About SELFA
Our Vision
A community where all children and young people are celebrated and know they belong.
Our Mission
To support children and families experiencing vulnerabilities, to build resilience, thrive and achieve.
Our services
- Health and wellbeing programmes
- Peer support groups
- Targeted holiday workshops
- Trips and residential breaks
Our objectives
- Encourage independent
- Support positive relationships
- Build self-esteem
- Give children a sense of belonging
- Build resilience
- Promote aspirations
- Improve wellbeing
Our History
SELFA was set-up in 2007 as ‘Skipton Extended Learning for All’ (Registered Charity Number 1124020) by Chief Officer, Emma Pears. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and now supports over 400 children and young people aged 4-25. SELFA has a packed calendar, including a range of health and wellbeing programmes, peer support groups, targeted holiday workshops, trips, and residential breaks.
SELFA works with children and young people who live or go to school in North Yorkshire. Reasons for referral are varied and complex. Many of the children and young people have autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, attachment disorder, mental and physical health issues. They may come from low-income homes, be exposed to domestic violence and/or substance abuse or help to care for parents or siblings. Social isolation, low self-esteem and confidence and emotional/behavioural issues are common.
Those supported by SELFA have often had adverse childhood experiences (ACE) which research shows are strongly linked to chronic disease; poor physical and mental health; lower academic attainment; crime and health-damaging behaviour (high-risk drinking, smoking, drug use). They are more likely to experience depression and anxiety and report lower subjective well-being as both children and adults.