Mental Health & Wellbeing

Our rural environment, and our experienced and qualified staff, offer a unique opportunity for nurturing young people.

Who can benefit

We particularly help young people who are experiencing:

School refusing
Trauma
Anxiety
Bereavement
ADHD
ASD
Challenging behaviour

About a third of our intake would benefit from mental health intervention, many of them urgently. We gather as much information as possible on referral, liaising with families, schools and other agencies, and the student’s EHCP.

“Longlands has helped me 100%”

Our programme

We engage new students in activities, particularly with animals from the pet guinea pigs to the ponies, cattle and sheep on the farm. The calming rural environment and company of the animals are proven to have a therapeutic benefit. We also offer art and craft sessions and therapeutic drawing and talking.

Developing a rapport with new students and building trusting relationships, often one-to-one, is our priority. We believe in small, achievable steps and work towards building a student’s confidence and self-belief, and helping them to re-engage with life and education. We ensure that young people receive a holistic approach tailored to the individuals needs.

Experienced and caring staff

All our staff have wide experience and training in young people on the autistic spectrum.

In addition we have a specialist therapeutic practitioner, Beth Miller. She works one-to-one with students, exploring personal development, relationships and emotional wellbeing, and includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She liaises closely with schools and families, offering them practical and emotional help, and can act as advocate for students when needed.

Our staff all have regular external clinical supervision, supporting and advising them on their work with students.

A recent student says

“Longlands has helped me 100%. I’ve never experienced anything else like it. ”