Art kits are an essential part of the therapy that Cambridge charity Blue Smile provides to children who are struggling with their mental health. In order for children to play safely in their face to face therapy sessions, they can no longer share the materials, but must now have their own kits to mitigate the risk of spreading Coronavirus. Not only has this meant purchasing new art kit, it also meant finding 200 boxes so that each Blue Smile child has a box of their own.
Charity Director, Jess Manley, turned to local packaging company DS Smith, and was bowled over by the response when she asked for help. The message from DS Smith was ‘leave it with us’. Within days, 200 boxes of exactly the right size arrived at Jess’s door (flat packed). The boxes are now full of the paints, paper, puppets and playdoh (and more) that help children express difficult feelings and emotions in a safe, supported environment.
Blue Smile has been providing art therapy to children in schools across Cambridgeshire since 2010. Pre-pandemic, statistics show that 1 in every 8 children are living with a mental health problem. That’s four children in every class of 30. Almost half of the children supported have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and nearly two thirds of the children supported are recognized as disadvantaged - Blue Smile works in schools in areas deprivation in Cambridge.
Essentially, Blue Smile works with children aged between 3-13, because it is before the age of 14 that half of all mental health problems begin, and so early intervention can play a critical role in providing children with strategies to avoid deterioration and prevent more severe problems later on.
Blue Smile uses art and play to work with children because of their young age. They may not have the vocabulary to express their feelings, but can explore them through art and play at their own pace.
By helping a child early on Blue Smile can protect a child from developing more severe long term mental health problem, and protect the child’s ability to participate in school life and learn in class.
Blue Smile works closely with school staff, enabling teachers to spot the early signs of mental illness and create stigma-free environments. Close work with wider family relationships helps parents/carers with the stresses and strains of supporting a mentally-unwell child.
When schools were shut due to the pandemic, Blue Smile adapted quickly and ran a telephone ‘Keeping in Touch’ service delivering online therapy. Therapists are delighted now to be back in schools, working with children face to face. However, with uncertain times ahead, Blue Smile remains ready to adapt to the growing needs of children in Cambridgeshire, and determined to ensure that they have the best possible chance of enjoying the happy childhoods they deserve.
If you or anyone you know may be interested in supporting Blue Smile, please visit the website www.bluesmile.org.uk
Blue Smile is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and adheres to their ethical standards.