Cork children’s arts charity pay visit to Lord Mayor

THE Lord Mayor of Cork councillor Kieran McCarthy recently welcomed practitioners and young people involved in Helium Arts to City Hall — a group he said are “very worthy of honouring”.

Helium Arts is a children’s charity which aims to improve the wellbeing of children and teenagers living with lifelong physical health conditions by providing free creative workshops which take place in hospitals, online, in person, and within local communities.

Several participants along with their families recently met with the Lord Mayor to speak about the impact of their participation in the Helium Arts programmes in Cork.

'Worthy of honouring'

The charity hosts workshops across various locations across Cork, including Mayfield Arts Centre, the Togher Family Centre, and the Big Blue Cube in Mallow.

“The practitioners and participants in the various Helium programmes are very worthy of honouring,” the Lord Mayor said.

“The confidence and positivity of the children is clear to see. Helium Arts breaks down barriers that many of us take for granted.

“It creates opportunities for expression and growth among children and young people who have lifelong physical conditions. It is important that the arts and culture embedded in Irish society does not leave anyone behind.”

Challenges

Helene Hugel, CEO and artistic director for Helium Arts, said 13% of children in Ireland live with the challenges of a lifelong health condition.

“Research shows that young people living with health conditions face loneliness, stress, anxiety, and can feel defined by their condition.

“They experience stigma associated with their condition, social isolation, and loneliness and fewer quality friendships. At Helium Arts, we’re committed to addressing these challenges year-round. According to a recent independent evaluation of our community program, 100% of parents reported that their child experienced an improved quality of life after participating in Helium Arts workshops.

“This is a testament to the positive impact of our work on the lives of these young individuals and their families,” she said.

Children and young people interested in participating in a Helium Arts workshop — online, or in person — can find details of events taking place nationwide at https://helium.ie/workshops.