Associacão SAF, the Portuguese arm of The Sovereign Art Foundation, launched the Make It Better programme in 2021 to support disadvantaged children in Portugal. Read on to learn more and contact us to get involved!
About Make It Better Portugal
Make It Better is, an initiative that supports children from low-income backgrounds and with special educational needs in Portugal with a programme of expressive arts groups designed to build self-esteem, confidence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills. The sessions provide children an opportunity to freely express themselves in a safe space using different forms of art, building confidence and communication skills. Each session is a personal journey for a child, a time and a place dedicated to creativity and self-discovery in a trusting environment. Any feelings or emotions that arise during the art-making process are held in confidence within the trusted group setting.
Make It Better Portugal is run by Associacão SAF, which was established in 2021 to carry out the mission of The Sovereign Art Foundation (SAF) in Portugal. SAF has been making an impact with Make It Better in Hong Kong for over 12 years – read more about our Hong Kong programme by clicking below.
” My son is very happy in art therapy sessions, and it ends up being contagious, as I also count down the days until his next turn“
Parent of a beneficiary in the Expressive Arts Workshop
Programme Objectives
Emotional Expression and Communication
Expressive Arts Therapy offers a non-verbal avenue for children with special educational needs (SEN) and caregivers to express complex emotions and thoughts. This approach facilitates emotional regulation and coping skills in a supportive environment, especially for those who struggle with verbal communication.
Social Skills and Collaboration
Group Expressive arts therapy sessions encourage social interaction, teamwork, and empathy among participants. These settings help children develop essential social skills, fostering connections and understanding with peers.
Creativity, Self-Esteem, and Stress Reduction
Engaging in expressive art activities allows children to witness the outcomes of their creative endeavors, instilling a sense of accomplishment and increasing self-esteem. The process of creating art also serves as a calming activity, reducing stress and anxiety for both children and caregivers, while encouraging mindfulness and self-exploration.
Cognitive and Motor Development
Expressive arts activities promote sensory stimulation and fine motor skill development, benefiting children with sensory processing challenges. Additionally, these activities enhance cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving, creativity, and memory retention.
Our Approach and Techniques
01Therapeutic Approach
In each session, the focus is on using art as a means of exploring and expressing emotions. The art-making process offers children opportunities to engage in problem-solving, self-regulation, and interpersonal connection. With the therapist’s guidance, children learn to cope with challenges such as perfectionism, anxiety, and frustration.
02Art as Problem-Solving
03Expression through Imagery
A notable moment in the programme occurred when one child shifted from depicting eyes in dark, oppressive forms to a more open and clear representation of eyes, reflecting an improved sense of perception and awareness.
04Collaborative Art
The group sessions foster collaboration. Children work together on shared art projects, learning to navigate interpersonal dynamics, negotiate space, and share materials. The group created a joint art piece titled ‘Os Fantasticos,’ showcasing the power of collective creativity and connection.
02030401“Lucas was a closed-off boy when it came to expressing his feelings, but thanks to art therapy, we can now often find him expressing himself through drawings. He loves this therapy; he’s always looking forward to the day ahead”
Parent of a beneficiary in the Expressive Arts Workshop
Our Locations
Estremoz
The Algarve
Lisbon
Our Team
One of the children, previously resistant to mistakes, learned to embrace the process of making errors as an opportunity for growth. This shift was especially important in his ability to communicate and share feelings with others”
Alexandra Bonder, Expressive Arts Workshop Lead.
MIB Portugal is designed to assist children from low-income families in Portugal.
Absolutely! We love having volunteers on board. You can help us with various programmes, support partner events and workshops.
We recruit our beneficiaries through our local community centres and schools. If you represent a school and centre and would like to partner with us, then we encourage you to get in touch by emailing artpt@sovereignartfoundation.com
We would love to hear from you. Please email artpt@sovereignartfoundation to chat with us.
We’re funded through a mix of grants, donations, community support and our professional arts prizes. Every contribution helps us keep our programmes running and accessible to those who need them. If you’re interested in supporting us, we’d be thrilled to chat about ways to contribute, or you can donate here.
We are experienced at working closely with businesses on corporate engagement programmes, including team-building workshops or community service initiatives. Please contact us to learn more.
