Arts charity to start art therapy training

Sunday 23 April 2023

A training course helping people working with children and young people to incorporate art in their practice is coming to the Channel Islands for the first time.

Charity Kairos Arts hopes that this will help tackle the mental health crisis in young people, as well as encouraging islanders to tap into their artistic side.

Marilyn Carre, Training Director at Kairos Arts, explained: “We’re looking for anybody who works with children and young people... for example teachers or social workers."

Kairos Arts is a local charity that uses art to help vulnerable people including women and children, people living with dementia, young people with mental health concerns, and those recovering from trauma, domestic violence, trafficking and abuse.

They hope to expand their training and become a training centre for art therapy.

Pictured: Kairos Arts helps vulnerable people through art therapy.

Marilyn said that at least seven people had expressed interest in the course already, and she had reassured them that they did not need great art skills to take part in the course. She added that participants would be supported with the academic components of the course that some were worried about.

She said: “Once you start, you’re able to explore, and when you’ve finished that exploration you think: ‘Did I do that?’ I’m no artist, but I just enjoy the exploration and the freedom it gives you.”

The course is split into monthly sessions, held on a Saturday, so that participants can fit it in around their jobs.

Kairos Arts say that the course is practice-led and split into twelve modues, covering ethical, legal, practical, art-based, systemic and theoretical components.

“This course is a unique tool for any professional working with children and young people,” explained Naomi Bidmead, Acting CEO of Kairos Arts.

“There are current concerns about an epidemic of mental health challenges with children and young people. To support CYP in a variety of settings, professionals from a range of backgrounds (teachers, counsellors, youth workers and therapists) may find that broadening their skills to include art techniques leads to better communication and engagement with the children with whom they are working,” said Naomi.

The course is accredited by the CPCAB – the Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body in the UK. Participants will leave with a Level 6 Diploma in Therapeutic Art Practice with Children. It does not qualify people as art therapists or psychotherapists.

Applications are open from 24 April to 29 May, with interviews held in June.

For application forms, you can email naomi@kairosarts.org.