Our Blog

Stevenage Coordinators, Art Therapist Harri Nicholas and Drama and Movement Therapist Charlotte Wilmer-Barbrook, hosted two sessions in July for staff and parents on the Creative Arts Therapies.

They received a wonderful turnout for both sessions, engaging 15 parents and 14 staff from education settings from across Stevenage.

To keep up to date with future forums and events please follow us on Facebook and keep an eye on the calendar area of the website.

To find out more information about training’s, events and forums available for your school/education setting, please contact Sarah Blackford: s.blackford@rsat.org.uk

So with much excitement and in trepidation Yoshi Bear attended his first formal award ceremony!  Nominated for a Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Leading Lights Award, Yoshi went to the groomers and had a new collar for the grand day.  After sitting patiently with over 200 staff in a very hot room, it was finally the category for Excellent Contributions by A Volunteer.  Names were read out, people held their breath and then we heard third place announced.., second place and finally the winner….YOSHI BEAR!  The room erupted into cheering and applause and we proudly went onto the stage for a certificate for Yoshi and £100 worth of vouchers.  At home Yoshi had steak for tea to celebrate with us all. 

Back at work, he continues to help with patients rehabilitation at Holywell Neurological Rehabilitation Unit.  His visits help improve patients’ moods, adjust to their situation and motivate them in their rehabilitation.  Whilst the patients’ lives may have changed, Yoshi treats them the same regardless of illness or injury.  His love is unconditional.  Well done Yoshi Bear!

A blog post from our very own Harri Nicholas:

On Sunday 28th April, I completed the Virgin Money Giving London Marathon 2019 in 6 hours and 11 minutes alongside my husband. It was an amazing experience which was difficult along the way but we had unbelievably brilliant support from family, friends and the crowds! We raised £3405.00 for Macmillan Cancer Support, we were absolutely blown away by everyone’s generosity. It will be a day that will always stay with me and very proud moment to have achieved such a physical and mental challenge. 

A member of our team has just finished with a child in year 1. They had been excluded from one school, and were unable to be in class at the new school.

This was due to significant behavioural difficulties. The child was  STUC (Significant Trauma, Unmet Need in Crisis). 

Today they ended therapy and were presented with a certificate which will be received in assembly.  They have never been given a certificate in assembly until now! 

They have now successfully integrated back into class full time and are thriving.

During the Spring term Harri and Charlotte ran two Staff Forums and one Parent Forum.

The Staff forums were very well attended by staff from schools across Stevenage. The themes explored were around staff support, accessing services for children and staff self nurture.

The Parent Forum offered training to provide strategies for children with anxiety. This was so popular that, as a result schools have asked for it to be repeated in the Summer Term.

Currently we are providing 12 pupils with Creative Arts Therapy sessions within their individual schools. Many referrals have been for children who have experienced significant trauma, have not had their needs met and are in crisis.

We have now moved into our brand new office, where there is a state of the art coffee machine which provides the best cappuccinos and hot chocolates!