All Artscape Art Therapists
- Are qualified. They have an M.A. in Art Psychotherapy Practice or equivalent.
- Are registered with the Health Professionals Council
- Have enhanced CRB clearance
- Have Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Are members of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT)
Artscape is supported by the Department of Health and we have received funding to assist with the provision of an Art Therapy Service in the North West
Our mission is to provide and promote high quality Art Therapy Services to children, adolescents and vulnerable adults in the North West.
We work with both groups and individuals in a variety of settings across the North West including schools, colleges, pupil referral units, CAMHS, health centres and youth centres.
About us
Artscape was created out of the need to link up those wanting an Art Therapy Service in the North West with qualified Art therapists who could provide one.
Artscape was set up in 2008. It is a not for profit Community Interest Company. The aim is to bring together self employed Art Therapists who would otherwise be working in isolation and to promote a better understanding of Art Therapy in the North West. The number of Artscape members is steadily increasing.
Profile: Avril Neagle
Specialist areas: Avril currently works with children and adolescents in education and community settings and with people who have suffered brain injuries and trauma. She also has a special interest in working with children of asylum seekers and refugees.
Qualifications: Avril has an M.A.in Art Psychotherapy Practice.
She is also a qualified social worker and counsellor.
Experience: Prior to training as an Art Therapist, Avril worked as a social worker for 12 years for Barnardo’s and Salford City Council with children and families affected by a wide range of disabling and life threatening conditions.
As a trainee Art Therapist, She worked in a Child and Family Therapy Team (CAMHS) in Sheffield and developed an Art Therapy service in a mainstream high school in Manchester.
Since qualifying as an Art Therapist, she has worked in variety of settings within the NHS, Children’s Services, Education and the Voluntary sector. She has provided one to one sessional Art Therapy to young people in tier 4 CAMHS, East Lancashire Health Care Trust and run Art Therapy groups for Trafford Youth Offending Service, Partington Youth Partnership; Flixton Pupil Referral Unit and blueSci mental health recovery service. Avril has also provided Art Therapy to individuals affected by acquired brain injuries e.g. following severe head injuries as part of their rehabilitation.
Avril has been running themed Art and Anger groups for the past 2 years, aimed at helping young people to express and manage anger. Individual one to one sessions are also provided.
Avril co-founded Artscape in 2008. Her bid to the Department of Health for support to establish the service was successful and funding was granted in April 2009.
Current projects:
Avril is currently providing Art Therapy to children, young people and families in Trafford as part of the Trafford CYPS Family Engagement and Support Service. This innovative new service provides individual, family and group Art Therapy sessions to children and young people affected by bereavement, loss and significant change but who are not in a state of crisis.
She also works as a School Project Manager for the charity, the Place2Be, running a therapeutic support service within a primary school in Moss Side, Manchester.
Avril provides Art Therapy through the Meningitis Trust to children and young people affected by Meningitis.
