A new art therapy service for children and young people in North Ayrshire has now officially launched in Irvine.

Impact Arts therapy space in Irvine was officially opened by Provost Ian Clarkson last Wednesday afternoon and offers a safe relaxed space for young people to express themselves through creativity and play.

The service is funded for the next three years to offer free support to children and families experiencing challenging circumstances at home or school, low confidence or self-esteem, loss or change or other social or emotional difficulties.

Jenny Coxon, Impact Arts’ Programme Manager for Ayrshire, said: “It’s great to be bringing such a vital and effective project to North Ayrshire. Today was a superb opportunity to bring together the local agencies who will be fundamental to linking us in with children and young people who could benefit most.

“Impact Arts have been based in North Ayrshire for a long time and today was also useful in allowing us to highlight the many projects for children and young people we are offering throughout this summer and beyond.”

As well as one-to-one sessions between an art therapist and children aged 5-12, there will be sessions offered including the child and their parent or carer. Partnerships with schools will also offer therapeutic art groups open to those aged 5-15.

The project is an extension of Impact Arts’ award-winning therapy service which has run in Glasgow for the past five years.

As well as Art Therapy, we are running weekly CashBack Nights workshops for 12-19 year olds, building up to our full-time summer CashBack to the Future project this July.

Impact Arts will also be working with care-experienced young people as part of our Express Yourself and Make it Your Own projects.

To find out more, contact Art Therapist Danielle Devin on 01294 273 051 or email danielle.devin@impactarts. co.uk.