Frequently Asked Questions

 
Why this name?
Dandelion was chosen as representing a part of the living world that most children can identify and associate with fun. Dandelion plants also have therapeutic and nutritional value. The use of the word Time while echoing the use of Dandelion seed heads as clocks also reflects the fact that many people have less time than they would like for important activities such as eating together and preparing proper meals – we encourage families to make time for what is most important for their collective health and well being.

How do children get on the programme?                                                   Usually children are referred via the school or social services. Many but not all have been excluded from school. Sometimes they come via the health services for children with mental health problems. Occasionally children are identified via the criminal justice system.

What age group do you take?                                                                           Our aim is to help address problems as young as possible (from aged 7) but recently (due to strong demand) we have started a separate programme for teenagers aged 14-16.

How is the charity funded?
Funding comes partly from grants which we apply for from other foundations, partly from direct fundraising and partly from fees paid by statutory bodies. The latter funding currently provides for only 35% of our needs. Dandelion plans to grow and expand over the next few years so is trying to raise extra funds to develop the site and recruit and train more staff.

How many children do you help?
Over a year we can help about 80 children and plan to expand this.

What are the results?
In terms of getting children back to school we have a success rate of around 80% but we also assess the impact on well being, family functioning, physical health and social functioning. These all improve on the programme – often very dramatically. Our outcomes have been shown to have been sustained 3 years after the programme has ended.

What are the potential long term benefits to society?
The human benefits of improving family stability, educational chances and reducing the risk of addiction and crime are immeasurable. However we are often asked about the cost benefits of our work. We currently estimate the cost of helping one child to turn their life around to be £5000. Set that against the cost of one young person aged between 15 and 17 in custody which costs the country an average of £75,000 each per annum. In addition it is estimated that the impact of their crime on others equates to another £20,000 each. The current cost of supporting those unable to work is £8000 per year and for those with long term mental health needs it rises to £12,000 per year. These figures do not include additional impacts on health and other services. The investment in prevention is clearly cost effective.

Can you help children with Aspergers, ADHD and other neuro-developmental disorders?
At Dandelion there are no specific exclusion criteria – the only barrier to access is unwillingness to engage. Because our approach helps to rebalance neurobiological processes and therapeutically addresses the harm done by trauma to the developing brain we believe children with most types of developmental difficulties can benefit. We always perform our own assessment on every child and where we identify specific problems we may also seek external advice.

What is different about Dandelion and the way you work?
We work with the whole family and tackle issues that have been around for generations, and not just the symptom bearer (child). Our focus is on the value and modelling provided by the natural world, cooking and eating good food, enjoying exercise and getting outside. We work therapeutically with families whilst they are together, working and playing on the project. Children are not aware they are undergoing therapy and frequently neither are the parents. We make use of subtle role modelling and gently challenge negative behaviour.

In wet weather we make use of other creative activities, crafts, woodwork, painting and music. Our aim is to effectively communicate with children who have been damaged and help them to find a natural way of developing healthy brain activity, building confidence and generated positive relationships.


Why are craftwork, gardening and farming important in your work?
We have no electronic devices in the therapeutic arena – often children forget all about their mobile phones as they become absorbed in these activities which engage their whole minds and bodies. They also involve delayed gratification which is modelled by the patience needed to harvest a crop from first sowing a seed, or raising a young chick to the stage when they can lay an egg. By helping them to understand the importance of seasons and natural rhythms children can slow down and start to appreciate longer term goals.