Artists helping young people coping with anxiety

Artist in Residence programme proves successful at Les Passerelles

We have been delighted to have been able to support the team at Les Passerelles with an Artist in Residence programme, which has been running since December 2019.The La Passerelle Team forms part of the Psychology and Well-being Service, located within CYPES (Children, Young People, Education and Skills). They are a team of professionals offering support on a short term basis to young people in Key Stages 3 and 4 who are beginning to feel unable to attend their mainstream school because of heightened levels of Anxiety.The team support individuals to enhance their personal well-being, get back on track, improvetheir attendance and continue their learning and eventually return to their current school.They draws upon support from fully qualified teachers, Educational Psychologists andPrimary Mental Health Workers, with professional partners who work alongside them, including representatives from Skills Jersey, Jersey Sport, Jersey Library and ArtHouse Jersey.Most recent Artist in Residence Eliza Reine, said:"During workshops, we are learning how to bind books from recycled materials, creating mindfulness journals as our own reflection to the world. Visiting them every week makes me appreciate the real power of art and mindfulness within.Sometimes art can express more emotions and connect people in a way words just can’t, especially in such a vulnerable state."The therapeutic support has helped students socially and emotionally and has increased the their self-esteem.Having role models like Eliza to look up to, with their wealth of experience, has been incredibly positive. Students relish the opportunity to chat through their ideas and are inspired by therange of activities on offer - from water colour painting, to creating dream catchers to making mindful journals, artistic recycling and multi-media projects.The programme is clearly having a positive impact on students with one saying “It is one of the most positive parts of my week where I can express feelings through art using a variety of materials and techniques.”