Ahead of the Imara Charity Art Auction, which previews this Saturday at Broadway Gallery, Isabel Scott spoke to Imara Fundraiser Kirsty K to find out more about the important work of the charity and why you should spruce up your walls with some of the art they have on offer.
Imara is a Nottingham-based charity that supports children, young people and families affected by sexual and domestic abuse. Since it started in 2010, it has worked with 2,200 children and young people and 1,500 families across Nottingham. Along with providing specialist therapeutic support, including art psychotherapy and CHISVA (Children and Young People’s Independent Sexual Violence Advisor) support, they have rolled out education programmes to the police and and social services.
Founded by art therapist Cath Wakeman, Imara specialises in art therapy and holds creative empowerment at its core. Drawing, painting, clay, collage, music, drama and movement all make up part of Imara’s art therapy. Last year alone, Imara delivered 3706 therapy sessions and over 3398 hours of CHISVA support. Their art psychotherapy allows children to communicate when they may be too young to have the words to explain their experiences or feelings. Kirsty explains Imara’s therapy places the child in control “after experiences where control was taken away from them.” In this sense autonomy can be an incredibly important part of the healing process. “Art becomes a language in itself,” says Kirsty.
Imara’s belief that there is no single “right” way for creative expression is placed at the heart of the fundraiser. The auction includes a range of art, from paintings, drawings, photography to mixed media art, provided by talented artists from within Imara’s team, as well as from family, friends and Nottingham’s vibrant creative community.
Within Imara’s art therapy, children are encouraged to experiment with different materials and forms of expression in order to help children find the best tools for their therapeutic journey. Through both their therapy services and their art sale, Imara encourages art as a means of expression that anyone can benefit from, whether artistic or not. Kirsty explains art therapy benefits children specifically, not only because it allows survivors to explore feelings and experiences at their own pace, but also through encouraging different perspectives and starting conversations, in therapy but also in the wider community.
For Kirsty, the auction is “a lovely example of art creating positive change in more ways than one,” both through the promotion of art in the community and the funds raised for their services.
Through both their therapy services and their art sale, Imara encourages art as a means of expression that anyone can benefit from, whether artistic or not
Due to funding criteria and restrictions, the therapy services Imara offers are not fully funded by the NHS or Nottinghamshire County Council, so everything raised from the sale help Imara to continue their work across Nottingham, supporting not only the children and young people who are survivors of abuse, but also siblings, carers and parents. This allows Imara flexibility to respond to the therapeutic needs of children and young people, rather than the criteria of a grant.
“Recovery from trauma isn’t always linear and doesn’t happen on a timetable,” Kirsty explains, going on to note that the changing nature of sexual abuse they’re seeing isn’t always approved for funding. Online and image-based sexual abuse is on the rise, but traditional funding criteria is yet to catch up.
“Fundraising events like this helps us work towards providing therapy for as long as a child or young person needs it,” says Kirsty. “When they’re ready for it, and regardless of whether their experience fits neatly into a funding category.”
The Robin Hood half marathon which took on 27 September is also an important fundraiser for Imara, raising £25,000 last year.
As well as obtaining all important funds, the art sale helps raise the profile of Imara and challenge taboos around trauma, and sexual and domestic abuse. The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse estimates that one in six children experience sexual abuse before the age of eighteen, which is something Imara wants to raise awareness of in order to destigmatise their work and survivors’ experiences.
The more open the conversation is around child abuse, the more likely it is that survivors seek the support they need. Imara challenges the harmful misconception that children will just ‘grow out of’ trauma. “With the right support, children can recover, heal and thrive, but they need space, time and specialist help to do that,” Kirsty explains.
Events like this bring together the local community and celebrate Nottingham’s supportive and creative culture, whilst recognising the important work Imara does and continuing an open conversation around child sexual and domestic abuse. You can find out a little more about Imara’s work by watching the short film made in collaboration with the Media Trust here: When I Didn’t Have Words: The Journey of a Young Survivor.
Imara’s print sale takes place 11am-5pm on Saturday 10 October at Broadway Gallery. Online bidding for original artwork starts 10 October and ends on 1 November, and there will be a viewing week from Monday 26 October until Sunday 1 November at Nottingham Society of Artists Gallery, open 10am-6pm. There are also creative workshops taking place throughout the week, suitable for all ages.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
