What We Do

Our programmes are designed to be reflective, inclusive, and empowering - supporting individuals to reconnect with who they are and who they’re becoming. Whether working directly with young people, those in recovery, or the professionals around them, our approach invites people into a journey of self-awareness, healing, and growth.

We tailor every programme to the specific needs of your setting - whether that’s a school, residential home, youth justice service, or recovery space. We offer flexible delivery, including 45 minute workshops, half-day or full-day sessions, or more in-depth programmes delivered over 6 to 8 weeks. Sessions can include a mix of group-based work and one-to-one support, depending on what will be most impactful.

Our work complements existing education, rehabilitation, and therapeutic interventions by creating the space for individuals to reflect on their past, understand their emotional world, and reconnect with a sense of possibility.

Whether delivered as a one-off workshop or a longer-term programme, our sessions explore themes such as:

• The emotional and relational conditions we needed to feel safe and valued

• The patterns and coping strategies we developed to survive

• How early experiences shaped the way we see ourselves

• Tools to build emotional resilience and self-compassion

• Reconnecting with identity, motivation, and future direction

Every programme supports participants to build a deeper understanding of themselves and take steps towards a more grounded, confident, and meaningful future.

At The Optima Collective, we believe that the wellbeing of those who support others is just as important as the wellbeing of the individuals they care for. That’s why we offer a range of engaging, research-informed training and workshops tailored for staff, care workers, youth workers, peer mentors, and those in frontline support roles.

What We Offer

Our training empowers individuals with both knowledge and practical tools to enhance their capacity to support others—while staying connected to their own wellbeing.

We offer workshops and bespoke sessions on:

• Understanding Burnout & Compassion Fatigue
  Recognising the early signs, understanding the impact, and learning strategies for prevention and recovery.

• Attachment & Relational Trauma
  Exploring how attachment patterns shape behaviour and relationships, and how to respond with trauma-informed care.

• Polyvagal Theory in Practice
  Making sense of emotional regulation, nervous system responses, and creating safety through co-regulation.

• The Neuroscience of Addiction
  Understanding what addiction does to the brain and how this knowledge can inform compassionate, effective support.

• The Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model)
  Supporting people through change; understanding the journey of behaviour change and tools and techniques to support someone where they are.

• Peer Support & Recovery Coaching
  Training those with lived experience to support others in recovery, with boundaries, communication, and trauma-informed principles at the heart.

• Resilience & Reflective Practice
  Tools to help staff build emotional resilience and foster a culture of reflective practice and growth.

• Supporting Young People with Complex Needs
  Practical tools and compassionate approaches to supporting young people affected by trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges.

Who It’s For:

• Support workers

• Residential and care staff

• Youth workers

• Peer mentors

• Volunteers

• Recovery coaches

We tailor all sessions to your team’s context and needs, whether you're a residential home, recovery programme, youth service, or educational setting.

Alongside training and workshops, we offer small group and one-to-one reflective sessions designed to support the emotional wellbeing of those in helping roles. These spaces provide a supportive structure for staff and peer mentors to:

• Process the emotional impact of their work

• Reflect on relational challenges and boundaries

• Reconnect with their values, purpose, and wellbeing

• Prevent burnout through regular, compassionate check-ins

These sessions can be delivered as one-offs or on an ongoing basis, and are tailored to the context and needs of your team or organisation.