CHAMPS

Cahoots Hearts And Minds Program

What is CHAMPs?
What To Expect
Program Details
Register your Interest
FAQs

CHAMPs: Holistic Integrated Arts Therapy

Run in the Perth Metro and South West regions, the Cahoots Hearts and Minds Program (CHAMPs) is an innovative holistic art program, designed to improve mental and emotional health amongst children and youth living with a disability or at disadvantage.

These workshops are for young artists aged 7-13 and must attend with a parent, support worker, or other responsible person. These workshops run on a weekly basis after school during the school term and bookings are ESSENTIAL.

Key benefits

Practice mindfulness
Learn positive mental health and self-regulatory practices
Explore feelings that may be difficult to put into words
Express their creativity and imagination
Develop better communication skills

Key information

Who: Kids aged 7 to 13 accompanied by a guardian.
When: After school from 3:30-5:00 or 5:15pm. Days and end times vary depending on location.
Where: South West locations are Bunbury and Eaton. Perth Metro locations are Beechboro and Hilton.

What To Expect

Arrive at your CHAMPS location and meet the friendly facilitators.

We pride ourselves on having a friendly and trained team, who will greet you and explain any concerns you may have. You will also meet the other participants who will become great friends by the end of the session!

Mindfulness, self regulation & relaxation techniques

Our participants are guided through a series of activities to help improve self regulation, social skills, coping strategies and positive mental health practices.

Get started on the activity

Our facilitators will explain the art activity we have prepared for the day, however there is plenty of artistic freedom to work on what suits you! The activities range from painting, sculpting, weaving, music, dance and mindfulness.

Explore the meaning of your artwork and feelings.

Guided by our trained holistic art facilitators, they will talk through the elements within your art, whether that be gratitude, happiness, sadness or any other emotional discussion.

Take your piece of art home with you!

All our activities conclude in you taking home your very own creation, something you can keep to remember the valuable lessons you learnt during the session.

Free to the community

Designed by qualified Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapists (Mbe HICAT Prac)

Fun, relaxing and social

Designed to use a variety of artistic tools

Culturally safe and appropriate

Program Details

CHAMPS South West

We run CHAMPS programs in Eaton and Bunbury. These FREE workshops are designed to be fun, expressive, and a great way for young artists to get creative. Bookings are ESSENTIAL.

Eaton sessions run on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm starting February 13th until April 3rd.

Bunbury sessions run on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:15pm from February 11th until April 1st.

Register Your Interest for South West CHAMPS

CHAMPS Perth Metro

We run CHAMPS programs in Hilton and Beechboro. These FREE workshops are designed to be fun, expressive, and a great way for young artists to get creative. Bookings are ESSENTIAL.

Hilton and Beechboro sessions run on Thursdays from 3:30-5:15pm from February 13th until April 3rd.

Register Your Interest for Perth Metro CHAMPS

Register Your Interest

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Our Supporters

Making our life changing work possible.

Get Involved as a Supporter

Families Supported By Cahoots

Mikayla

Cahoots has helped Mikayla in so many ways I couldn’t even begin to describe it. One of the biggest ones is being socially appropriate in environment outside the home. That has been the biggest help for me. As now I can take her out, and she knows how to behave not only appropriately but safely. Also interacting with other children naturally she is not a sociable person and this is helped her to socialise with children her own age. It’s also helped her with her balance and gross motor skills with arts and craft and the activities that you do. For example bowling and parks.

Bronwyn

Thank you for taking Bronwyn to Melbourne, she hasn't stopped talking about it! She has crossed another place off her map of future travels (believe me, it's a big list!!), and told many stories about the fun she had. For me, this has been the highlight and warms my soul every time I think about it.

She gave her little sister a pep talk where she told her, “you just have to face your fear and do things sometimes, as I did in Melbourne, I went out on the sky deck and did the chair ride with Shelley, I was scared but you have to face your fears, you can't let it hold you back.”

Bronwyn loves attending camp with Cahoots, she has the best time. Thank you for all the fun and adventures you send her on. She loves living life and wants to experience everything, we appreciate you helping that happen for her.

Siblings Alexandra and Andrew

“Alexandra has just been on the most recent teens camp last weekend and loved it, plus she made a friend!!! So happy for her and she really wants to attend again. Andrew loved the camp as well and can’t wait to come back!” - Mum Rikki

Anonymous volunteer

I just want to say thank you to you and the whole Cahoots team for giving me the opportunity to volunteer on the camps. I really enjoyed the young adults camp and had an amazing time. I am still new in the industry. This gave me a great learning experience, and I will carry my knowledge on.

Thank you again for everything and for all you have provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to register?

Yes. Registration is essential so we can ensure we have enough staff and equipment.

Can we attend all sessions?

Yes, absolutely! We often find that once participants start, they can’t wait to come back so you are more than welcome to register for the whole term.

Do we need to stay with the participant?

Yes. All participants must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, support worker or other responsible person. You are most welcome to join in the fun as well.

Is it free?

Yes. The CHAMPS program is totally free, and we are very grateful to Telethon, who proudly support this great initiative.

Can siblings attend together?

Yes. You are more than welcome to bring other members of the family who would also like to participate in the art activities.

To view the Cahoots Policy & Procedures click here.

Not sure what is best for your child?

Our experienced Family Relationship Officers can assist you in choosing the camps and programs best suited to your loved one. Call today and begin the onboarding process!

You can also head to our Eligibility Page.

Contact Us Today