For children, the treatment for long term conditions can be almost as difficult as the condition itself. This is true of rheumatic conditions, where children may need unpleasant and distressing treatment over several years of outpatient appointments. The experience of treatment can cause anxiety, especially before and during appointments. Art therapy has been used by some services around the country to help children cope and this year the Evelyn Trust has funded Teapot Trust to provide an art therapist to the paediatric rheumatology clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. It’s early days, but the first reports show important impacts on the mood and behaviour of children – and families have also seen the benefits.

The art therapist offers therapy in a range of settings, including within the waiting room of the outpatients’ clinic; 1:1 therapy for individual children; and also some therapy that is ward-based for inpatients. There’s an art table where the therapist is based and children use art to explore their feelings and share their fears. Parents join in too and the open group has provided mutual informal support for parents. Over the first six months of the project, evaluation has shown that children are returning to hospital with less anxiety, more resilience and keen to share their experiences with peers as they discuss their art projects.

“The art is of course a great distraction, but art therapy also encourages the children to face their fears, share their concerns and help each other to come to terms with the challenges that illness inevitably brings. These children are at serious risk of mental illness, both now and in adulthood, so this intervention can have long term value,” explains Sarah Randell, Chief Executive of Teapot Trust.

The response to date has proved very positive with children, parents and professionals recognising the benefits.

“It’s hard for many young patients to deal with the pain, lack of mobility, the sense of being ‘different’ to their peers and managing needles, medication and hospital appointments. Art therapy can provide a means through which they can express their frustrations, fears, anger, loss and sadness and provide an environment for therapy and support,” says Kate Armon, Consultant Paediatric Rheumatologist.

The project has also boosted awareness of art therapy, helping it to be better understood and valued by clinicians. Teapot Trust has a long term ambition to help art, music and play therapy become more embedded in children’s services at Addenbrooke’s.

 “At the end of this one year project, we aim to have proved the value of art therapy for children with long term conditions and built a strong case for a permanent post in paediatric rheumatology at Addenbrooke’s. We will also be contributing to an in-depth research project planned by the University of Cambridge,” adds Sarah Randell.

Teapot Trust provides art therapy and creative interventions in hospitals to support the well being of chronically ill children, young people and their families. They are currently working in 12 hospitals around Scotland and England.To find out more, visit www.teapot-trust.org