Young people at Becton are often unable to leave the facility for a variety of reasons and so the school on-site can be a big part of children’s lives, not just for learning but for social interaction and developing interests too. The absence of a school routine and family life at home can make the holidays a challenging time for long-term patients. Our school holiday programme aims to address this with a series of patient-chosen workshops that positively impact mental health.

The charity's specialist arts team, Art+, alongside patients themselves, will design a diverse programme of activities for delivery by artists and other professionals throughout the holidays. Patients and staff at Becton have seen and experienced huge improvements in mental well-being through previous workshops and are keen to develop a longer lasting scheme that incorporates their interests, and provides a much-needed break from the clinical focus of their stay.