Art therapy charity to close after 16 years helping sick children

This was approved by OSCR on Thursday.

The charity was set up in 2010 by Laura and John Young, of Gullane, after seeing the gaps in care for children with rheumatological issues who were regularly visiting hospital.

They were left devastated after their daughter, Verity, died from cancer in November 2009.

Verity suffered from Lupus and had spent most of her short life in hospital.

To cope with her disease, Verity had taken comfort in art as a way to escape her illness.

During this terrible time, Laura channelled her grief into setting up the Teapot Trust.

The caring mum was inspired by the fact that Verity loved the tea parties her family threw for her to raise her spirits while she was in hospital.

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In 2014, Laura was named Tesco Charitable Mum of the Year and, in 2015, Prime Minister David Cameron named her and husband John Points of Light, an award reserved for those who contribute greatly to society.

In the 2016 New Year’s Honours, Laura was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to chronically ill children, and was the recipient of an honorary degree from Queen Margaret University at Musselburgh the previous year.

In 2017, Laura was named Scotswoman of the Year by the Glasgow Evening Times. She also won the ‘health’ category as community champions were recognised by the Scottish Parliament in 2023.

She stood down as CEO of Teapot Trust in 2019, followed by her husband, a trustee of the charity, a year later.

Teapot Trust, based at The Drying House, Eskmills Park, explained in its announcement: “Our role has been an impactful one in children’s journeys, providing creative space where they could explore, express and make sense of their experiences of illness and treatment.

“We helped them find their voice so that they no longer felt defined by illness.”

The charity has worked with more than 60 hospitals, community and charity partners across the UK as well as online.

Teapot Trust said: “With our partners, we responded to real needs, pioneering innovative approaches to art therapy, helping children overcome needle phobia and cope with complex treatment regimes.

“Through our Young Voices programme, young people shaped spaces for creativity, connection and confidence-building, ensuring their perspectives informed both practice and service development. 

“As we move forward, our focus is on concluding our current art therapy commitments with care, responsibility and respect for those involved. 

“Collaboration has always been central to Teapot Trust’s way of working. We have led and contributed to research that will continue to inform practice beyond the life of the charity.

“Our free-to-access art therapy resources, created by Teapot Trust’s art therapists and staff, and informed by lived experience, are used by families worldwide and will remain available as part of this ongoing legacy. These resources are on Teapot Trust’s website at www.teapot-trust.org which will remain ‘live’ until December 2026, after which time the website will be archived.

“Teapot Trust’s ‘Elsewhere’ Garden at Glasgow Children’s Hospital – a permanent public space created in partnership with many contributors and recognised with a gold award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2023 – stands as a lasting contribution to children’s health and wellbeing. 

“While we know many stories of the children, young people and families we worked alongside, we also recognise that many impacts are unseen and continue quietly over time. Being part of these wider stories is something we hold with humility and gratitude.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been part of Teapot Trust’s journey over the past 16 years, including children and families, staff, art therapists, trustees, patrons, Young Voices members, clinicians, nurses, hospital and community partners, volunteers, donors and funders, our founders John and Laura Young, and all who have supported the charity’s work. Thank you.”