Creative health helps Jasmine blossom since diagnosed with diabetes

A MOTHER has described how a creative workshop run by Helium Arts – the children’s charity committed to improving the wellbeing of children and young people living with lifelong physical health conditions – has transformed the confidence and wellbeing of her 10-year-old daughter who has type 1 diabetes.

Helium Arts recently expanded its Creative Health programme to hospitals and in the community in Dublin.

The programme provides free, artist-led creative workshops in hospital paediatric outpatient clinics to children and young people living with lifelong physical health conditions.

Following the hospital-based workshops, participants can be referred to Helium Arts’ community and online programmes, which include free workshops and camps during school holidays and weekends.

These workshops, led by professional artists, provide on-site medical support and are accessible to participants with a variety of needs.

Supported conditions include diabetes, epilepsy, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, allergies, heart conditions, asthma, spina bifida, juvenile arthritis, rare or complex conditions and many more.

In Dublin, the programme is initially being rolled out at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Connolly in Blanchardstown and Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Tallaght, in partnership with the CHI Arts in Health Programme.

A Creative Arts summer camp for children with lifelong physical health conditions will be held in Kilnamanagh Family Recreation Centre on July 16th- 18th.

A free online Creative Arts summer camp is also available for children with lifelong physical health conditions, including in Dublin, in July.

Tallaght local Maria Dunne is mum to Jasmine aged ten, who has type 1 diabetes. She said: “When Jasmine was diagnosed with diabetes last August, she felt isolated from her peers and struggled to accept the changes that were happening in her life.

“The opportunity to participate in Helium Arts’ online programme brought joy into her life at such a difficult time.

“The arrival of the enormous art supplies box ahead of her sessions and the connection she made with her creative pen pal meant that she could bond with other children like her and feel part of a tribe.

“She has blossomed since Helium Arts came into her life. While she’s taking part in their sessions, she doesn’t have to worry about her sugars or her insulin and can just be a child.”

To register and for further information, visit helium.