Pleasant Sense Farm
Sustainability. Therapy. Connect.
Nature Mentoring Program
Nature offers benefits to our growth and development in ways that man-made interventions can’t compare! Just by being in nature can be extremely therapeutic for both children and adults. It is also known to improve mental and/or physical health.
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What is our Nature Mentoring Program?
Trained Kidz Coach, Tanya, provides one-to-one mentoring sessions focusing on nature-based activities and connecting with the environment.
The mentoring sessions also help to develop the participant’s:
Relationship with Nature
Coordination, Balance and Strength
Resilience and Problem Solving
Awareness of their Environment
Team Building Skills
Sustainable Living Practices
All sessions are tailored to each person’s needs, goals and interests. Sessions consist of nature-based activities, nature exploration and nature play to develop social skills, emotional regulation and communication skills. Tanya uses the four modalities of Connect, Empower, Play and Grow developed by Nichole Hamilton at Children's Safe Space. Tanya intuitively supports children, youth or people with special needs by helping them feel safe, empowered and to be their authentic self in a natural and peaceful environment.
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What do sessions involve?
Sessions go for roughly 90 minutes, depending on the participant’s needs and interests. All nature mentoring sessions take place at the farm. The first half hour we usually work on a farm chore where it teaches responsibility, discipline and structure. The last hour is student-led. They decide if they want to spend that time with the animals, create some crafts, go for a walk, play or just sit in the quiet and have a conversation!
During our mentoring sessions, participant’s can absorb themselves in nature and all that the farm has to offer. This leaves them feeling more connected, grounded and calm.
Our mentoring sessions include a wide range of experiences and activities depending on the client’s interests and preferences, weather conditions and what's available on the farm at the time.
Some examples of nature-based experiences and activities can include:
Pebble Art and Nature Crafts
Sensory Walks
Patting and Feeding the Animals
Gardening
Planting and Taking Care of Vegetables
Taking the Donkey and Goat for a Walk
Recycling and Composting
Worm Farming
Rock Hopping and Exploring the Terrain
Exploring the Fairy Garden
Wild Animal Spotting
Mindfulness and Meditation
Collecting Chicken Eggs
Cooking and Making Meals from the Garden
Animal Breathing (Yoga Breathing Techniques)
Campfire Cooking (Seasonal)
Milking the Cows
Collecting Wood
Helping with Farm Chores
Education on Sustainability and Permacultures
Most of the time sessions are held outdoors so participants will need to be suitably dressed for the weather conditions and prepared to get a bit grubby! Activities are also dependent on what's available on the farm at the time.
Most importantly, Tanya allows participants to be guided by their own curiosity. They learn basic skills through play and discovery, risk-taking, collaboration and using their own intuition.
Face to face mentoring sessions are suitable for children, youth, people with special needs or adults of all ages. Participants with NDIS plans and independently funded clients are also welcome.
Children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety or an inability to regulate emotions also can benefit from this program. It’s also for those who don’t mind doing some physical activity, being outdoors in nature, improving their motor skills and experiencing new challenges.
For NDIS participants, Tanya works with the individual’s NDIS plan to achieve their specific goals and outcomes.
Our pricing for mentoring services are in alignment with the NDIS Price Guide 2024/25, which can be downloaded here. Fees will vary depending on the budget category and days and times you are wanting the support for.
Download our full ‘Schedule or Rates for Therapy, Mentoring and Support’ here.
Please refer to our NDIS page here for further information or feel free to contact us to find out more.
We offer a free ‘experience’ session at Pleasant Sense Farm for individuals and their parents/carer to meet us and explore some of the property. This is to find out if the Mentoring Program will be the right fit for the child and their family.
Bookings can be made for mornings, afternoons, after-school or weekends depending on availability.
If you would like to make a referral for the Mentoring Program at Pleasant Sense Farm, you can either:
- Submit an online Referral Form using this link
- Complete the Referral Form on paper then email to mentoring@pleasantsense.com.au
- Phone Tanya Harry on 0448 557 329
Pleasant Sense Farm acknowledges the traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. Pleasant Sense Farm pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
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