Calmbulance Mobile Art Therapy Project for Kids

Aim

Help us develop a fully-equipped mobile therapy studio to allow children and young people to access much needed mental health support.

Who We Are

Spider Arts is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). Our vision is to deliver exciting and innovative creative projects in Scotland that will improve the wellbeing and quality of life for young people and their families. 

We are committed to improving youth mental health through art therapy. There is greater need for our services than ever before, but due to Covid-restrictions many children are no longer able to attend therapy sessions at school or in local community facilities.

The Calmbulance Project

The Calmbulance project has been designed to meet an identified need in Scotland. Prior to  Covid-19, 1 in 10 children and young people aged 5 to 16 were suffering with a clinically diagnosable mental illness. The pandemic has put additional pressure on young people and now even more children are struggling with anxiety and depressive symptoms. 

Early intervention is essential to preventing significant issues such as drug or alcohol abuse, violent or self-destructive behaviour and even suicide in later life. Art therapy can help children and young people fully recover from mental illness and develop the skills to successfully manage future adversity. 

Not all children in Scotland have equal access to specialised support, but addressing mental health issues in young people is essential to giving them the best chance of achieving their potential and living a happy and successful life.

We Need Your Help!

Help us reach our target to create a calm and inviting space, where children can explore their emotions through play and art-making and gain the confidence and skills to cope with their difficulties.

With the funds we raise, we will transform a decommissioned ambulance into a fully equipped mobile art therapy studio called the Calmbulance. The Calmbulance will ensure that all children in our community have access to the mental health support they need and are not unfairly disadvantaged due to the pandemic, their economic status or the lack of availability of services in their area.

"Art therapy heals trauma by giving colour, shape and texture to feelings that we may have no words for." (Fiona Rich, Art Therapist and CEO of Spider Arts)

This project successfully funded on 23rd March 2021