Photo: Andrew Downes, Xposure
Helium Arts, the national children’s arts and health charity
I AM A(N):
Helium Arts offers free, specially designed art workshops for children and young people (age 6-18) living with a lifelong physical health condition – supported by professional artists, volunteers and on-site medical care.
Conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, chronic asthma, juvenile arthritis, heart conditions, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, allergies, rare and complex conditions and more.
Our aim is to bring positivity to these children’s lives and give them an opportunity to explore their creativity, make new friends, learn new life skills, grow in confidence and self-esteem, and have fun!
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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