Photo: Marc O'Sullivan
I AM A(N):
Helium Arts is an Irish charity that brings creativity and joy to children and young people aged 6–16 living with lifelong physical health conditions.
We offer free art workshops—in hospital waiting rooms, community settings, and online—for those with conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, spina bifida, heart conditions, juvenile arthritis, rare conditions, and more.
Through art, participants can build confidence, make friends, and simply have fun!
Our workshops are led by professional artists, supported by friendly volunteers, and include an on-site medic at every session to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone involved.
States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
To actually see the teenagers' work gives you a real insight into people who may not show that side of themselves to you to maintain the control that they have, but they’ll show it to the artist. It’s really touching and a really important part of the overall care in hospital.
Dr. Aoibhinn Walsh, Paediatric SpR, on Helium's artist in residence programme for teenagers in hospital
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