Testimonials
When my daughter started at Arts4Life, we had reached a point where she was unable to socialise, attend school, go on outings, and was really at risk of losing out on any of the good parts of her teen years. She was so anxious that even going for a walk involved serious planning and debriefing afterwards, which sucked all the joy out of things for her. On our first day it took a lot of work to get her to even walk through the door. In the space of less than a year, not only was M able to attend Arts4Life sessions, but she was beginning to offer her time on a voluntary basis to help others within the project. She can now envision a future for herself, has chosen to return to education, is making and keeping appropriate friends, and is beginning to see that she has value as a person. I credit Arts4Life with all of these steps forward. They have literally changed our lives.
Arts for Life Project is an incredible charity that has provided a one to one therapy to our neurodiverse son, who struggles with his self-esteem, dysregulation, and finds it hard to make and keep friends. He now attends regular weekly group sessions at Arts for Life Project. He absolutely adores his therapist and has always really looked forward to the sessions. Beth, Cassidy and rest of the team have created a beautiful, safe and inspiring space for children who struggle with their mental health. Our son comes out of the sessions super happy, relaxed and can’t wait to return the following week. Beth has created an absolute oasis for children who struggle with their emotions and feelings and provide invaluable therapeutic value. Our son has started talking more about his deep feelings and how he is affected by them as well learning how to help himself when he is dysregulated or overwhelmed. We never had any help from the school or CAHMs. In fact, we have been on a waiting list for over 16 months but no help was ever given to our son. Arts for Life Project is the first place that has improved his mental health. Thank you so much for all you do for all the kids that the system has failed.
Arts for Life’s wonderful staff make my child forget about her anxieties and feel like a valued individual. During the art sessions she gets so much kind support, attentive care and genuine interest in her abilities that it fills her with happiness and confidence. It is her home outside of home and she wishes she could attend every evening of the week, not just on Tuesdays. I think we all could do with such supportive groups outside of family. Every activity is creative and well prepared for, my child gets excited and tells me all about her experience, the sessions she was looking forward to and new things she tried. She proudly keeps everything she has made. We are glad she has her Arts for Life!
Attending Art for therapy classes has been a life changing experience for my child. It is his safe space where he can explore various forms of art form and socialise with children who are neurodiverse like him. The staff are extremely caring and have the necessary training required to support his needs and others. The organisation also provides a space for parents to attend to their wellbeing in the form of a cafe which has alot of therapeutic activities . It’s also a friendly space for parents to get together and support each other .
My children have been part of Arts for Life for a while and it has changed their lives. My daughter suffers from social anxiety and my son has a life limiting genetic condition, cognitive delay and is on the Autism spectrum. I can’t thank the staff enough for taking on these challenges with so much dedication and consistently finding ways to help them grow through art therapy, other interactive sessions and trips. Their patience, attention, love and kindness has created a safe space for them to express themselves, be confident and really be who they are. They are excited for the sessions and look forward to it every week.
I would also like to share some heartfelt feedback about Aaryan's experiences with the art sessions. Transitioning to his first year of secondary school was a challenging period for him, and participating in the Arts for Life project was incredibly beneficial. He had high praises for you Beth, noting how your clear explanations and trust in handling materials greatly enhanced his learning experience. He appreciated the opportunity to learn from his mistakes, the faith shown in his artistic abilities, and the meaningful conversations that arose from the sessions. These discussions have opened new avenues for dialogue about emotional regulation and the therapeutic value of art at home. It's evident that these sessions have provided him with much joy and a strong sense of belonging. As his mother, I hope Arts for Life will receive the necessary funding to continue and even expand its remarkable initiatives. The unique and specialist support you offer to young people is unparalleled and indispensable. Please feel free to share this feedback in any way that may support your valuable work.
Arts for life is, simply put, a fabulous and much needed resource in our community. We were really struggling when we first reached out to Beth and we will be forever grateful for the support and help that our daughter (and as a result we) received from Arts for life. Our daughter was falling through all the systems, we didn’t fully understand her needs. The education system was failing her and she was deteriorating rapidly (physically and mentally) as a result. Arts for Life helped us understand and feel confident that she does have needs and does need support. She attended weekly and this helped her manage her emotions in a caring environment where she felt validated and heard whilst having fun. We saw a significant change in our daughter from this point forward. We also grew in confidence due to the support given and sought further understanding of our daughter’s needs resulting in a diagnosis and an EHCP. The safe space of Arts for Life provided the opportunity for our daughter to grow and develop into a more independent, confident young adult and we know that having this opportunity supported our journey over the past few years when, at times we had no other support. We will always be very grateful for this.
My 10-year-old son first joined Arts for Life 2 years ago. When he first joined he was quiet and hesitant to try new things. Living with autism and ADHD means that the world can sometimes feel like a confusing and overwhelming place But from the moment he started attending the art sessions and settled in something changed. In that creative space, he found a place where he could truly be himself where no one judged him for being different, and where his imagination could shine. Surrounded by kindness, patience, and encouragement, he began to come out of his shell. He’s always loved anime, games and superheroes and through art, he’s found a way to express those passions in his own unique style. Each week, he looks forward to arts for life as it’s a time where he can relax, create, and feel proud of what he makes. Since joining, I’ve seen such a difference in him. He’s happier, more confident, and more comfortable sharing his emotions. Arts for Life has given him not only a creative outlet but also a sense of belonging a place where he feels accepted, inspired, and free to just be himself. I’m so grateful for arts for life and how they have supported my sons needs and have made him feel special. Thank you Beth and the team!
I wanted to let you know that since Logan began attending your creative crew club the changes in him have been incredible. Logan has complex learning difficulties & he finds school very challenging. He doesn’t understand the world around him much at all & his confidence & self-esteem has been very beaten down. He faces a very uncertain future with his education & we are faced with long wait lists for therapies that are crucial for Logan’s development. This has forced us to look for anything that can be beneficial for him & Arts For Life has become our lifeline. Beth and her talented team welcomed Logan with open arms & we haven’t looked back since. I don’t know how they do it (I’m certain it’s magic) but Logan can’t read or write, he struggles so much with fine motor skills & within 2 weeks he was producing art work!! Logan is 8, he has shown zero interest in putting pen to paper or anything academic because of his difficulties combined with trauma bought on from school. But here Logan is thriving. He is forming friendships with like minded peers & he has made so much progress that we have also enrolled him with a mentor that has bonded with Logan really well on Monday afternoons to help continue this new found confidence & positive attitude that he has now adopted. As a family we are seeing improvements in our home life because Logan is feeling seen, heard & feels included. He counts the days until he gets to go back every week. This year in particular has been very tough on Logan, he is fully aware he doesn’t belong in his current education setting but he doesn’t understand why he can’t do what his friends do. He has learnt to mask his true self to survive & I have put my career on hold to make sure that Logan gets what he deserves. Art’s For Life not only bridges the gap for my son, it gives him hope for his future as a young man & he now has aspirations! Beth and her team work tirelessly to help as many children & young people as they can. The love, time & energy they give to these young people is nothing short of breath taking. They move mountains daily & if they can’t do it, it can’t be done. You have changed our lives as a family for the better & you have a young boy who can’t see his world without you in it! He even wants to work for you when he’s older so he can help others like him. Thank you isn’t even enough
My son had a terrible year at primary school in year 5 (he has now just gone in to year 8). The school based trauma he suffered chipped away, and before we knew what was really going on, had caused crippling anxiety to my son. It stopped him doing activities he had previously enjoyed. Year 6 thankfully was a better school experience, but his confidence had been smashed. Last year I came across Arts for Life through a friend. My son and I had a meet and greet in the summer and he said yes to going. He has formed a strong bond with Luke, one of the helpers and we have seen our happy son start to return. He quite literally skips up the lane to the centre for his session. In his own words, he leaves the session happier than when he went in. This summer is the first time since his school based trauma that he has started doing zip wires and rope bridges at soft plays with his younger brother again. I have no doubt that this return of confidence is largely down to the boost he gets from attending Arts for Life and chatting informally to Luke at his session. Words are not enough to express our gratitude to Luke and of course Beth, for helping our son rebuild his confidence. With very best wishes to the team,
Arts for life is, simply put, a fabulous and much needed resource in our community. We were really struggling when we first reached out to Beth and we will be forever grateful for the support and help that our daughter (and as a result we) received from Arts for life. Our daughter was falling through all the systems, we didn’t fully understand her needs. The education system was failing her and she was deteriorating rapidly (physically and mentally) as a result. Arts for Life helped us understand and feel confident that she does have needs and does need support. She attended weekly and this helped her manage her emotions in a caring environment where she felt validated and heard whilst having fun. We saw a significant change in our daughter from this point forward. We also grew in confidence due to the support given and sought further understanding of our daughter’s needs resulting in a diagnosis and an EHCP. The safe space of Arts for Life provided the opportunity for our daughter to grow and develop into a more independent, confident young adult and we know that having this opportunity supported our journey over the past few years when, at times we had no other support. We will always be very grateful for this.
Marnie started at Arts for life after it being recommended for her, to amongst other things help towards regulating her emotions and build her self esteem. We met with Beth on Marnie’s 9th birthday. Marnie has always been quite apprehensive about meeting and chatting to anyone new, Beth was so warm and welcoming and even bought Marnie some cupcakes and a candle to wish her a happy birthday! After a couple of months of settling in Marnie’s confidence grew tremendously. She loves all of the art therapists and she has one particular friend there who she is always so excited to spend time with. She’s always been arty & creative. But dedicating time to art and being able to express her emotions through different arts and crafts has been wonderful for her. I asked Marnie for a few of her own words on what she likes about Arts for Life and she said “It’s exciting and I enjoy it” Thank you so much Beth and team x
The Arts For life Project has provided a safe, welcoming space for my neuro-divergent daughter, who finds other educational settings overwhelming. She looks forwarding to going every week, and feels at ease there and able to express herself however she wants. This is down to the wonderful staff and the amazing facilities and resources available to the children. It has helped her gain confidence and social skills, plus she's produced some fantastic art!
The space is amazing, my favourite room is the bean bag room with the bioluminescent lights - this room makes me feel calm and relaxed. The studio upstairs is amazing especially because you can see other people’s art and it’s so nice. They have loads of equipment and it’s amazing because we can do so many different techniques. It’s made me a lot more creative and it has taught me a lot more things about myself and art. I have made a lot of friends. The people who run the classes are very kind and they are always keeping our mood up and encouraging us. I look forward to going there every week - a lot , a lot , a lot! My favourite session is when we drew paintings and then put black colour over it to create the final piece - I did a bird on a tree and Beth supported me and showed me how to create it. I was so proud to learn this new way of creating art. In the club we say many funny things and jokes, and talk about school. I want to go there forever!
When I went to see the studio I was very impressed - it was an incredible space that took it to a world of creativity, art and dreams. I would never be able to recreate the opportunities that my daughter can take advantage of in that space, even though we encourage her creativity at home a lot. It wasn’t just about art. The sense of safety, acceptance not matter what issues the child is dealing with, the supportive staff and their very positive approach is tangible. My daughter fell in love with this space and the work she does there. We have been in many clubs before and done a lot of different after school activities but it’s the first time where she genuinely wants to go back to for every single session. There are children like her there and it’s ok to be different like they are - no one is bullying anyone for being different and everyone has the space to interact as much as they want or not at all. She gets to try so many new things and learns to deal with the unknown and making mistakes or not succeeding, which can be hard for children like her. As a mum I feel that finally we have a space where our child can be properly understood, supported and where she can have almost limitless opportunities to express her creativity. I am in awe of the incredible arsenal of art materials and techniques the children can explore. The space is so cosy, beautiful, warm and welcoming - the charm and clearly loads of love that went into designing and equipping the place definitely helps children feel so special to have something like this for them. It’s the only place in the neighbourhood like this and I know many parents travel from quite away to get there. I am so lucky to have this space here. It’s not just our daughter who benefitted from this but the whole family as we have seen how much good it does to her.
Without your provision, I am certain that Kitty (age 14) wouldn’t be recovering from her shutdown/ depression nearly as well. She started at the project in October 2024, and has made immense progress so far. Background: Kitty attended Primary school throughout (masked her difficulties heavily) but always found mornings hard and would be late often. She was diagnosed as Autistic at age 10 with her main areas of difficulty being in communication/social skills and emotional understanding. Secondary school: Kitty attended for 5 weeks, seemed to be doing well and then completely shut down. She stayed in her bedroom for months, only coming out for food. She had no interest in anything she previously enjoyed, shut herself off from her small friendship group and family too. It was both heartbreaking and worrying to see her this way. After a year of no school and the challenges that it brought to us as a family, Kitty had told Cahms that Art was her favourite subject and they gave me the number for AFLP… it was a life changing call. I recall Beth ringing me to let me know there was a space for 1-1 sessions for Kitty and her knowledge, intuition and deep empathy was very apparent. She immediately made me feel reassured as she was the first person who I believed could help Kitty recover. I breathed a literal sigh of relief and cried when I got off the call because I’d not been able to help her until then. Over a year later, Kitty is attending some school and able to communicate her needs most of the time. She is so much more relaxed and happy now. She’s lighter and back to her joking self. Shes able to come out to family events and for walks and holidays too. She’s taken up photography also. Arts for life has been an absolute lifeline for our family. Her art has gone from strength to strength and she is visibly proud of her achievements which we display at home. Every single person who works or volunteers there has been welcoming and kind and have done so much more for us than I can possibly say. I hope they all know how special they are. I also hope Kitty can attend for as long as she chooses because she’s coming back to herself due to this incredible team. An absolutely invaluable provision.
The team are warm, patient, and genuinely understand how to engage children with emotional or neurodiverse needs. It’s such a nurturing environment that helps children grow, heal, and thrive through creativity. I’m so grateful for the positive difference it’s made in her life and would highly recommend Art 4 Life to any parent looking for an encouraging, therapeutic space for their child.
My daughter has been attending Art 4 Life for art therapy, and the impact has been incredible. The sessions offer a safe, supportive space where she can express herself creatively and build confidence. She always looks forward to going, and I’ve noticed a real improvement in her mood, self-esteem, and ability to connect with others.
When Lola started at Arts for Life she was self harming and her mental health was at an all time low. Since joining and attending weekly Lola’s confidence has grown she has made some lovely friends and her mental health has improved considerably and her art skills have developed also too. She has thoroughly enjoyed all the different types of Art she takes part in. The variety is second to none We had a catastrophic family loss in March and arts for life went above and beyond to offer help to us as a family.
I would like to share how much Arts for Life has meant to my daughter, Elena. She has ADHD and ASD, and one of her biggest challenges has always been managing and expressing her emotions. Before joining Arts for Life, she often struggled to communicate her feelings and lacked confidence in herself and her abilities. Arts for Life has completely transformed that. It has given Elena a safe, welcoming space where she feels understood, encouraged, and valued. Each week she looks forward to attending. It’s her place to be creative, expressive, and fully herself. Through the sessions, she has found her voice and developed the confidence to speak up, try new things, and push beyond what she thought she was capable of. There have also been moments when Elena was overwhelmed, experiencing meltdowns or sadness, and I was deeply moved by the kindness and care she received. I will never forget the time Beth came out of the studio and into the road to give her a hug and support her through a very difficult moment. That compassion meant everything. Beth has also given Elena an incredible opportunity by allowing her to volunteer as part of her DofE programme. This has boosted her confidence even further. It has helped her develop leadership skills and real pride in her achievements. Since then, she has gone on to become the charity representative for her form at school and even won her school’s business enterprise competition. None of this would have been possible without the support, encouragement, and belief that Arts for Life has shown her. It has truly made a life-changing difference for Elena and for us as a family. Thank you for everything you do. ❤️
Authentic fabulous legendary phenomenal My daughter has had the privilege of attending the Arts for Life Project since Autumn 2024. I have witnessed her go from a very shy girl, and become a young lady. The encouragement and support given by the team has boosted my daughters self-esteem and her confidence has soared. Arts for Life Project have taught my daughter how to express herself through art and how unique an individual she is, especially with her work and her new willingness to have a try at all aspects of art. This has been so lovely to watch her develop as she was always a watcher. Arts for Life Project have the most beautiful approach to their members. There is no judgement and the positive and love vibe flows so beautifully. There is a warmth that is so calming. The Arts for Life Project has to be one of the most wonderful projects to exist. The team clearly all love what they do and it shines through in how the members art work has progressed. Not all superheroes wear capes. The best ones are at the Arts for Life Project! Mum of asd, adhd teenager.
When David started attending his art class at Art 4 Life, I was a mom who constantly worried about his lack of social skills and his difficulty communicating with peers at school. A family support worker suggested that we channel his love of art by signing him up for sessions at Art 4 Life, hoping it would give him another way to express himself. Right from the initial induction at the studio, I saw something I hadn’t seen in a long time—a spark of joy in my otherwise apathetic son, who until then had shown no interest in any extracurricular activities we had tried over the years. He was full of excitement ahead of his first session and asked every day when he could go back. David has been attending his weekly art sessions every Tuesday evening, and it has quickly become his favourite activity of the week. He has come such a long way since he first joined. He discovered a passion for graphic arts and even created a fictional booklet, a play, and is developing his own game, complete with characters and strategies he designed himself. For a long time, his lack of self-esteem held him back from unlocking his full imagination and potential. Today, he is more confident than ever, and every day brings new progress. He has even made a few friends and feels comfortable pursuing his passions. He recently collaborated with Luke and Cassidy to design custom artwork on his shoes, created a 3D print of his favourite character—which he painted with glow-in-the-dark paint and proudly keeps on his bedside table and he already has his next project planned: designing his black tracksuit in a graffiti style. David has finally found a way to express himself through his art. He is a fantastic child full of creativity and passion who simply struggles with aspects of everyday life that are not always accommodating to neurodivergent children. As his mom, I now feel so much more confident that he can succeed in anything he puts his mind to, if he feels good about himself. The wonderful people at Art 4 Life have truly helped him come out of his shell. For the first time in his life, he loves something about himself and that means the world.
I honestly don’t know where to begin — Arts have been incredible for us. My daughter absolutely loves her group sessions, and the emotional support we’ve both received has meant more than I can ever express. It’s made such a difference to her confidence and to me as a parent. Beth, you truly are one in a million. Thank you for everything you do, and for being such an inspiration to our children.
Arts for Life has been an immense source of support for my son, who has been diagnosed with Autism, sensory processing delay, ADHD, and global developmental delay. This organisation is a hub, a safe and nurturing space where my son is truly able to thrive. In the 12 months he has attended, we have seen remarkable progress in his fine motor skills. Just as importantly, he has found a place where he can express himself confidently, both emotionally and creatively. The small class sizes and high staff-to-student ratio have been especially impactful, allowing him to benefit from one-to-one engagement and personalised support. Without Arts for Life, there would be no other accessible environment where Kiyan could develop his abilities, celebrate his achievements, and grow with independence. The support they provide is irreplaceable, not only for my son, but for families like ours who rely on specialised, inclusive programmes that genuinely understand and meet our children's needs. Thank you so much
My son was very lucky to have started Arts 4 Life at the beginning when it used to take place at Beth's dining table when he was around 10 years old. I cannot express the excitement and anticipation he had before a session and the joy afterwards. He felt so at home there, so accepted and loved. Years later, when he was struggling so much with his mental health and suicidal ideations CAMHS wouldn't help him and among many things recommended Arts 4 Life. The reason I chose Arts for Life again was because I drew on those memories and knew the depth of love and care he would enjoy from Beth and the team. After going through so much adversity during the pandemic, homelessness and the deterioration of my own physical and mental health I knew he needed a sense of community belonging. As an immigrant single parent without much family, Arts 4 Life stepped in as a wise, loving, caring, inclusive family. I would not be able to express in words how healing that is: To feel heard, seen and understood. My son has really benefited mentally, emotionally and socially as have I. He is happy and thrives at Arts for Life and due to my financial circumstances, Beth did not hesitate in offering me therapy without cost, which has been a life saver for both my son and I as it helps me better manage the mental and emotional strain and stress that comes from looking after someone with autism. My son also enjoys his 1-2-1 mentoring with a very supportive, relatable and knowledgeable mentor who is also a fantastic role mod. I am forever grateful for their love, care, expertise and professionalism. Their human touch is not something you find easily in other places like CAMHS. It is a rare gift indeed.
Marnie started at Arts for life after it being recommended for her, to amongst other things help towards regulating her emotions and build her self esteem. We met with Beth on Marnie’s 9th birthday. Marnie has always been quite apprehensive about meeting and chatting to anyone new, Beth was so warm and welcoming and even bought Marnie some cupcakes and a candle to wish her a happy birthday! After a couple of months of settling in Marnie’s confidence grew tremendously. She loves all of the art therapists and she has one particular friend there who she is always so excited to spend time with. She’s always been arty & creative. But dedicating time to art and being able to express her emotions through different arts and crafts has been wonderful for her. I asked Marnie for a few of her own words on what she likes about Arts for Life and she said “It’s exciting and I enjoy it” Thank you so much Beth and team x Sara x