A unique mobile sand therapy unit for children and young people begins operating in Rēzekne

The charity association “Tavi draugi,” together with SIA “Systemic Psychotherapy Centre,” continues implementing the unique project “Creation of a Mobile Sand Therapy Unit and Provision of Sand Therapy in the Regions of Latvia.” As part of the project, for the next two months, children attending the Rēzekne preschool educational institution “Vinnijs Pūks,” who have been recommended for this method by specialists, will receive sand therapy services free of charge.

The target group for sand therapy is children and young people up to 18 years of age, who receive the service in a safe and trust-based environment. The service is provided free of charge in accordance with specialists’ recommendations. Within the framework of the project, it is currently available only to those children in the Rēzekne target group who have been registered to participate.

The goal of the project “Creation of a Mobile Sand Therapy Unit and Provision of Sand Therapy in the Regions of Latvia” is to develop and implement an innovative mobile support service that provides sand therapy to children in Latvia’s regions who have experienced peer violence, as well as children with harmful sexual behaviour, according to their specific needs. The aim is to prevent repeated violence and reduce the long-term consequences caused by violence.

Since last summer, the mobile sand therapy unit has already provided support to children in Zemgale, including Lapmežciems and Trikāta in Vidzeme, as well as Alsunga and Ēdole in Kurzeme, while also supporting and cooperating with parents and teachers. In total, the project plans to support at least 60 children and adolescents.

“The sand play therapy method has broad application and is highly effective on an individual level, which is particularly important for children and adolescents who have experienced violence. The number of support specialists in more remote regions of Latvia is insufficient, and waiting times for services are often not appropriate for the specific needs of victims of violence or children with harmful sexual behaviour. Emotional and psychological support of this kind should be provided as quickly as possible and as close to home as possible, which we are able to ensure through the mobile sand therapy unit,” says Ilze Žilde, head of the Systemic Psychotherapy Centre.

Children and young people in the project’s target group also require a multidisciplinary approach, combining psychological, educational, and social support in order to effectively address problems and help them overcome difficulties. Daira Jonase, a sand play therapy practitioner, explains: “The selection of children for the mobile sand therapy project was carried out in cooperation with municipal social services, associations, and social workers in educational institutions who work with victims of violence. We are grateful for the responsiveness of the municipality and educators and appreciate the opportunity to help children in Rēzekne, improving their quality of life in the long term.”

Alongside its widely known support work for Ukraine, the charity association “Tavi draugi” continues helping people facing difficulties here in Latvia as well. “The creation of the mobile sand therapy unit is one of the ways we can help children and young people in parts of Latvia where access to the necessary support and specialists is insufficient, with the involvement of professionals. This is an innovative project on the Baltic scale, and together with specialists we hope to continue developing and expanding it throughout Latvia,” says Ulvis Noviks, head of “Tavi draugi.”

The project “Creation of a Mobile Sand Therapy Unit and Provision of Sand Therapy in the Regions of Latvia” is being implemented within measure 4.3.6.4 “Development and implementation of support instruments to strengthen family functionality” and is funded by the ESF+ and the state budget. The charity association “Tavi draugi” is responsible for the content of this press release.