Our Story

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We believe in the power of creativity to help children heal.

 

Children don't always have the words to explain what they're feeling or what has happened to them.

Through play, movement, art and creativity, children can explore difficult feelings and experiences safely and at their own pace, supported by a qualified creative therapist.

 

"Creativity is the alternative to verbal communication."- Nuria

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And sometimes the outcome is beautifully simple. 

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""That's the beauty of it: children can play and heal."- Kathleen

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Every child deserves that chance. 

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Yet getting the right support isn't always easy. Private therapy is unaffordable for many families, while statutory services can mean long waits of high thresholds for support. 

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We believe therapy should be available because a child needs it, not simple because their family can afford it. 

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That's why BCTC provides professional, affordable creative therapy for children and young people across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and surrounding areas. 

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How we began

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Bristol Creative Therapy Centre was founded in 2022 by a small group of creative therapists who had already seen first-hand the difference this kind of support could make. 

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When the organisation we worked for lost its funding, the qualified therapist were made redundant. But the children still needed help. 

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So we decided to keep going.

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We met in a church hall and worked through everything we would need to create a new organisation. Within months, Bristol Creative Therapy Centre was seeing children. 

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As we put it:

"We couldn't not do it."

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A friend walked 100 miles to raise enough money to cover our first three months' rent while BCTC got established. 

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Since then, we've grown to supports around 90 children each year, providing .... creative therapy sessions through our two therapy rooms at the Vassall Centre. 

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