ID Derby CIC

21/08/2026

What an incredible ending to our therapeutic for our SEND, SEN and neurodivergent children. 💛
Over 4 weeks very busy 10-hour shifts each day , we held space for 313 opportunities for children to explore how amazing they are — to play, create, connect and belong. 🌈

We’ve loved every moment and have seen so much growth, confidence, creativity and joy throughout the summer.

On our final day, with consent from all the young artists, we brought together a beautiful art display to celebrate and share their work. 🎨 After the children had finished and we had said our goodbyes, all of the therapists sat together in the space and reflected on just how amazing our HAF has been.

A huge thank you to all the children and families who made it so special, and most of all to the ID Derby team for all their hard work, dedication and care over the last month. ❤️

Until next time… keep playing, creating and remembering just how amazing you are! ✨

19/08/2026

CHILDREN’S ART THERAPY GROUP
Express • Connect • Heal
A small, supportive therapeutic space where children can explore feelings, build connections and develop a stronger sense of self.
💜 What is the group?
Our Art Therapy Group offers children a safe, welcoming space to explore emotions and experiences through art, creativity and relationships.
Children don’t need to be “good at art” — there is no right or wrong way to create. The focus is on the experience, connection and what creativity can help a child communicate when words can be difficult.
Our gentle, relational approach with Maisie supports children to:
🌱 Explore and express feelings💛 Build confidence and self-awareness🎨 Discover their own ways of communicating
🤝 Develop connections and a sense of belonging
✨ Explore identity and a growing sense of self
🌈 GROUP DETAILS
📅 Thursdays | 5:00–6:30pm
📍 ID Derby CIC, 41 Leopold Street, Derby, DE1 2HF
💷 £10 per session
👧 Maximum of 6 children
📆 12-week programme | Term time only
📝 HOW TO JOIN
We welcome family and professional referrals.
A referral form must be completed before a place is offered. An assessment meeting will then take place to explore the child’s needs and ensure the group is a suitable and supportive environment.
This helps us create a small group where every child can feel safe, heard and included.
Contact Maisie:
[email protected]
You don’t have to be an artist to attend.
Sometimes creativity gives children a voice when words are difficult.

08/08/2026

🎨 ART THERAPY OPEN STUDIO – EVERY THURSDAY MORNING 🎨

For over a year now, our Art Therapy Open Studio has been creating a safe, welcoming space where people can come together, create, connect and simply be themselves. 💛

We believe communities can heal together — and sometimes you don’t need to find the right words. Art can help us express what we’re feeling, explore what’s going on inside, and connect with others who may understand.

🌈 No artistic experience is needed.
🖌️ Come along and explore creativity at your own pace.
🤝 Meet others in a supportive, non-judgemental environment.
💭 A space to slow down, reflect and look after your wellbeing.

Our Thursday morning sessions are open to adults who identify as neurodivergent, whether you're dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, or simply looking for a creative and supportive community.

£10 per session

📍 Creative Wellbeing Centre, 41 Leopold Street, Derby, DE1 2HF
📅 Every Thursday morning

If you've been thinking “I’d love to try something like this, but I’m not sure…” — why not take that first step? 🌱

Come as you are. Create alongside others. Be part of a community that believes healing doesn't always have to happen alone. ❤️

📩 [email protected]
🌐 www.idderby.co.uk
📞 Call or text 07759 758613

Please share this post — you never know who in your community might need this space right now. 🎨💛

08/08/2026

Creating a place where every child belongs 💛
Over the HAF programme at ID Derby, we created more than somewhere for children to spend their time.
We created a safe place to be themselves.

Across 12 days, 10 hours a day, 24 children and 9 therapists come together to explore, create, play, communicate and connect.

🎨 Art and creativity
🎵 Music and rhythm
🧩 Play and exploration
🌈 Sensory experiences
📚 Reading and shared stories
🏗️ Building and problem-solving
💬 Opportunities to communicate in their own way

Here, all feelings are valued.

We recognise that behaviour is communication. Instead of asking, “What is wrong with this child?”, we ask, “What is this child trying to tell us?”

We do things differently here.

Our focus is not simply on managing behaviour it is on understanding the child behind the behaviour, responding to their individual needs and giving them the space, relationships and experiences they need to feel safe.

And at the heart of everything is team inclusion.

Children are not expected to fit into one way of learning, playing or communicating. We adapt, we listen, we collaborate and we celebrate difference.

Because when a child feels seen, heard, accepted and valued, they can begin to develop that most important feeling of all:

“I belong here.” 💛
These photographs capture just some of the creativity, connection, play, laughter and curiosity that filled our HAF days so far.

07/08/2026

Why the Work Matters
At ID Derby CIC, we believe that every person has the capacity to heal, grow, and create a meaningful life. We are a neurodivergent-led organisation because lived experience matters. We understand many of the barriers that people face when seeking support for mental health, trauma, and wellbeing, including being turned away, placed on long waiting lists, or told they do not meet the criteria for help.
Rather than defining people by what has happened to them, we help them discover their own strengths, creativity, and purpose. We believe that healing is not something that is done to someone it is something that people actively participate in. Our role is to provide the tools, environment, and support that help people take ownership of their own journey.

We are not a charity. We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) that believes in creating sustainable, high-quality support. Clients invest in their own healing by paying for therapy and creative programmes where appropriate. This investment reflects their commitment to change and enables us to continue providing services that benefit the wider community.

The purpose of ID Derby CIC is to improve mental health, wellbeing, and inclusion through creative practice. We use the arts including visual arts, storytelling, performance, music, and other creative approaches as powerful tools for healing, self-expression, confidence, and connection. Creativity allows people to process experiences, build resilience, and find new ways of seeing themselves and the world.

Our work challenges the idea that people are passive recipients of care. Instead, we support individuals to become active participants in their own recovery and development. We do not claim to "fix" people. We create opportunities for people to discover their own resources, develop practical tools for life, and build futures with greater hope, purpose, and independence.

At ID Derby CIC, our mission is simple: to create spaces where people can heal through creativity, take ownership of their wellbeing, and realise their potential.

id Derby CIC Arts Therapy and Creative Wellbeing. Neurodiversity-Informed Practice Therapy Listening to your stories through the Arts mental health healing

06/08/2026

We welcome adults who identify as neurodivergent, including those who are self-identified or self-diagnosed, as well as those with a formal diagnosis.

Our art therapy group offers a supportive, inclusive space for creative expression, self-exploration, and connection. No previous art experience is needed.

Spaces are limited. Get in touch to find out more or to make a referral.

[email protected]

Www.idderby.co.uk

27/07/2026

What does "busy" look like in a Therapeutic HAF?

It isn't always loud, fast-paced or filled with constant activity.

Sometimes busy looks like a child feeling safe enough to join a game for the first time. Sometimes it's sitting quietly with a trusted adult, trying a new activity, making a friend, or finding the confidence to smile and laugh again.

At ID Derby, we know that many of the children and young people who attend our Therapeutic HAF have experienced complex life experiences. Their needs can be complex too—and that's okay.

Our role isn't to change who they are. It's to provide a safe, nurturing environment where they are accepted, understood and supported. A place where they can build confidence, develop resilience and, most importantly, feel that they belong.

Every small step matters. Every achievement is celebrated. Every child deserves to know they are valued.

Because belonging changes lives. 💙

23/07/2026

At ID Derby CIC , we believe that's something to celebrate not hide. As a neurodivergent-friendly workplace, we know that creativity, individuality, and a little bit of wonderfully "weird" make our team stronger.

Our group activities are a chance to let out the quirky, the imaginative, and the unique parts of ourselves in a safe, welcoming space. Because when people feel accepted for who they are, they thrive.

Be yourself. That's always enough. 💙

21/07/2026

🌸 Our last Wellbeing Warm Space this side of September with the wonderful Zoe! 🎨

Join us today from 10:00am to 1:00pm at the Wellbeing Centre, Leopold Street, Derby for our final creative arts session before we take a break until September.

Come along, get creative, enjoy a warm and welcoming space, and spend time with friendly faces.

Everyone is welcome – we'd love to see you! 💙