Gateway

Gateway is the name given to Beatbullying's intervention programme that uses therapeutic relationships to achieve positive outcomes for young people. We developed the notion of Gateway to reflect the continuum of behaviour on which some young people find themselves; highly vulnerable to bullying behaviours, influenced negatively by peer pressure, struggling with poor role-modelling or difficulties at home, perhaps already demonstrating anti-social behaviours and a tendency towards criminal activity. We believe that intense intervention work can prevent many of these young people tipping through the 'Gateway' into negative behaviours.

Crisis is an opportunity for change, a chance to improve a young person’s way of living, and this is where many of these young people will find themselves in the Gateway project. We invite them into a programme where we have created an atmosphere that is accepting and accommodates change.

Often these young people have placed upon them conditional worth (gang initiation, parental love) from significant people in their lives.  In an attempt to protect themselves from upset they go through the process of condemning themselves to a particular life style which prevents them from dreaming or hoping.  This is often one of self deprecation and what they believe to be their true potential.  Their understanding of what might be an isolated situation that has opportunity for change can become distorted, and this is something Beatbullying's Gateway programme can bring into their awareness and as a result, allow them to live their lives to the full.

Using a combination of three theoretical backgrounds, we look at the thoughts, feelings and behaviours in the conscious and unconscious.  We aim to look at each young person as an individual and explore their individual and collective life experiences, and facilitate their journey in assisting them to make sense of what they think, feel and have experienced. The insight of the Gateway programme helps by giving them the opportunity to change (cognitive-behavioural), guiding them towards achieving their individual desires, as well as taking responsibility and ownership of their life choices and the actions they take, giving them meaning from their everyday existence (person-centred).

The aim of this is to work is to bring confusing thoughts, feelings and situations into the conscious and by exploring the results of conflict, help these young people to develop the ability to chose and make informed decisions. We aim for them to gain autonomy and be provided with healthy ways of viewing their world and enhancing their life aspirations. In all cases this is a process that takes time.

Interim results for the Gateway programme >>

To find out more about the Gateway programme, please email laura@beatbullying.org