Discovery Group

Referral Criteria:

The group is for young people aged 13-16 and:

• do not already receive mental health support OR who are on a waiting list for mental health support
• experiencing low mood and / or anxiety
• experiencing low self-esteem or confidence
• experiencing loneliness and isolation
• disconnected from peers and their community

We accept referrals from professionals working with the young person and self referrals from families.

Referrals are currently closed

About Discovery Group

Discovery Group is a 6 week occupational therapy group that uses meaningful activities to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being in individuals. This approach aims to help young people develop new skills, increase independence, and improve their quality of life.

Participation in the Discovery group will:

• give young people a greater understanding of how participation in meaningful activity can influence their health
• increase their awareness of occupational roles and routine
• help them to make positive changes to their routine
• provide young people with the opportunity to explore a variety of activities
• help improve young people’s confidence in social situations. 

Young people who complete this programme will receive certifications through the AQA Unit Award Scheme to demonstrate their learning and achievement

The Discovery group offers the opportunity for young people to identify what works for them and how services can support them as individuals. All activities within the Discovery group programmes are chosen and led by participants and will shape what future support will look like.

It is suitable for people with:

• Poor confidence in their ability to make changes.
• Difficulties making changes due to ingrained habits or multiple role demands.
• Restricted experience of a range of occupational roles.
• Limited knowledge about the impact of occupation and health and wellbeing.
• Reduced social support for making changes.

Each programme is tailored to the participants attending. Topics and activities include:

Why Occupational Therapy?

Because you are a unique person your Occupational Therapy plan will be specific to your needs and priorities.

• Occupational Therapists understand how neurodiversity and the set up of the world and community can impact a person’s ability to do the things that are important for them.
• They understand how activity and health are interlinked, and work with people to maintain the life roles and activities that support their health and wellbeing.
• They use evidence-based information in their practice to enable people to live their lives in a way that is meaningful and satisfying for them.
• They take a person-centred approach which emphasises a person’s strengths and personal preferences.
• They recognise and promote the rights of people of all abilities to participate in the activities of everyday life.

This project is funded by South Norfolk and Broadland Health and Wellbeing Partnerships

Health and Wellbeing Partnership Action Statement:
This group meets the action statement for mental health and wellbeing by increasing quality of life and incorporating community group activities as well as resilient and healthy communities through the activities in the group encouraging participation in local community and neighbourhoods and personal resilience through discovering what matters to the individual young person to keep them healthy.  In addition to this this group supports access and prevention as it aims to reduce loneliness in young people.