The Pilot Project: Therapy for Asylum-Seeking Children

Meet Our Therapist

Emma Thackham, Art Therapist

I originally started working in the arts. I graduated from university with an Arts degree and later got an MA and an MPHIL in Contemporary Arts and Curatorial Studies. It was when I was working for a charity supporting people living with dementia that I saw how empowering the arts can be for vulnerable people and so I decided to retrain as an Art Therapist.

Now, I work for One Education, supporting young people with social, emotional and mental health needs. It is a really rewarding role and I love making a positive impact in people’s lives. 

The Pilot Project

Background

The Pilot Project was developed to meet the mental health needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Very often, these young people have experienced trauma in their home countries and on the journey towards the UK. They may have experienced violence, abuse, or suffered loss and separation from their families. 

Once they arrive, unaccompanied minors must apply for permission to stay in the UK and prepare for return. Whilst their claim is being processed, they are taken into the care of the local authority and placed into temporary accommodation, such as residential homes, shared housing, or foster care. 

During this time, the psychological distress that children have experienced can be compounded by feelings of instability and social isolation, as many struggle with language and learning to adapt to a new way of life. As a result, unaccompanied minors have a high risk of experiencing sleep disturbances, attention difficulties, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Pilot Project offers Creative Art Therapy to support these young people as they navigate the asylum system and attempt to rebuild their lives. 

What Does Therapy For Asylum-Seeking Children Look Like?

We hold weekly drop-in sessions over a period of 12 weeks. These are group sessions, but we can create referrals for 1-2-1 support for those that need it. Attendance is completely voluntary to allow young people to feel a sense of autonomy and control. However, we find that the majority of individuals enjoy the therapy sessions and come back each week for more. 

We bring a range of art materials to each session so that children have the chance to experiment with different mediums and techniques. Some prefer drawing activities that help to lower anxiety and stress. Others prefer more tactile materials, such as clay and plasticine, which might be more familiar to the artistic styles they’re used to back home. 

We will usually provide a theme or a prompt, but children are free to express themselves in any way they choose. They can work individually, in groups, or side by side with the therapist. Occasionally, a child may choose not to create any art at all, and use the session as an opportunity to talk or take the time to relax. 

What Are The Outcomes?

It’s possible that unaccompanied minors will be moved from one accommodation to another. Due to the uncertainty surrounding their placement, we are careful not to develop a close attachment that may cause further trauma down the line. Instead, this is a pre-therapy intervention that provides young people with a safe space to explore the worries and anxieties they’re experiencing. The asylum system can be very lonely. Children have no family here and their social workers aren’t able to see them very regularly. As a result, it’s easy to feel like they’ve been forgotten about. Art Therapy ensures there is someone there to speak to and offer support when they need it. 

Each individual will take something unique from the experience. For example, some will have a clear idea of the art they want to create, whether it’s reflecting on their memories of home, or developing a new sense of identity and belonging here in the UK. Creating art gives them an opportunity to talk about the families they have left behind, or the new friends they’ve made. As therapists, we’re there to ensure they feel heard and listened to. Many also enjoy practising their English, so we spend time learning new words to describe their feelings and experiences. 

Others find it too distressing to talk about the lives they’ve left behind and the ongoing difficulties they face. Instead, Art Therapy gives them a chance to completely immerse themselves in a creative activity and put their worries to the back of their mind. We can share strategies to help them regulate their emotions and improve their sleep. By managing children’s mental health needs, we can help them settle more successfully into a new place and flourish in their education and future relationships. 

Our Creative Arts Therapists provide a wide range of services to meet the needs of children and young people. Please visit our CPE page to find out more. Or, if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out – a member of our team will be happy to help!