About Headspace Adventures
Headspace Adventures is an adventure therapy programme for teenagers. Co-founded by Sinéad Pollock-Orr (Adventure Leader) and Dr David Coleman (Clinical Psychologist), it is designed to support teenagers who may be experiencing anxiety or low-self-esteem (and poor self-confidence). Headspace Adventures can help teenagers to think better, feel better and act better in all areas of their lives.
Over the course of a week, where they’ll live in the wilds of the Atlantic coast of Ireland, and experience real adventure, like coasteering, abseiling, kayaking and an overnight expedition, David and Sinéad intend to challenge them to reach to their limits…and a little beyond. We want them to experience the thrill, the satisfaction and the uplift that comes from facing some of their fears and overcoming them.
With our varied skills and expertise, and over 40 years combined experience of working with children and teenagers in therapeutic and outdoor education/adventure settings, we have created Headspace Adventures to give teenagers a chance to stop and think about their lives, their goals, their ambitions and their strengths.
Alongside the adventure, David will work therapeutically with the participants, over the course of the week, which can give them confidence and insight into what they can achieve in any aspect of their lives. David will have individual and group sessions, with all participants, focused on their personal development and dealing with stresses, anxieties and low self-esteem.
More than offering just adventure, excitement and fun, we want teenagers to go away from their week with us, with real insight into the person that they are, and the possibilities for their future.
Meet the Team
Sinéad Pollock Orr
Adventure Leader & Co-Founder
Sinéad Pollock Orr, one of the founders of Headspace Adventures, is an Outdoor Practitioner and Adventurer. She has 18 years experience of working with children, teenagers and adults through Outdoor Education and Adventure Sports, she has also worked alongside David Coleman on two TV series for RTE. Sinéad has been involved in creating and developing Outdoor programmes, such as ‘Compass’ by Coillte, where she worked alongside Godsil Education in writing and developing a strengths-based outdoor initiative. Working in an outdoor environment as an instructor and mentor, Sinéad’s natural empathy and positivity towards young people allows them to feel valued and to thrive. During the programme, Sinéad will lead the activities such as rock-climbing, abseiling, hill walks, coastal scrambles and camping skills for our expedition.
Dr David Coleman
Clinical Psychologist & Co-Founder
David Coleman, one of the founders of Headspace Adventures, is a Clinical Psychologist and Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Psychology, UCD. He specialises in working with children, teenagers and their families. David is one of Ireland’s best-known psychologists on foot of his TV programmes and regular radio slots on RTE. He also writes weekly for the Irish Independent newspaper. With over 20 years experience of working with teenagers, and having three teenage children of his own, he has seen and heard, at first hand, the stresses, joys and turbulence that characterise adolescence. David’s work with teenagers, in an adventure therapy setting, became an acclaimed and highly popular television series. Back working with Sinéad for the first time since that TV series, he’ll be taking part in the full week’s programme, looking after emotional and psychological wellbeing of the group and giving the participants real insight into their strengths and capabilities.
Some of the activities you can expect to be challenged with during your week with us…
Coasteering
Navigating the rocks, finding the best jumps…you’re gonna get wet!
Rock Climbing
How high can you go? Will you want to look down?
Hill-Walking
With some of the highest peaks in Ireland on our doorstep, we’ll be going up…
Camping
Body-boarding
Boady-boarding lets you feel the power and the thrill of the waves… Are you up for it?
Abseiling
When you’re at the top you have to get down…and abseiling is the most fun way!
I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to send Aisling on the Headspace Adventure camps, it has completely transformed her mindset, self-belief and self-confidence. Aisling has taken away so many learnings and tools and we are continually seeing these in the last two weeks. Prior to going on the camp, I had read out some of the reviews to Aisling, and the other day while out walking she told me she had initially thought they had to have been made up, however Aisling herself agrees she has come back a changed person and is the happiest she has been in a long time. Best of luck and continued success with the camps, it is a fantastic opportunity for teenagers. Thanks a million, to yourself and Sinead.
Firstly, thank you, we took on board all that you wrote – especially me. I have changed my approach and it has worked! Hannah had an absolutely brilliant time at your camp. She loved every single minute she spent with yourself and Sinead. She speaks about it all the time. Hannah came home a different person, something clicked with her. She decided to be more in control and proactive. We were shocked, but thrilled for her! It was a fantastic opportunity for her and she does realise this. It is absolutely not lost on her or us. We deeply appreciate the time, care support and kindness you showed Hannah.
PLEASE CONTACT US:
If you’d like more information about the Headspace Adventures camps, or if you’d like to enquire about availability for your son or daughter please click the button below to email David.
Teenagers
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