“It’s about a person realising the value they have through creativity”

Thursday 01 July 2021

A charity which provides therapeutic creative therapy workshops for islanders with mental health issues and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse is holding its first fundraiser in over a year tomorrow.

Kairos Arts’ ‘We’re Better Together’ event will take place at St. Helier Methodist Church on Friday (2 July) at 18:30.

The charity has been present in the island since 2013. Until 2019, when it became independent, it was known as Talitha Jersey, a name inspired by its sister charity, Talitha Arts.

Cathy Sara, a professional actor who appears in ‘Downton Abbey’ among others, first joined Talitha in 2011, where as Deputy CEO and Head of Overseas Development she led five trips to India working with girls who had been trafficked and abused and led training programmes in London and India.

Pictured: Cathy Sara (left) founded Kairos Arts in 2013.

She met Naomi Bidmead, who is now the charity’s Fundraising, Operations and Communications Manager, and when they both moved to the island in 2013, Naomi said they recognised there was a need for an organisation like Talitha in Jersey.

Kairos Arts works with women and children, people recovering from trauma, domestic violence, trafficking and abuse, those living with dementia, and young people with mental health concerns. 

The charity partners with other local charities, agencies and schools – including The Women’s Refuge, JAAR, JDAS, the Jersey Safeguarding Commission, Dementia Jersey, Beaulieu School and Mind Jersey - to provide workshops where people are encouraged to explore their own stories through art, music, crafts and other creative therapies. In Jersey they have already been privileged to work with.

Pictured: “We use all the creative arts, art, dance, poetry, sculpture, and all different mediums in therapeutic programmes," Naomi said.

“We are completely unique on the island,” Naomi said. “We use all the creative arts, art, dance, poetry, sculpture, and all different mediums in therapeutic programmes. Rather than being instructed or coached, it’s about a person realising the value they have through creativity.

“Some of the sessions will have music, clay and arts, they are about projecting on the material or the space we are using on that day. It’s a recognition that sometimes we do not need our minds to explore how we are feeling, we just need our hands and bodies.”

Kairos Arts’ programmes, which are led by trained creatives and therapists, last around six weeks with one session a week and each is unique to the participants involved. Drop-in sessions are also available for past participants who wish to continue “being creative”. 

Pictured: Work from the participants will be available to buy at the event.

“It’s about building engagement, confidence and empowering people to move on to the next stage,” Naomi said.

“All the programmes are group activities. There is something really special about building the group dynamic and supporting each other.”

Kairos Arts provides its “high quality therapeutic service” for free and raise funds or apply for grants to fund its work.

“To have something people can be referred to that does not cost anything is quite powerful,” she said.

The charity usually holds annual fundraisers but was not able to do so in 2020 due to the pandemic. The team is therefore excited to welcome visitors at the Methodist Church. 

Video: Jane and James Horsfall will be playing duets at the event. 

“There will be an opportunity for people to view artwork painted and created by people on our programmes,” Naomi added. “It’s not about being an artist so you might look at a painting and think ‘that’s not a Van Gogh’ but it’s about the story that goes with it. Each piece will have a text explaining how the person has arrived to that piece and how the piece helped them on their therapeutic journey.”

The charity will also be selling artisan products from ‘freedom businesses’ in India whose aim is to “bring about the freedom of the people within the business so that they can earn a fair price and support their families” Naomi said.

 Musicians Jane and James Horsfall will be providing musical entertainment with a concert of duets.

“Our event on Friday 2 July is called ‘We’re Better Together’ and that sums up who we are and what we do,” Cathy said. “Working creatively through art, crafts, music and even drama, people who may have suffered trauma or who are going through tough times are able to explore their experiences and build a better future.  

“We are so grateful to all the individuals, groups and agencies who have supported us, including financially, over the year and especially during this pandemic period. But to help us move into a confident future where we will be able to help more and more people, we are now launching our ‘Golden Giving’ Appeal, where we will be asking friends to commit to a £50 donation … or more if they are able!”