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.

Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Royal College of Psychiatry  quote

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

  • 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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"Art can reach parts of us that are inaccessible to other ways of communication. Art is medicine for our deeper selves. What better way to provide health giving opportunities than for it to come to you in a bus like a scanner for your psyche."

Sir Grayson Perry CBE RA and Patron of AT The Bus
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“Imaginative schemes for helping us all engage with issues surrounding mental health and wellbeing are to be applauded. I would like to express my support and enthusiasm for the principles behind this project and am especially excited about the way this practice will use the therapeutic power of art to make a difference.”

Chris Price, Headteacher of The Cherwell School
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“AT The Bus goes to the heart of what is needed by schools, in providing a place where young people can take time out, explore issues that are important to them and be heard. This special space will help young people to think creatively, to develop strategies that work and to fulfil their unique potentials. At a time when young people’s mental health is a concern for us all, having a place to help them in this way will be a huge asset in our community.”

Marion Stevenson, Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire
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I have known Juli, the Founder of The Art Room charity, for over a decade and been familiar with the Beattie Method throughout that time. I can say with a great deal of confidence that this is one of the most transformative methodologies I have come across in my time in education.

Emmanuel Botwe, Headteacher of Tytherington School
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“AT The Bus is a charity offering young people access to a high quality provision that seeks to improve their mental health. We work in the belief that all young people at some point in their lives may need access to therapy. There is no stigma or labelling involved in this provision at all. Young people may need support for a variety of reasons which may be deep seated or may be unexpected."

Gloria Lowe, Headteacher of Sydenham School and Trustee of AT The Bus
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News & Events More info Newsletter sign-up

  • Run, jog or walk the Blenheim 7k for AT The Bus!

    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

    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

    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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