The Sanctuary's Warrior Programme
Empower young people through mindfulness, movement, and reflective practice.
What is the Mindful Warrior Programme?
Created by Niamh Bruce and Brother Richard Hendrick, this programme is offering something very unique in the space of education and youth work in Ireland. It is highlighting the change in awareness and reflection that is needed when a young person is entering adolescence and adulthood in an engaging manner. The Goal of the Warrior programme is simple but profound: To bring a moment of reflective stillness to the life of the Young Person and to enable them to return to a place of stillness when they need to.
This experiential programme supports young people through a combination of:
- Mindfulness and movement practices
- Adolescent psychological development frameworks
- Reflective stillness
- Traditional wisdom and the 'gentle warrior' archetype
- Creative and imaginative expression
It’s especially suited to young people from 6th class to 2nd year who may benefit from a non-traditional, experience-led approach to personal development. The Sanctuary can provide facilitators to co-facilitate this programme directly to young people in the Sanctuary or in schools, youth centres, community centres in partnerhsip with the relevant coordinator (teacher, youth worker, school completion officer etc). Please contact James at programmes@sanctuary.ie for more information.
The Warrior Teacher Training
The Sanctuary now offers a training course for teachers, youth workers, and facilitators who wish to deliver the Warrior Programme in their own school or youth centre.
We will be facilitating a Warrior Teacher Training in the summer of 2026 (exact dates TBC).
This training gives you tools to inspire self-awareness, resilience, and emotional growth in the young people you support. You'll receive:
- Full facilitator training so that you can facilitate this programme to young people that you directly work with
- Lesson plans and handouts
“The most life-changing piece of education I’ve ever undergone – for both personal growth and for the young people I work with.”
— Lisa Bonnell, Youth Worker, Ballymun
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should be currently working with young people and have the intention to facilitate The Warrior with young people soon after the completion of the training. Applicants should also have:
- Prior training in mindfulness (e.g. MBSR, MBCT, MBLC, .b Foundations, etc.)
- A regular mindfulness practice (ideally 20 minutes daily for at least 6 months)
Exceptions may be made for applicants with significant experience in contemplative practices (e.g. Vipassana, Insight Meditation, WCCM).
Please contact James at programmes@sanctuary.ie for more information.
