Welcome to Arts Therapies for Children. I’m Natasha Ainley, CEO and proud founder of this charity. I am also a qualified art psychotherapist. My dual role allows me to fulfil my personal and professional mission: to ensure that our community’s children (ages 5-11) struggling with emotional and mental health challenges receive the timely support they need to cope with life’s difficulties. Our transformational work gives children in distress a chance to hope, heal and grow. 

Through creative art and play therapies, our dedicated, qualified team of therapists help children express themselves in a safe space, without judgement and without the need to use words. We specialise in helping children experiencing anxiety and poor mental health, trauma, autism, developmental conditions, grief, learning disabilities and communication difficulties, as well as a wide range of behavioural, emotional or social issues. By working closely with our growing network of primary schools and families, we create a trusted circle of support around each child as they navigate their own therapeutic journey.

What began as a grassroots effort has grown: we now deliver our arts therapies to more than 220 children across 37 schools. To respond to rising demand for what we do, we are continuing to expand. Our aim is simple: to make sure that no child is left to struggle alone and to equip each child with the tools they need to survive and thrive.

Thank you for visiting our website and I invite you to explore our work further and to get in touch if you have any questions.

Natasha Ainley BA HONS BAAT

CEO & Art Psychotherapist