OUR IMPACT | 2024
Expanding our reach, deepening impact, and including more children in the arts
Helium Arts is a children’s charity committed to improving the wellbeing of children and young people living with lifelong physical health conditions.
In Ireland, 156,437 or 12% of all children and teenagers live everyday with the effects of illness or disability. These children face a range of challenges, including stigma and social isolation, while parents caring for a child with a long-term health condition face emotional strain.
All children have the right to take part in activities, but those with these conditions face great barriers including:
• Lack of suitable activities - Activities may need to be adapted, but this is not always done, limiting children’s options.
• Medical needs - Children may need medical support during activities, such as help with medication or managing a condition.
• Additional needs - Some children have other needs, like autism or communication difficulties, that require extra support.
• Frequent absences - Health issues can lead to children missing sessions, making it harder to take part in activities with set schedules.
• Parental concerns - Parents may worry about leaving their child in unfamiliar settings and need reassurance that staff can handle their child’s needs.
• Limited local options - Creative and recreational activities may not be available nearby, especially in rural areas.
• Accessibility issues - Public transport may not be accessible, reliable, or affordable, and some buildings and facilities may not be wheelchairfriendly or have suitable toilets.
Through our free creative workshops offered in communities, hospitals, and online, we provide safe and accessible spaces where children navigating health conditions can come together.
Helium Arts uses creativity to inspire these children to feel more confident. By empowering them with tools such as friendship, community and new skills, Helium Arts helps these children to become more prepared and capable of overcoming adversity.
“I felt very included because the people there would listen to me and everyone else.”
Participant
From 2023 to 2024 we’ve grown and deepened our impact, with the participation in our hospital-based programmes increasing by 92% - the overall number of children we reached this year growing to 5,555 from 2,881 in 2023. This has included a large increase in the participation of teenagers in our programmes, from 350 to 1,091, supporting them in their preparation for transition.
And while we grow, we are improving the quality of our service so that children can have improved outcomes in health, wellbeing, social connection and creative expression.
Hospital Outpatient Programme Community Programme Online Programme
OUR STRATEGY
We are in the second year of our five-year strategy, and we are incredibly proud to have already surpassed our year 3 targets for the number of children participating, and the number of hospitals and locations we are working in. We were delighted to expand to Dublin and expand our online programme, ensuring Helium Arts’ presence in key strategic locations in order to increase participation across the country.
We have strong aims to increase the representation of children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from migrant communities, as reflected in the, ‘Improve to Include’ section of this report, and to do so we are making key recruitments to expand our outreach efforts. We have also increased our efforts to monitor, evaluate and improve our work so that we can achieve our vision of an Ireland where all children can connect to their creative powers so they can live life to the full.
OUR STRATEGIC GOALS ARE:
CREATE TO GROW: Generating creative encounters with children who have lifelong health conditions, in the heart of their own communities
ADVOCATE: Working with children and young people to advocate for the child’s right to participate in culture
SHARE:
Sharing our model in partnership with others to increase access to creative practices
IMPROVE TO INCLUDE: Commit to the development and delivery of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy
SUSTAIN:
Continuing our strong track record of governance underpinned by a solid financial model, ready for the next stage
HELIUM ARTS 2024 IMPACT BY COUNTY
“My 2 girls went to bed last night with their artwork beside them. You can never underestimate the impact these programmes have, the experience that lasts from week to week by attending the class is phenomenal.”
HEALTH AND WELLBEING IMPACTS
5,555 children and young people engaged in our programmes through hospital outpatient clinics, community and online programmes.
They participated in our Creative Health Hubs across 341 hospital clinics, 34 community-based camps and meetups across 8 counties in 10 locations, while 234 children also got to have a fulfilling creative experience by joining us virtually through our relaunched national online programme.
Our work is underpinned by a learning approach, hearing from the children, parents and healthcare staff involved in our programmes to ensure they can have the best experience possible, and so we can demonstrate the importance of this work. Here is a snapshot of their experience and what they had to say!
IMPACTS OF OUR HOSPITAL PROGRAMME
In Paediatric Outpatient Clinics our artists work closely with the medical community to provide children, young people, and their families with the opportunity to try out different age-appropriate creative activities. Following their participation in the hospital clinics, children can be referred to our community and online programmes for longer term workshops and camps.
93% of children and teenagers reported they felt happier when going to hospital and
100% of parents said that their child’s mood was positively impacted.
“The children light up when they see [the artist] and the hall full of arts and crafts. It takes the anxiety away from the clinic and makes the waiting enjoyable.”
- Hospital Clinician
98% of children, parents and doctors said their healthcare experience was improved by our hospital and community programmes
IMPACTS OF OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES
In 2024, our community programmes took place in 9 locations across 8 counties, whether as a series of workshops, meetups, camps, or our yearlong youth programme, where children can explore their creativity supported by our professional artists.
Feedback from parents and children before and after the community programme shows big changes:
83% said their children were happier
79% had improved mood
77% had improved self-esteem
50% had improved coping skills
64% had improved connectedness
Children and young people enjoyed many aspects of the community programme sessions such as having fun, getting to know the artists, getting to meet new people and making friends. They also enjoyed trying lots of different creative ideas such as drawing and colouring, playing with blocks, playing games, making puppets, collage work, t-shirt printing, UV light and comics.
96% of children in the community programme would like to continue doing art workshops with Helium Arts.
94% of parents agreed that the arts have an important role in improving the wellbeing of children living with a long-term health condition.
“[My daughter’s] time with Helium has been hugely important and helpful for her and for the whole family. I felt very emotional every time we arrived at Ballybrack knowing she could stay there without us having to stay beside her. The medic being there was so reassuring. The art they created was just amazing. Jinny and the other volunteers were fabulous.”
- Parent of child in the Community Programme
Not only did parents say their children felt better, but seeing their children happier meant that 99% of parents reported their own mood was positively impacted while in the waiting room.
And…
96% of medical professionals reported that their experience of delivering healthcare to children with lifelong physical health conditions was positively impacted.
They also witnessed positive impacts on the hospital experience for children and families, noting that parents and children are happier and less stressed, which leads to clinics running more smoothly. The clinicians saw the arts activities as giving an opening topic for them to engage with the children, allowing them to develop a rapport and better connection with their patients.
IMPACTS OF OUR NATIONAL ONLINE PROGRAMME
We doubled the number of children participating in our online programme this year, growing to 234 participants from 114 in 2023!
The online approach allows children from around the country, particularly those for whom attending in person is challenging, to fully participate in activities with resource packs and artists facilitating their online experience.
78% of children reported feeling happier and being in a better mood after engaging with the Online Programme.
“My daughter was ecstatic to receive her art pack in the post and every weekend she was eager to see what the next email brought so she could start working on it with her brother. She really had great fun, we experimented with arts and crafts that I would not have done with them at home, so it was great learning and fun for all the family to do together.”
- Parent Feedback
ARTS & CREATIVITY IMPACTS
Creativity is at the heart of how we work with children and with each other, enabling artistic exploration and creative engagement.
Our work is underpinned by our evidencedbased model to build creative habits. Children are encouraged and enabled to be: Imaginative, Inquisitive, Collaborative, Persistent and Disciplined in their creative exploration. These creative habits allow children to develop skills that enrich not only their artistic endeavours and imagination, but also support them across all aspects of their lives.
Our programmes lead to greater artistic and creative engagement, with children reflecting that they grew in terms of:
91% of children and 70% of teenagers in our community programme felt they were more frequently participating in arts/ creative activities following engaging with Helium Arts 73% of parents reported an improvement in their child’s creativity following the community programme
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR ARTISTS
We believe there is a great importance in the interaction between the artist and the young people, which is empowering and supports young people to develop their creativity guided by their interests.
Our artists work with each individual child at their own pace and take time to build the connection with each one. They tailor their approaches and activities to the specific interests of the children and young people they work with. The relationship they build, and this tailored approach is what sets us apart from just making ‘art materials’ available in a shared or public space.
The artists see firsthand the changes that the programme makes for these children, and we want to share some of their insights.
“A young boy from the community camp at Easter was there [in this hospital] with his mam and straight away introduced himself to me saying he did the camps. His mam shared with me that the Helium workshops have done wonders for him. His Mam shared that she loved that she got to talk to other parents and connect with them. She was delighted that we were here in the hospital too. Theo was very absorbed with the drawing and was confident in his material and creative choices.”
SHOWCASES OF THE ART
The children participating in our programmes not only have a great experience with improved outcomes, but they also produce incredible work! We are delighted to find ways to showcase the talents of our children and young people which we encourage you to explore through the links here!
“I talked to a teenage boy who is a member of the travelling community - we chatted for ages about his interests, and he engaged in art making for the entire 3 hours that he was in the Infusions clinic - wax resist, watercolours and oil pastels. We are going to make a zine about boxing the next time he’s in clinics and he was so eager and enthusiastic to make art. His mom coloured in a graffiti text sheet while she waited as well. It was such a positive and enjoyable engagement.”
“Our little girl really loved her time at the art camp and as it was a very small class, very personal, she had a lot of one-on-one contact with the team leaders and other attendees as she “works” better in small groups. As she really loves all art and craft related things, she so loved this camp.”
- Parent
Artmaking influences the positive outcomes of these children over time, and as we increase our work with teenagers we are seeing the impact on their career paths and studies, enabling them to pursue creative endeavours far past the programme itself.
Take a moment to explore the creative showcases below by scanning the QR Code
Winchester University’s Centre for Real World Learning (CRWL) Five-dimension Model of Creativity (Lucas, 2022).
“It made me happy - I had fun. I get to be an artist.”
Young Participant
IMPROVE TO INCLUDE
One of our core strategic goals is to ensure we are reaching children from all backgrounds and walks of life, and that our programmes allow for children to engage no matter the barriers they face, whether due to their condition or other factors.
In 2024, 37.4% of participants were from areas characterised by deprivation, 44.3% came from rural areas, and 57.62% had a disability or additional needs. The most common long-term physical health conditions that the children we work with live with are diabetes (21%), epilepsy (14%), and rare conditions (32%).
59% of participants on our community and online programmes were girls and 38% were boys (3% were not recorded).
Our commitment to access includes ensuring there are onsite medics for our community programmes, that our workshops are free and provided in accessible venues close to the communities where the children are from.
A significant development in 2024 was the launch of our Paediatric Inclusion Health programme (PIH). Through this we are working with PIH clinics, such as the Lynn Clinic in Dublin 1, focused on outreach to children at risk of social exclusion. Through the twice weekly programmes in the clinics, we have reached 144 children. We are working to expand this programme by developing relation ships with other inclusion clinics across the country, so that we can deepen our reach with children facing exclusion, including children living in direct provision.
Due to the very particular and unique set up of the PIH clinics, children are able to experience the unique opportunity to work oftentimes on a 1-1 basis with a professional Helium Artist, an opportunity that they may never have had.
Moving forward we are recruiting an Outreach and Communications Officer who will focus on developing relationships with community and health organisations so we can ensure that all children have the chance to participate.
of participants were from areas characterised by deprivation
from rural areas had a disability or additional needs
Photo Credit: Julian Beale
FURTHER IMPACTS
The impacts on children’s wellbeing and opportunities for artistic expression are at the core of our work, and so many people contribute to making this happen. We love seeing the positive impacts for others that we work with whether that be:
• Families feeling greater cohesion and having the ability to solve problems together
• Medical professionals having more positive interactions with their patients
• Artists feeling they are having a positive impact on children’s lives
In 2024, we were delighted to have our incredible medics providing 97 days of support and 40 active volunteers supporting our community programmes.
PARENTS, CAREGIVERS, AND FAMILIES
Research has also shown that our programmes have a significant impact on the wellbeing of parents, caregivers and families, such as:
• Significant improvement in caregiver emotional wellbeing and reduced feelings of caregiver burden.
• Enhanced family dynamics and strengthened relationships, including sibling bonds.
• Improved emotional resilience through regular engagement with creative activities.
• Reduced caregiver isolation by establishing strong community support networks.
• Increased caregiver confidence and reassurance from onsite medical support, allowing them to fully relax during their personal respite time.
• Positive shifts in caregiver mood and emotional state triggered by their child’s joy, reinforcing a sense of emotional connection and mutual upliftment.
extract from
AWARENESS RAISING
96% of parents and medical professionals reported that their awareness of the positive impact of arts and creativity for wellbeing was increased
TRANSITION
As we work with a larger cohort of teenagers through our programmes we are looking toward the next stages they encounter. Major life changes, such as moving to a new school or transitioning to adult healthcare services, can be especially difficult for young people with chronic health conditions. Adolescents may struggle with taking responsibility for their own care, and parents may worry about allowing them more independence. Ensuring consistency in support and services can help make transitions easier, and we are working to equip these young people for this journey.
“This is the first time in 10 years ever doing a camp - he has more confidence in himself, he was very proud of himself. His anxiety reduced! The set up really suited his needs. The helpers and artist really understood his needs. It was lovely for him to have something to go to.”
- Parent
Research outcomes
masters study, ‘Exploring caregiver perspectives and experiences of Helium arts-based programmes’, Prutha Ranjit Kolte, University of Galway, MSc in Health Psychology, August 2024
Franciszek’s Story
When Franciszek was 7 years old, he became very sick and was diagnosed with type one diabetes in the hospital. After recovering from the initial illness, he and his family had to adjust to a new routine.
Agnieszka saw the positive impact it had on her son, not just creatively but also in connecting with other young people who had similar experiences.
“What it means for me is that I have to regularly inject myself with insulin and stick to a schedule of when I’m eating”.
In the years since his diagnosis, he has become accustomed to monitoring his blood sugar levels and attending regular hospital appointments to stay well. Like many children living with lifelong health conditions, Franciszek sometimes felt quite isolated. His mother, Agnieszka, reflected,
“It could be lonely, when you think you’re the only one, the only one with this condition, and dealing with sickness that not everyone would understand”
Franciszek had always been interested in art and creativity, so when he and his mom came across Helium Arts, they eagerly seized the opportunity to get involved.
“I was really excited to start with Helium – it opened up all sorts of opportunities for different workshops. It was special every time, we explored so many different mediums and kinds of art. I came every chance I could, and it’s not something I would have had the chance to do otherwise.”
“I was so happy to see him meeting other children, seeing that he wasn’t the only one who had to deal with sickness. And what’s special about it is that the focus isn’t on the illness, it’s on the art –he’s always been creative and now he’s thinking more about art, that keeps him busy”
Now a teenager, Franciszek has had the chance to participate in many different activities over the years, including displaying his work as part of the Helium Arts Showcase in Cork.
“I loved it – it felt really good sharing your ideas and your art with other people. And I remember getting to meet the mayor of Cork, and the fact that they saw my art made me feel really proud”
As he begins to think about his future, the encouragement of the artists who have worked with him through the programmes has made an impact on the path he wants to follow.
“Being part of Helium Arts has shown me all the different kinds of art I could explore, I don’t know exactly what career I want yet, but I know that I’m creative and I want to explore that as I move forward”
Finn’s Story
Finn is the youngest of 3 boys, and just like his brothers’ his life is filled with the bustle of sports and activities - GAA, soccer, swimming, tennis, and athletics. But for Finn this activity is a key part of keeping him well as he lives with cystic fibrosis, a condition that requires daily physio sessions and nebulizer treatments.
Finn’s mom Grainne has long focused on ensuring he lives a happy full life, but it’s not an easy journey as risks of infection and complications is an ever-present worry for the family. That’s why the Helium Arts’ Distance Creates online programme offered a unique chance for Finn to have a space to embrace his creative side in a safe environment.
“He is so creative, and it just gives him a little bit of downtime” explains Grainne, “He really loved it, I’m thinking of the excitement he would have when the package from his ‘pen pal’ would arrive in the post... he just thought he was the business! It was a way of having connection with other children.”
The variety of activities offered something different every time, from creating with clay, to paint, even to activities that mirrored exercises he had to do to manage his condition.
“We had a week where we had a canvas and we were blowing paint across the thing, which is, actually one of the physio exercises that they get us to do with blowing through the straws and stuff.”
Grainne also highlights how the programme provided a different kind of connection – a family connection. With Finn’s brothers joining in, the art sessions became a shared activity.
“The other 2 were getting involved in this as well, because I was sitting at the kitchen table with Finn and sure, they were coming out going, ‘Oh, give me a sheet of paper, give me some of the clay.’ And they were making their own things as well. So it got us all sitting down and actually just taking 30 minutes to actually just sit down in the moment.”
In a life often filled with rushing from one activity to the next, the programme offered a rare opportunity for calm and togetherness. As Grainne reflected,
“I enjoyed the Saturday morning, still in our PJs sometimes, sitting down at the kitchen table having time together, basically.”
For Grainne, the Helium Arts programme offered more than just an artistic outlet for Finn; it provided a sense of normalcy and connection, and a welcome contrast to the medical challenges of cystic fibrosis.
“For me, it was having that connection with him that I don’t get on the side of a football pitch. I don’t have a connection with them there. Where this is me and him sitting down, having that connection together and it does help him and that boosts his confidence, and we just come away from it feeling happier for the day.”
This is a summary of the Helium Arts 2024 Evaluation Report, an independent and objective evaluation of the Helium Arts Creative Health Programme between January-December 2024 undertaken by Helga Sneddon of Outcome Imps.
For full report and impact video please scan the QR code:
www.helium.ie
+ 353 (0) 44 93 96 960 | info@helium.ie
Helium Arts
Top Floor, 22 Pearse Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, N91 VYP0
Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20075200
Helium Arts is a registered charity and compliant with the requirements of the Charities Regulator, the national regulatory authority for charities in Ireland, while also being a double Good Governance Award winner and awarded ‘Triple Lock’ status by the Charities Institute Ireland (CII).
Acknowledgements
In 2024, Helium Arts’ national Creative Health Hub Programme was supported by Rethink Ireland, Community Foundation Ireland, the Arts Council and the Lakeside Fund. The Hub Programme was also funded by the Communities Integration Fund.
Helium Arts was awarded an RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grant by Community Foundation Ireland to deliver a programme in Paediatric Inclusion Health Clinics in the Mid West and Dublin.
Helium Arts also had support from Social Entrepreneurs Ireland as an awardee of the Changing Ireland Accelerator 2023-2024.
An Roinn Leanaí, Míchumais agus Comhionannais Department of Children, Disability and Equality