About Us
AT The Bus offers a school-based programme of art as therapy to support the education, health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 5-16 in Oxfordshire and London. Group sessions take place during the school day in a purposely designed therapeutic studio space either in a double decker bus located on school grounds, or in specially designed studio spaces within a school.
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We are currently working with nine schools: five primary schools in Oxford and London; New Marston Primary School, Sandhills Primary School and SS Philip and James Primary School in Oxford; Barlby Primary School in West London and Brackenbury Primary School in Hammersmith and Fulham. We also work with three secondary schools in Oxfordshire; The Cherwell School, Greyfriars Catholic School (formerly St Gregory the Great Catholic School) and Lord Williams’s School in Thame, and one secondary special school in London, St Marylebone CE Bridge School.
AT The Bus students work in small groups led by experienced facilitators trained in The Beattie Method, a creative therapeutic intervention that supports mental wellbeing, alleviates anxiety, develops resilience and helps young people build their self-esteem, self-confidence and independence. The double decker bus and static studio spaces in which we work offer calm, safe spaces on school sites for students to access easily.
Appointment of Joint CEOs
In 2022 the Board of Trustees agreed the joint appointment to Chief Executive Officer of Juli Beattie (Founder) and Maggie Scott. Juli and Maggie share a collaborative partnership approach. Both report directly to the Board of Trustees, with clear responsibilities and areas of accountability. Their complementary skill sets will significantly enhance leadership capacity and provide substantial resilience for the charity.
Too many children and young children with complex needs struggle to attend school. The services that could help them are overwhelmed. Of the half a million young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) every year, only one in four receive the help they need. The need for our services is greater than ever.
The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the nation's mental health, but it's becoming increasingly clear that children and young people are suffering terribly. Early intervention is the key to recovery. Schools have a critical role to play in this.
Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatry
Setting the context: mental health stats for the under 18s
- In 2023 20% of 8-16 year olds had a probable mental health disorder
- In 2023 39% of 6 to 16 year olds had experienced deterioration in mental health since 2017
- 50% of all mental health problems start by the age of 14
- In 2023 children with a probable mental disorder were less likely than children unlikely to have a mental disorder to have at least one friend they could turn to for support at school (75.3% compared with 92.4%)
Ways to Support Us
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Donate
Donate now and help us address the current crisis in children’s wellbeing. With your support, AT The Bus can provide mental health support to more young people in school, where they are best placed to access it. “The way that you listen to me in here. That calms me down” AT The Bus student
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Fundraise for AT The Bus
You might already have an idea about how to raise much needed funds for us. Coffee mornings, sponsored runs or swims, cake sales, concerts – there are so many ways. We’d love to hear what you have planned.
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Volunteer
If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please get in touch. We’d be delighted to hear from you. There are all sorts of ways you can be involved.
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Become a Friend of AT The Bus
We’d love to have you join our wonderful family of committed supporters. Through regular donations, you will enable us to provide our unique and effective solution for more young people.
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News & Events More info Newsletter sign-up
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Run, jog or walk the Blenheim 7k for AT The Bus!
Every year Blenheim Palace opens its doors for a 7km fun run to support local charities and we are thrilled that AT […]
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Spring Newsletter 2024
Children’s Mental Health Week 5-11 February 2024 Concerns about children’s wellbeing and mental health have grown over the past few […]
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Secret Postcard Exhibition: Me, Myself and More”
AT The Bus Secret Postcard Exhibition and Fundraiser This years theme: “Me, Myself and More” When: 24th January – 10th […]
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