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.
In the 2024-25 school year, our team of specially trained therapists provided 1:1 therapy to 230 children at our 9 Partner Schools in Cambridgeshire, 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 2024-25:
91% of teachers felt the children had improved on their identified goals;
93% of parents felt the children had improved on their identified goals;
70% of children who struggled to engage with school were more willing to engage after therapy;
44% of children had improved their school attendance.
Ongoing feedback demonstrates children have learnt to ecognise and process emotions after intervention; they display higher self-esteem, improved confidence, and increased aspirations.
I liked talking about all the goods and bads. It helped friendships and family stuff.
Child
[Child] is going to school more easily and staying in school more. He has begun to talk to me about how he feels.
Parent
Pupils look forward to the sessions and the emotional progress they make enables them to regulate better in the classroom.
Teacher