiness. Exposure to sunlight increases the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin, which is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Combining sunlight with mindfulness and the peaceful setting of nature can elevate mood levels significantly, providing a natural antidote to feelings of depression or lethargy.
3. Improved Concentration and Cognitive Function
Nature and mindfulness are both celebrated for their ability to enhance cognitive functions. Engaging in mindful practices in a natural setting helps to clear the mind and improve concentration. Studies have shown that people who spend time in nature, or even view scenes of nature, exhibit increased concentration and improved memory performance. This is often referred to as the "restorative effect" of the natural environment.
4. Connection and Reflection
Being in nature provides a great opportunity for self-reflection and connection with the environment. Mindfulness encourages us to notice our surroundings and our internal responses to them without judgment. This practice can lead to deeper insights about our lives and our connection to the world. Such reflection can forge a deeper appreciation for our place within the natural world, enhancing our understanding of interconnectedness and ecological awareness.
5. Physical Health Benefits
Aside from mental and emotional advantages, nature coupled with mindfulness can contribute positively to physical health. Activities like mindful walking or yoga in a park can improve physical fitness, reduce blood pressure, enhance immune function, and increase overall vitality. This synergy of physical activity and mindful stillness harnesses the best of both worlds—energizing the body while calming the mind.
Conclusion
Making time for nature and mindfulness isn’t just a luxury—it’s a vital part of maintaining holistic health in a modern world. Whether it’s a quiet walk in the woods, a meditative moment in a city park, or a mindful breathing exercise under the open sky, the combination of these practices offers a powerful remedy to the chaos of everyday life. So next time you feel overwhelmed, remember that tranquillity might just be a few steps away, waiting where the pavement ends and the greenery begins.
Front Page
We love sharing what we do and were very excited to find we were on the front page of a local farming newspaper.
How ADHD diagnosis shaped a dream.
We had Sarah Fittock, a local Journalist, and Eve Woodhouse, photographer, visit the farm a couple of weeks ago. We love sharing with people what we do and it was a pleasure to have them visit and meet our horses.
Jasper
We are excited to announce that we added a new horse to the herd, Jasper.
Coping with change can be scary for humans and horses, and the introduction of a new horse to the herd is always unsettling. Luckily with a little time and a nice food distraction, he is settling in well.
We are looking forward to introducing him to clients in the near future.
Benefits of Nature
It is a well-established fact that humans evolved to spend time in green spaces and the benefits of doing so have been proven time and time again through various research studies. From improving mental health to reducing blood pressure, getting a dose of nature has amazing health benefits that cannot be denied.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6970969/
October
12 months down
It’s now been 12 months since we took a life changing 2 weeks holiday in Tasmania and made the decision to sell everything, move to the northwest and start our therapy farm.
As the year slowly starts to wind down we can reflect on the huge shift our lives have taken. 12 months ago we were living on a suburban block and this whole farm idea was just a dream. Now we’re living it.
I certainly can’t say it’s been an easy road. From finances to fences farms are hard work! There were times during winter I was unsure I would ever be warm again, but the animals always come first, and they won’t feed, water and clean their own paddocks, as much as I try to encourage them to.
From one pony and a dog we now have 33 quail, 15 chickens and 6 horses. Our infrastructure is building and our client base developing. We have loved meeting all the people along the way and are looking forward to another exciting year.
Radio Time
Radio time
We were on ABC Radio Tasmania this morning talking about our social event tomorrow and the programs we run. It's great to get our story out there and we're looking forward to meeting people tomorrow.
I am not usually one to put my self out in front of large numbers of people but this year has forced me to push my limits and it’s defiantly paying off.
August
Exciting times this month. We had two new horses join the herd. Amira is a 6yo chestnut Arab and Lady Ferguson is a Gypsy Cob Cross. We are very excited to get stuck into spring and sharing our farm with more people. That is after all why we started this adventure in the first place.
