Caspari Foundation is a London-based independent charity that helps disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people, aged 5-18, overcome emotional and behavioural difficulties and barriers to learning. We do this by providing Educational Psychotherapy in schools either in small groups or individually. Educational Psychotherapy combines teaching skills with therapeutic understanding in a way that helps children and young people to explore and make sense of their troubled world.
Emotional underdevelopment, mental distress and low wellbeing levels caused by traumatic experiences – bereavement, physical abuse, neglect, family breakdown, witnessing violence, alcohol/drug abuse – can interfere significantly with a child’s ability to access or enjoy learning and develop the skills they need to fulfil their potential in life. Such adverse experiences are a predictor of negative life outcomes, with increasing likelihood of enduring mental health problems, alcoholism, substance abuse, domestic violence, worklessness, heart attack, cancer and depression.
The Pixel Fund are generously supporting Caspari’s ‘Bereavement Project’. This intervention will provide Educational Psychotherapy for children whose progress at school has been disrupted by the trauma of the death of a close family member.
Our intervention, delivered by trained and experienced Educational Psychotherapists, uses well-evidenced art and storytelling techniques within the classroom to build a support network around the child before their mental health reaches breaking point, It equips them with the tools necessary to avert a crisis. Given space and time, children are helped to develop the emotional confidence, self-esteem and wellbeing they need to engage positively with school, improve their attainment, see their risk of exclusion reduced and experience positive life outcomes.