Select a region
A local arts charity that uses creativity to help victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault to heal is planning to expand its therapeutic offering to children and young people in the New Year.
At the end of every year, Express speaks to local charities about what their Christmas wishes are for the year ahead.
Today, Kairos Arts kicks off the 2021/22 series...
"When asked to think about just one project or goal for next year this was not an easy task. As a charity we have seen growth and learnings that have far exceeded our expectations in our two years as a registered Jersey charity.
Our three-year strategy, that we developed in lockdown, has six goals, but one stands out for 2022: deepening our therapeutic practice.
Pictured: "Working one to one with children and young people will be a huge new piece of work for our charity, allowing us to embrace a new model of working and exploring new settings with children and young people."
Kairos Arts deliver unique and bespoke therapeutic creative workshops which are free to all who attend. These programmes are so special because they create safe spaces to explore feelings, and to empower each participant to journey their fears, joys, experiences and overcome their problems creatively. Whilst words can be wonderful, the arts have a remarkable ability to unlock hidden truths, bring fresh perspectives and a power to bring restoration, without reliance on verbal expression.
Up until now all our work has been delivered within a group setting and in partnership with other charities and organisations on the Island including Jersey Action Against Rape, Jersey Domestic Abuse Service, The Jersey Women’s Refuge, Mind Jersey, Dementia Jersey and Beaulieu Secondary School. We hugely value these existing partners and look forward to beginning exciting new partnerships with Macmillan, Brighter Futures and Community Navigators in 2022.
However, as well as this expansion, our 2022 will see an exciting development of the depth of our therapeutic practice. We will be working with children and young people in one-to-one settings as part of a Level 6 Diploma in Therapeutic Art Practice with children and young people.
Pictured: A previous Kairos exhibition installation created by survivors of domestic abuse, showing their journeys from coercive control to freedom.
Seven of our Practitioners have just started this training, which we have brought to Jersey in partnership with the British Association of Art Therapists. It is the first time that this course has been accredited for non-art therapists and we are pioneering it here in Jersey! Equipping our Practitioners and other professionals on island has thrilled us. The pandemic has seen unprecedented levels of need to support children and young people’s mental health. We are pleased to play our part.
Working one-to-one with children and young people will be a huge new piece of work for our charity, allowing us to embrace a new model of working and exploring new settings with children and young people.
The English have only one word for ‘time’, but the Ancient Greeks had two: ‘chronos’ – measurable time and ‘kairos’ – a moment in time when something of significance occurs – a transforming opportunity – a breakthrough moment, full of hope.
That’s what 2022 feels like for us at Kairos Arts.
This is a ‘kairos moment’ as we deepen our therapeutic practice and step out into new settings, ready to play our creative part in the support of islanders' wellbeing and healing."
“It’s about a person realising the value they have through creativity”
GALLERY: Domestic abuse survivors share "voyage" to freedom
