Local charity Blue Smile celebrated its 15th anniversary on 28th May with a reception hosted by Downing College, Cambridge. Founded in 2010 by Cambridge-based psychotherapist Amanda Langford, Blue Smile provides specialist mental health support to children aged 3-13 in Cambridgeshire schools.
Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Blue Smile’s Patron, Director of the Autism Research Centre and a Professor at the University of Cambridge’s Psychology and Psychiatry Departments, spoke to supporters and volunteers at the event. He highlighted that a shocking one in five children currently experiences mental health challenges – and for autistic children, as many as three quarters may experience depression or anxiety.
“I first got involved with Blue Smile at its beginning really, so 2010, as an advisor because I work in the field of mental health and neurodevelopmental disability. I have to say I'm really proud to be associated with Blue Smile. The reason I got involved was that I could see even in the early days that Blue Smile was filling a void for children and their mental health, and also the vision of recognising that where they could make their contribution was directly in schools with children.” Professor Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, Blue Smile Patron
Amanda Langford paid tribute to the tireless efforts of all those who helped to in set up and build the charity.
“I’ve always loved that saying, it takes a village to raise a child. Anybody can have an idea. But this village, this local community, got behind it with skills, with time, with money. It was unbelievable.”
A new film launched at the event underlined the impact that Blue Smile’s therapists have for children, featuring the story of 9 year-old Lilly (not her real name) who was referred for support after the death of her mother. The animated film was made by Sasha Haxell (https://sashahaxell.com/), a recent graduate of the Anglia Ruskin Animation and Illustration course.
Since 2010, Blue Smile’s therapists have
- supported over 3000 children
- worked in 83 schools across Cambridgeshire
- delivered 47,058 one-to-one arts-based therapy sessions.
For more information, visit www.BlueSmile.org.uk.
