A BOSCOMBE arts charity aims to tackle the NHS mental health waitlist in its own interim sessions. 

Creative Kids, an arts education charity in Boscombe, has opened a series of arts-based Drawing and Talking therapy sessions named 'Unbox' for young people. 

The charity has launched the sessions to help tackle the NHS mental health waitlist which as left hundreds of children in the BCP area without needed help. 

Cary Lightfoot, founder of Creative Kids, said: “Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a much higher number of anxious children coming through our doors who struggle to manage everyday emotions.

“National lockdowns, food poverty, rising energy bills, wars and environmental issues have played a huge part in children’s mental health, especially those who were already classified as ‘vulnerable’ pre-COVID."

The sessions will work in partnership with qualified lead psychotherapist, Julie Squire, and has received funding from Talbot Village Trust.

The Unbox sessions will support disadvantaged children from eight to 12 years old in a series of drawing and talking therapy sessions while they wait for NHS help.

Caroline Cooban, CEO at Talbot Village Trust, said: “In 2020, we supported Creative Kids to expand its headquarters, workshop, and studio, and upgrade its technologies to enhance digital arts-based learning.

“We’ve been proud to support the organisation again this year, where we’ve helped to fund the Unbox programme.

Creative Kids has set to the programme to be 12 one-hour sessions to help assist children navigate emotional pain and trauma in a 'calm, friendly, and supportive environment.'

Creative Kids was founded in 2008 to help address a gap in access to high quality arts education for disadvantaged children living in Boscombe and BCP.

The organisations is based at the Sovereign Centre and uses two retail units as a studio and workshop space. 

Cary said: "We’ve listened to the desperate pleas of parents who have told us their stories, shared their frustrations, and asked us for help.

“With a wait time to see a mental health professional of up to two years, we felt we must act now”.

Unbox sessions will continue throughout January and February with a further rollout after February half term.

Parties interested in the sessions should email Cary at creativekids@live.co.uk.