Zoe (aged 13) was referred to Teapot Trust art therapist, Nicola, after being diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)—a condition that causes persistent joint pain, swelling and stiffness, as well as other complications such as eye inflammation (uveitis).

Teapot Trust’s professionally qualified art therapists work with children and young people like Zoe to better cope with their conditions so that they can live fuller lives.

Zoe’s mum, Jen, said: “Nicola helped Zoe to understand her condition, as she was struggling to come to terms with it."

"Teapot Trust helped us as a family to understand how Zoe was feeling about having JIA. Zoe is now happier, confident and very open about her condition.”

Zoe told us: “Art therapy with Nicola really helped me to understand myself and how I was feeling about having to take new medication.”

“My favourite thing about art therapy was being able to express my feelings and thoughts whatever way I liked. Some days I expressed my thoughts through art and other days I just said them out loud. Nicola was always really helpful and understanding.”

We're striving to make art therapy more widely available to those who need it. If you would like to refer a young person who is living with a chronic condition, or if you're a young person who is struggling then, please go to our self-referrals page.