We offer support to children and young people aged 4–17 years, and their families, who live in the London Borough of Hillingdon. This service is available to those who have experienced bereavement or have someone close to them with a serious or terminal illness. We offer:

• Individual art therapy sessions
• Group art therapy
• End of life support and conversations
• Family sessions
• Parent support groups
• Advice for families & professionals
• Memorial events & creative workshops
• Psychoeducation for parents and carers.

Every child and family is different and our therapists will find the right approach to help with your child’s or family’s needs. We are an inclusive service, respectful of religious, cultural, spiritual grieving traditions and rituals.

Compassionate

Inclusive

Adaptable

Collaborative

Accountable

Curious

This service is free for children and families living in the London borough of Hillingdon.

We provide therapy sessions in the North and South of Hillingdon borough at:

Lansdowne House, St Peters Way, Hayes, UB3 5AB and Michael Sobell House, Mount Vernon Hospice, Northwood, HA6 2RN.

We can also offer:

• Online therapy support if a family is unable to come to either Hospice site
• Online parent groups
• Telephone advice and support.

Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art materials to help express feelings that are often too difficult to put into words. It is a three way process between the client, their art work and the therapist.

Art making in the sessions often helps children and young people discuss their feelings with the art therapist; it can help shift perspectives and understand difficult feelings and behaviours with more clarity. Art therapy is not an art lesson and you don’t have to be ‘good at art’, however there is an opportunity to explore new skills and techniques. If you don’t want to make art work, that’s ok too, we can provide talking therapy sessions.

“My daughter has started talking about her father much more. It was very helpful to be introduced to CABS service before my husband passed away, as it provided continuity and safety for my child” – Parent of child who attended CABS sessions.

“Neurodiversity describes the idea that people experience and interact with the world around them in many different ways; there is no one ‘right’ way of thinking, learning, and behaving, and differences are not viewed as deficits. The word neurodiversity refers to the diversity of all people, but it is often used in the context of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other neurological or developmental conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities. Neurodiversity advocates inclusive non-judgmental language.” 

(Harvard Medical School, Baumer, N., Frueh, J, 2021)