1 in 5 children in England has a probable mental health disorder according to NHS figures. As waiting times are high, more cases and more complex cases are being referred to Blue Smile.
A grant from The Pixel Fund helped Blue Smile deliver holistic 1:1 arts-based therapy to children in Cambridgeshire primary schools, helping them to enjoy happier childhoods and build brighter futures.
Our team of specially trained therapists provided 1:1 therapy to children at our 9 Partner Schools across the county, and met with the parents and teachers of each child to help them understand and support the child’s mental health needs.
For all children who completed 1:1 therapy with Blue Smile in 2023-24:
90% of teachers felt the children had improved on their identified goals;
87% of parents felt the children had improved on their identified goals;
72% of children who struggled to engage with school were more willing to engage after therapy;
34% of children had improved school attainment.
Ongoing feedback demonstrates children have learnt to recognise and process emotions after intervention; they display higher self-esteem, improved confidence, and increased aspirations.
“It helped me talk about my feelings to other people.. to understand that the sad things are ok to talk about.” – child
“My child is being listened to and given tools to help in a school environment … she has become much more confident.” - parent