Mission Statement
The Art Room is a therapeutic intervention offering art as therapy to some of the most challenging and vulnerable children and young people, some of whom may be at risk of exclusion from mainstream schools.
Faced with challenges in their lives, we provide support and care through small group sessions with our highly trained Practitioners. These sessions take place in an Art Room studio in primary and secondary schools.
Aims and Objectives
Our aim is to help students manage their difficulties, cope with school and avoid exclusion. It is our goal to give each individual a chance to achieve their potential during school years and beyond.
The Art Room’s objective is to provide students with self-confidence and self-esteem through their creativity and self-expression.
Our record
We constantly evaluate our work and have substantial evidence of the positive changes in learning, conduct and emotional behavior. Head Teachers, SENCOs and other professionals are regularly consulted and we listen to our children:
"This really does work, when I am angry in class I think about The Art Room and it helps me calm down." Year 6 student
Description
Who is it for?
We work with children and young people between 5 and 16 years old. Our aim is to provide support helping them to manage their difficulties at a time they most need it.
Each child’s need for early intervention is different. They might be having difficulty engaging because they have problems at home; are on the autism spectrum; have recently arrived in country or been bullied. Art Room children are referred by the Schools, SENCO professionals working with the children or family. They can also self-refer.
Where do you find Art Rooms?
Art Rooms are located in mainstream primary and secondary schools. Each studio is attached to a school and offers early intervention to students referred by the host school and the wider community.
How does it work?
Each Art Room is designed as a creative and nurturing workshop with a sofa area for group dialogue; a long table where individual art projects are created and a table for breakfast or a snack.
Each session has two to three trained practitioners working with a small groups of up to 8 children for 1 to 2 hours. Using art as a powerful tool to engage with the children, sessions are structured to encourage communication, language and life skills. Small groups and high levels of support allow each child’s needs to be met.
Art Room students work on tangible objects - chairs, lampshades, trays, coffee tables, aprons and more. Our methodology introduces the child to a sense of empowerment through transforming everyday objects into something individual and creative.
