Hunter Valley Children's Therapies

25/11/2025

We are very excited to share the details of a new group program being offered at HVCT in January 2026.

This is an exciting collaboration between Hunter Valley Children's Therapies and A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology.

🌿🐴 Trail Talk: An Equine Experience – Jan 21 & 22, 2026 🐴🌿

This will be a unique two-day outdoor program designed to help children build confidence, communication, and connection in a supportive, nature-based environment.

📅 Dates:

Day 1 – Wednesday 21 January 2026: Foundations & Engagement

Day 2 – Thursday 22 January 2026: Building Confidence & Generalisation

📍 Hosted on our beautiful rural property and facilitated by Speech Pathologists from A Growing Understanding and Accredited Social Workers/Counsellors from HVCT, ensuring a trauma-sensitive, evidence-based approach.

💬 What to expect:
Participants will engage in outdoor and animal-assisted activities that encourage communication, emotional growth, and connection.

⚠️ Spots are limited to ensure a supportive and trauma-sensitive environment grounded in evidence-based practice.

📌 For more information, visit: https://www.agrowingunderstanding.com.au/our-services/kids-group-programs/trail-talk-equine-experience/

📞 To register or make an enquiry, complete the form online or call A Growing Understanding Speech Pathology at (02) 4044 1122.

Give your young person the chance to grow, connect, and thrive in this one-of-a-kind equine and nature-based experience!

Trail Talk: An Equine Experience is a two-day therapeutic program designed to build communication, interaction, and social confidence in children aged 8–12 years.

22/11/2025

Nadine had the opportunity to help spread the word about the horsomness of Nature Based and Equine Assisted Therapies at the Experiential Practices summit yesterday, at Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie.

17/11/2025

Beyond Boundaries
Join Nature Based Therapies Australia for the Beyond Boundaries 6-day Training in March, 2026. This comprehensive hybrid learning program is designed to equip therapists with the practical resources and clinical skills to safely, ethically and effectively incorporate principles of Ecotherapy into their current clinical practice, whilst ensuring compliance with leading regulatory bodies.

The 4-day intensive at Wangat Lodge in Dungog, NSW is enhanced by 2 full days of dynamic, interactive online learning.
Date: 16th to 19th March, 2026
Time: From 8:30am Monday to 4:00pm Thursday
Location: Wangat Lodge, 1938 Chichester Dam Rd, Dungog NSW 2420
Facilitator: Hosted by Sue Jakes & Mauro Vieira
Price: $2,950 (incl GST)
More info: https://naturebasedtherapies.com.au/training/

22/10/2025

REMINDER ...... Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) Nature Based therapies interest group is a great way of staying connected and widening your network in the Nature based Therapies space.

The next meeting is on Thursday 30th October where the fabulous Peta Lowe (who is also one of our horsome practitioners here at HVCT) will share her incredible experience of supporting those who serve:
Equine Assisted Practitioner Training in the Ukraine.

It's FREE to join and we' love to see you there.
https://mhpn.org.au/members/ #/Network/97578

REMINDER ...... Mental Health Professionals Network (MHPN) Nature Based therapies interest group is a great way of staying connected and widening your network in the Nature based Therapies space.

The next meeting is on Thursday 30th October where the fabulous Peta Lowe will share her incredible experience of supporting those who serve: Equine Assisted Practitioner Training in the Ukraine.

Cherry on top ....... it's always free to join in! We' love to see you there.

https://mhpn.org.au/members/ #/Network/97578

10/10/2025

🌿 World Mental Health Day 2025 💚🌿

Fonzie and Nadine had the privilege of a brief chat with the Newcastle Herald in the lead-up to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo tomorrow, and shared a little about how "being outside is good for our insides".

If you happen to be at the expo tomorrow, please swing by and say hi to some of our human and canine crew. You'll find us outside, sharing a patch of grass with our friends from Valley Psychology and Nature Based Therapies Australia.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo is at the Newcastle Racecourse from 9:30am – 3:30pm, tomorrow (Saturday) and entry is free!

05/10/2025

🌿 We’re excited to announce! 🌿

Hunter Valley Children’s Therapies will be attending the Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo this come Saturday, 11th October, at the Newcastle Racecourse

🕤 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
💰 Entry is FREE!

Come along, explore the amazing range of local services and supports available in our community, and say hi to our friendly team, including some of our 4-legged crew 👋
We’d love to chat about how we support children and families across the Hunter region.

✨ It’s a great day to connect, learn, and celebrate wellbeing!

We can’t wait to see you there 💙

21/09/2025

In support of two of our local colleagues, Peta Lowe from Pegasus Connections and Jodie Riddock from Stable Surroundings, we share the details here of a local screening of the Horse Aid’s documentary
‘The Healing’

Date: 2nd November
Location: Branxton Hall

The tickets available via Ticketbo covers a snack box and a drink (there may even be some popcorn)

https://www.ticketebo.com.au/branxton-rsl-sub-branch-and-mid-hunter-defence-buddies/screening-of-the-healing-movie-in-support-of-veterans-health-wellbeing-with-light-refreshments?fbclid=IwY2xjawM9XfhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFhYVVuYVpQWGIxTnR3cnRkAR6ej5sXnZRMjEcvatHfzNE_U5fmo1Ifie9asEodsh_WSqx2LpkQHMCecffgwQ_aem_78GYkUMJvaZRtybF5rh_Mw

Hope to see you there.

Screening of “The Healing” movie with Guest speakers & light refreshments included.

19/09/2025

Recent changes to NDIS legislation mean the NDIA no longer has to consider the evidence you provide - like your own written account, and reports from your allied health providers (eg your Therapists) or GP.

Instead, decisions will be based on internal assessments, potentially undertaken by people with little to no experience in the disability space, who don't know you and are working within a system aimed at putting people's needs into funding 'boxes' that might not reflect your real-world needs.

PLEASE consider signing this petition. It takes less than 1 minute to have your say.

⚖️ Help protect fair NDIS assessments
Recent changes to NDIS legislation mean the NDIA no longer has to consider the evidence you provide - like your own written account, and reports from your OT, psychologist, or GP.
Instead, decisions will be based on internal assessments that might not reflect your real-world needs.
This petition asks Parliament to change Section 32L so that participant medical reports are taken into consideration during NDIS needs assessments.
🖊️ Sign the petition:
EN7545 – Allow NDIS participants to submit their own professional reports
https://www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/petition/EN7545
📩 Don’t forget to confirm your signature by email.

[Image description: A clipboard with a sheet of paper and a pen resting on the side. The text on the paper reads: "Sign the Petition: Allow NDIS participants to submit their medical reports." Below that, a red circle highlights the text: "Closing date for signatures is 24 September." The Every Australian Counts logo appears at the bottom.]

11/09/2025

Sue and Nadine, from Nature Based Therapies Australia had the pleasure of joining Harrison Kirkwood, on his podcast Beyond the Divide, sharing their experiences and exploring how evidence-based therapies, with nature as the co-facilitator, can assist and support clients from diverse backgrounds to regain a renewed sense of self.
Take a listen here....

Nadine Delaney is a mental health social worker. Sue Jakes is a registered psychologist.

Together, they are the co-founders of Nature Based Therapies Australia – an organisation providing professional development opportunities to practitioners in the nature-based therapies sector.

In this final episode, Beyond the Divide draws on their experience and explores how evidence-based therapies, with nature as the co-facilitator, can assist and support clients from a diverse background to regain a renewed sense of self.

Beyond the Divide is a series of conversations highlighting the challenges and contributions of people with a disability in Singleton ✨️

This podcast is an initiative of Singleton Council’s Access and Inclusion program which aims to promote a sense of connection and belonging for everyone in the community 🙌🏼

Tune into Beyond the Divide on 👇🏽

🟢 Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/4Y5yNeu3GGuGbtdJASe5ke?si=53fef4499b2d4f9d
🍏 Apple Podcasts 👉🏼 https://rss.com/podcasts/beyond-the-divide
🟩 Council’s website 🔗www.singleton.nsw.gov.au/beyondthedivide

01/09/2025

🌿 2-DAY SCHOOL HOLIDAY GROUP PROGRAM FOR TEENS! 🎨

📅 1st + 2nd Oct @ Hunter Valley Children's Therapies

📍 Sawyers Gully

Looking for a fun, creative and inclusive group program this school holidays?

Join us for an unforgettable 2-day program designed especially for teens — where nature, art, and animals come together!

✨ What’s in store?
🌲 Time outside with a welcoming and inclusive group
🎨 Creative expression and art projects
🐴 Time with our equine and animal friends
🔥 Campfire chats & nature-based activities

🧒 Ages: 13 – 21

🕘 Time: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM each day

🍎 All meals and materials provided!

REGISTERED NDIS PROVIDER

Spots are limited – book now to secure your place!

📩 admin@hvct.com.au

Let's connect, create and have lots of fun 💚

01/09/2025

🌿🐾 School Holidays are coming! 🐾🌿

As we begin to plan our next School Holiday Group Programs, we’re taking a moment to pause and reflect on some of the super fun times we’ve shared over the years… 💚✨

For more than 10 years, Hunter Valley Children’s Therapies has been creating unforgettable holiday experiences—supporting hundreds of children and young people to:

🌳 Spend 2 days outside, surrounded by nature
🐴 Connect with animals in safe, nurturing ways
😊 Share laughter and fun with peers and supportive adults
💛 Feel safe, be themselves, and build lasting memories

Our programs are more than just activities—they’re about connection, growth, and joy.

👉 Give us a shout if you'd like the details of our upcoming programs. Spots always fill quickly, so get ready!

21/08/2025

The petition ....