insideKENT Magazine Issue 57 - December 2016 | Page 180

CHARITY KENT CHARITY PROFILE: Dandelion Time For some traumatised children and their families, therapy through animals is the only way to make them feel whole again. This month, insideKENT’s Lisamarie Lamb spoke to Kent-based charity Dandelion Time about how they help children overcome their past suffering and look to the future with hope. Dandelion Time’s ducks and hens Meet the donkeys Woody and Ed, and Tilly the intrepid cat Dandelion Time’s guinea pigs What is it that Dandelion Time does exactly, and why is it so important? Dandelion Time is a Kent-based charity for children and their families struggling with trauma, often arising from physical or emotional abuse, neglect and domestic violence. The charity provides practical farm-based activities and therapeutic services to help children overcome past suffering, develop confidence and selfesteem, and discover a new and positive path to follow. Dandelion Time’s work is vital as it offers a sheer potential for lasting changes in those affected by trauma. What makes you unique? The fact that we work with the whole family. We offer therapy for the parents and the child so that every member of the family can work together to make lasting changes. The charity is based on a farm, and the natural world and art-based therapy are the perfect cocoon to help our children and families. 180 What is the charity’s history? Dandelion Time was founded by Dr Caroline Jessel who was a GP in Sutton Valence back in 2003. Dr Jessel saw a need from parents who had difficulties raising their child due to traumatic situations at home and thought the natural world could unleash some the traumas. Working with animals in a peaceful setting are key elements to the therapy. How many people have you helped over the years? We help about 150 families per year. This number has grown over the years. What are your aims? To open another satellite like Dandelion Time in a different part of Kent. We are also training professionals in ‘the Dandelion Time method’ which has been accredited by many professional bodies.