Regional arts therapy charity sets ambitious funding target for its anniversary year

COVENTRY, U.K. - Aug. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- A Birmingham-based charity that has been delivering arts therapy to the West Midlands Region since 1993 has set itself an ambitious fundraising target for its twentieth year in operation.

With many charities finding it difficult to keep going, BCAT, the Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies, has so far managed to keep its head above water, but to ensure it can keep providing this vital service they have set themselves a target of raising £250k during the anniversary year to celebrate twenty years of serving the community.

BCAT, which is based in Highgate, provides arts therapies to both children and adults who have a wide range of needs, such as those arising from emotional, behavioural or mental health problems and effects of stress and trauma.

With many charities finding it difficult to operate in a climate of budget cuts, BCAT is hoping to engage in many newfundraising activities to continue its work.

Angela Fenwick from BCAT said:

“We not only provide a service to children and adults, but we also serve as a resource centre and a teaching establishment for the training, education and support of professionals and carers. We also hold, update and make a library of information that promotes the understanding of benefits of the arts therapies as a whole.

“So far we have managed to weather the storm and kept our services going throughout these difficult circumstances. I believe the bad times are behind us but we need to pull out all the stops to raise as much as we can in our anniversary year if we are to continue to bring arts therapies to those who need them.”

Over twenty years, BCAT has provided all sorts of arts-based therapies in art, music, drama, dance and play and has distinguished patrons from across the arts, including the former conductor of the CBSO, Sir Simon Rattle.

The arts therapies sessions are so popular, that managers recommend them to their colleagues and parents ‘pass the word on’ to other parents, resulting in many relying on the services the Centre provides for the welfare of those in their care.

BCAT has had many testimonials from users of the service, including one from the mother of a 13-year-old boy who suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome, who said:

“I cannot believe the improvement that Art Therapy and BCAT have made for my son. He has made tremendous new progress after attending the Art Therapy sessions and as a result, he is now attending a mainstream school as opposed to a special school! THANK YOU BCAT.”

Angela Fenwick added:

“BCAT provides such an amazing service that we have seen our referral rate go up by fifty per cent this year. Our arts therapies continue to help clients to cope with all sorts of stresses, the effects of mental health problems, family break-up, bereavement, bullying and abuse. 

“It would be a catastrophe for the region, and for all the people who rely on us, if we were not able to continue to help to all those in need of our services.   We are always looking for new fundraisers and any income-generating ideas would be welcome to keep BCAT going, so that future generations can benefit from arts therapies.”

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For more information, contact Angela Fenwick on 07843 256 902

Notes to editors

The Birmingham Centre for Arts Therapies is an innovative charity, which was set up in 1993 to provide accessible arts therapies service throughout the Midlands.

The centre is unique in that it brings together art, drama, music and dance movement therapy in one centre which can be accessed both here and in an outreach capacity. Clients come from all over the Midlands, being referred by GP's, parents, carers or through self.

Everyone has the ability to respond to the arts in many ways. Sometimes the arts provide a different perspective in which to respond to difficulties. BCAT allows people the chance to explore these difficulties, no matter what they may be, in a safe environment with a registered therapist who has been trained to offer support or encouragement.

BCAT provides an outreach service throughout the Midlands. This can take place in schools, prisons, hospitals, homes for the elderly, day centres for those with physical and sensory disabilities etc - anywhere in which a safe environment can be created for the individual.

BCAT is based at The Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Road, Highgate, Birmingham. 

Tel: 0121 440 8273.  Web-site: www.bcat.info