Staff are able to deliver a mix of up to six programmes to students – “Talk Time”, Talk Time 2”, “TOPS” (Teaching Other People they are Significant), GAG (Get-a-Grip), COCO (Chill Out, Cool Off), and ECHOeS (Enabling Children the Opportunity to Succeed). These are in addition to individual counselling, training opportunities for teaching support staff and participation in School Assemblies.

“Talk Time” provides an opportunity for a young person to book their own appointment to speak with a Fegans worker and spend just fifteen minutes to talk through their anxieties and concerns. “Talk Time” is available in Tunbridge Wells, Lambeth, Thanet and Heathfield.

“Talk Time 2” is an extension of Talk Time, where children can arrange thirty minute appointments over a period of several weeks to receive emotional support, and encouragement to work through specific difficulties. “Talk Time 2” is available in Tunbridge Wells, Lambeth, Thanet and Heathfield.

“TOPS” is a ten week course designed for groups of around six children aimed to help those experiencing low self-esteem. “TOPS” is available in Tunbridge Wells, Lambeth, Thanet and Heathfield.

“GAG”, designed in 2001 and successfully launched at the beginning of 2002, operates in senior schools with students aged around 13/14 and looks at choices around relationships, drugs, alcohol, sex and other issues facing young teenagers today. “GAG” is available in Tunbridge Wells.

“COCO” was designed and introduced during 2003. This course is aimed at boys who have difficulty coping with their anger, and is provided to groups of around four over a ten week period. “COCO” is available in Tunbridge Wells, and Heathfield.

“ECHOeS” was another group activity designed and introduced into schools in early 2003. Its aim is to help children at risk of failing in their transition from junior to senior school. The course commences in year six, and transfers with the child to senior school, supporting the child through a period which many find very daunting. “Echoes” is available in Tunbridge Wells.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING

Individual counselling is provided to children in both junior and senior schools. Children present a very varied mix of scenarios ranging from loss, phobias, relationships with parents and peers, suicidal tendencies to sexuality and sexual relationships. Often, a common thread behind the presenting issues and resulting behavioural difficulties is breakdown within the family unit.

The demand for counselling within the school environment has grown rapidly over recent years. We are privileged to be welcomed into so many schools and to have earned the respect of teaching staff and children alike.

Parental authority is required for the child to meet with a Fegans counsellor but all issues discussed (except child protection and potential self-harm) remain confidential between counsellor and pupil. Individual counselling in schools is available in Tunbridge Wells, and Thanet.

The most recent review undertaken with the schools has proved an overwhelming endorsement of the significant impact for good that these activities have on the lives of the children who have participated, and the knock on benefit for the teaching staff and schools.

School Assemblies

It is likely that the majority of children attending school today have never been inside a church or to a Sunday School. There are tremendous opportunities for Christians to promote the Gospel in schools, especially as it forms part of the school curriculum: far better for a Christian with a personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus to undertake this task than a non-Christian reading from a book! Fegans undertakes school Assemblies on a regular basis in a number of primary schools in Tunbridge Wells, Heathfield, and Thanet. Each time the theme has a clear Christian message which is delivered in a lively, interactive, manner to seek to engage the children.