News and media releases from the Surrey Heartlands area
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Animal-assisted outreach supports young people facing anxiety in Surrey
Children and teenagers in Surrey who are living with anxiety and emotional challenges, are receiving specialist support through Elysian’s Outreach Provision.
Funded by the Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund, the service uses animals as a key part of helping young people feel safe, calm and supported.
The outreach team works with young people aged 7 to 19 who have been out of school for three months or more. Many find it difficult to leave their homes or take part in everyday activities because of anxiety or trauma.
Elysian’s friendly team visits young people where they feel most comfortable — usually at home or in their local community.
Sandy Riddle, Elysian’s Inclusion and Outreach Lead, talked about how they use “gentle, creative approaches — involving time with animals — to reduce anxiety and build trust".
These experiences help young people relax and take small steps toward reconnecting.
Claire Lawrence, Outreach Support Worker at Elysian, explained:
We meet each young person where they feel most comfortable.
Time spent with animals like “Gollum” the tenrec (a small mammal that, despite looking like a soft little hedgehog, isn’t a close relative) often helps them feel calmer and more open to support.
The service brings together the skills of therapists, educators, and support workers.
Jo Nunn, Strategic Lead for Quality Assurance and Compliance at Elysian, spoke about how they, “work closely with families and other professionals to create personalised plans that build confidence and encourage re-engagement with the wider world”.
Simon Brauner-Cave, Director of Mental Health at NHS Surrey Heartlands said:
This outreach work is, as one parent described, a lifeline.
Elysian’s caring, animal-assisted approach truly helps young people feel seen and supported.
During a visit last week (30 July), we saw how, through the programme, young people here are overcoming anxiety and getting back into the world. Looking to the future.
Elysian is confident that through the investment their programmes are receiving, they will be sustainable moving forward.
Parents and professionals across Surrey, including those in schools and social care, can make referrals.
Councillor Mark Nuti, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing & Public Health said:
Therapeutic approaches, including animal-assisted interventions, help break down barriers and ease anxiety.
Elysian offers a gentle, effective way to help young people move forward at their own pace.
Find out more about the Surrey Mental Health Investment Fund