Youth Arts & Health Trust

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Youth Arts & Health Trust

Developing confidence and resilience through safe and inclusive arts therapies and arts activities.

We provide arts opportunities and arts therapies for young people. We have an arts therapy room at the YES Centre (Youth Enquiry Service) in Exeter and also work in schools, CAMHS units and other places.

28/08/2026

We understand that coming along to a new group can feel a little daunting, especially if you’re not sure what to expect. In The Social Canvas, there’s no pressure for you to be “good at art”, share personal things, or get involved straight away.

You will be invited to explore different creative activities at your own pace, using art as a way to express, explore and make sense of thoughts and feelings, without needing to find the right words. You might discover new ways of understanding yourself, try something you’ve never done before, or simply enjoy having some time and space to create with others....or by yourself!.

The group is a chance to meet other young people who may understand some of what you’re going through, in a supportive and welcoming space where you can be yourself. It’s completely okay to feel nervous at first, you don’t have to arrive feeling confident or knowing what to say; we can start from wherever you are.

Get in touch with us if you think your teenager or someone you know could benefit from taking part - [email protected]

26/08/2026

Can you help us find another welcoming therapy space in Exeter?

We currently have two lovely therapy rooms inside Exeter Library as well as a fab therapy room inside Young Devon. They’re light, airy and accessible by lift- but growing demand means we’re looking for an additional space to rent every week or on an ad hoc basis.

Ideally, we’re looking for somewhere that is:

• Private, quiet and welcoming
• Accessible for children and young people with mobility needs
• Suitable for confidential creative therapy sessions
• Available to rent either regularly each week or on an ad hoc basis
• In Exeter (ideally in the city centre) near public transport links

Perhaps you know of a room inside a creative hub, inside a health and wellbeing organisation or a children's charity, or another suitable venue?

If you have a space available - or know someone who might - please send us a private message via Messenger, or email us [email protected]

We’d also be very grateful if you could share this post and help us to spread the word.

Thank you - we look forward to hearing from you!😊

19/08/2026

Do you know a young person who could benefit from The Social Canvas? This is a lovely supportive and confidential space where young people can explore their thoughts and feelings through creativity. Our art therapy group will meet up once a week on Fridays throughout the autumn term in Exeter Library. Please get in touch if you have a young person in mind, we'd love to hear from you: [email protected]

14/08/2026

Has your child been supported by the team at Youth Arts and Health Trust or perhaps your child is currently receiving support from the therapists at YAHT?

If so, we would love to hear from you 😀

Click on the link and answer two simple questions, it'll only take a minute, and it is completely annoymous.

Your answers will help us to shape our service and support even more children and young people and their families across Exeter and East Devon.

Thank you!

P.S. We will be collecting your answers until Weds 2nd September

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe11jFDD9-w323tGEbJ-fXI71uG7OOXHMQCLJNGlAuQ4LXpYQ/viewform?usp=publish-editor

12/08/2026

Tomorrow hundreds of young people across Devon will be receiving their A level exam results. Here are some tips if you're their parent or carer:

Keep your response to their results calm

Listen without immediately trying to fix things

Try not to compare them with friends or siblings

Acknowledge their feelings- even if their reaction is different to yours

Give them space and time to process their results

Explore the next steps together when they feel ready

And remember their grades do not, and never will define their worth

Best of luck!

06/08/2026

🎨 The Social Canvas - Spaces now available for September!

The Social Canvas is a 16-week art therapy group for secondary school-aged young people who are experiencing challenges with their mental health or emotional wellbeing.

No artistic experience is needed- just a willingness to come along and have a go.

Participants can explore their emotions, express themselves through creative activities, and connect with others who may be feeling the same.

By the end of the programme, young people will have developed greater self-awareness, built confidence, gained tools to support their emotional wellbeing, and formed new friendships along the way.

✨ If you think The Social Canvas could benefit a young person you know, we'd love to hear from you.

Please contact us: [email protected]

03/08/2026

Whether you're working from home, juggling childcare, or managing the neverending finances, the school summer holidays can place extra pressure on you if you’re a parent. Here are a few gentle reminders to support your wellbeing this summer:

🌿 Lower the pressure. Children don't need a packed schedule or expensive days out. Some of the best memories are made through simple moments together.

💛 Take care of yourself. It's ok to need a break. Even 10 minutes with a cup of tea, a walk, or a quiet moment can help you recharge.

🎨 Keep things simple - Get creative, baking, reading, outdoor play, or a family picnic can all bring moments of joy without adding stress.

💬 Talk about feelings. Summer can bring big emotions for children and their families as everyone is out of their usual routine. Whether its excitement, frustration, boredom or worry. Initiate conversations so that everyone feels heard.

🤝 Ask for support if you need it. Parenting isn't meant to be done alone. Reach out to friends, family, neighbours, or local community groups if things feel overwhelming.

🌈 We know that not every day will go to plan, and that's ok. Celebrate the small wins.

And most importantly of all...

*** Be kind to yourself- you are doing enough ***

💚 How do you look after your wellbeing during the school holidays? Let us know in the comments...

28/07/2026

Getting outside and spending time in nature can do wonders for our wellbeing.

The Outdoor Explorer Club has been designed by our friends at Libraries Unlimited in Devon for children, young people and their families.

Take a little time today to step outside with your family and enjoy the fresh air with this fun activity booklet full of creative activities.

https://www.librariesunlimited.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/OEC-Activity-Booklet-2026.pdf

19/07/2026

Here are some photos from our recent YAHT team training day.

Our music therapist Jess Clarke lead an inspiring workshop on supporting children and young people with learning disabilities, including those with profound and complex needs. We learnt lots of new approaches, tried some of the techniques ourselves and we came away feeling inspired, more confident and excited to use some of what we'd learnt!

A huge thank you to the Claire Milne Trust for their grant towards this training and for helping us to continue to improve our therapy spaces, making them even more welcoming and accessible for disabled children, young people and their families.

17/07/2026

WE want to say a huge THANK YOU to the Self Heal Association for a grant that will go towards our 'By Your Side' art therapy programme, for young people experiencing suicidal thoughts. We rely on grant funding and donations to sustain us, so we are always so grateful to our funders. Thank you!

Address

The YES Centre, 22 Cathedral Yard
Exeter
EX11HB

Website

http://www.youthartsandhealth.org/

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