Art and Loving Families

Creative Therapies

Coram’s Creative Therapies offer therapeutic support to children who have faced trauma, such as being removed from their birth family or travelling to the UK alone. Through art and music therapy these children can express themselves and begin to process their experiences whilst being supported by psychologists and psychotherapists. Last year, 154 children attended Creative Therapies sessions and 36 children accessed music therapy through Harmony, our new virtual music group for children who have been through court proceedings. We also provided groups for adoptive parents to help them to offer a calm and attuned response to their children’s emotional distress or anger. In partnership with City of London Children’s Social Care Services we have helped to develop creative mental health support for unaccompanied young people in the care system. For so many children our Creative Therapies can be the first step towards dealing with their trauma so they can start to learn to trust, love and lead happier lives.

Over 90% of parents reported their child’s behavioural issues improved, reporting; • Increased concentration and attention skills • Improved family and social relationships • Enhanced communication and speech skills • Increased confidence

Adoption Activity Days give children who are awaiting adoption and prospective adopters the chance to come together and interact through fun activities including arts and crafts. At these unique family finding events, children and potential adopters can see if they establish an emotional connection and take what may be the first step in building a safe and loving home. Despite the recent challenges for a service reliant on face-to-face interaction, we were able to run Adoption Activity Days each time lockdown was eased, taking place outside with safe social distancing. During the last year, 150 children attended ten Adoption Activity Days and 29 were matched with adoptive parents. Being adopted into safe, loving and permanent homes provides these children with the opportunities they need to thrive. These events have proved vital in helping children who may have often waited longer to be placed with a family, giving prospective adopters a chance to see the personality of the children behind their profiles. Laura, who met her son Sam at an activity day, explains:

Adoption Activity Days

If you just read a child’s paperwork, you don’t really get a sense of who they are. And for children with disabilities, it’s easy to focus on the disability and not actually see the child. Sam’s got his own set of challenges but he’s unique and he’s just perfect. I went down to interact with the children at an Adoption Activity Day, and as soon as I saw him, I just thought; he is my son.