Self-care retreats and HerSpace for teenage girls (360G-OCF-A499191)

Ark-T has been piloting a 'self-care retreat for teenage girls' over the past year. Each retreat has been oversubscribed; we need further staffing to run these retreats with further capacity during school holidays in 2019. The retreats range from 1 day to 5 days. The demand for the retreats has been overwhelming with waiting lists. This is an innovative programme for Oxfordshire and nationally, championing the idea that 'self-care' doesn't need to be exclusively for the more affluent demographic. Women of all ages benefit from self-care, especially teenage girls facing socio-economic and mental health challenges. Self-care retreats have included; yoga, meditation, mindfulness, self expression through art, sound portraits, healthy eating/nutrition, outdoor activities such as sensory walks, nature based therapeutic interventions. Ark-T also runs 'HerSpace' an afterschool term-time club for 12 to 18 year old teenage girls, this is oversubscribed and understaffed. Funding for HerSpace from The Wates Foundation ends in June 2019, we are seeking alternative funding for 2019. HerSpace workshop participants develop practical art and design skills which could lead to employment opportunities, build arts and social leadership skills, project management, communication skills, time-management skills and learn about physical and nutritional health creatively.