SAF’s Make It Better (MIB) programme inspiring children in Portugal
The Sovereign Art Foundation has been busy building relationships and developing projects since the launch of its Make It Better (MIB) programme in Portugal in 2021. It started by offering a series of expressive arts therapy workshops across the country to support children from low-income backgrounds and those with special needs. Thanks to generous support from donors and community contributions, this programme continues to expand its reach this summer.
The MIB team has established a network of partnerships with local charitable and cultural organisations across Portugal. In Lisbon, it is working with Crescer Ser, a charity focused on delivering community services for children, young people, and families. Daniela Martins, an art therapist on the MIB team, is leading ongoing expressive arts therapy sessions with their beneficiaries. Another Lisbon-based neighborhood association partner, Dona Ajuda, has generously provided space for community art workshops.
In the Algarve, a new collaboration with Casa da Cultura de Loulé, a non-profit cultural and youth association, extends the programme’s reach into southern Portugal, where therapist Leonor Isidoro will lead a series of expressive arts sessions. The MIB team has also been running a series of community artist-led workshops alongside its existing art therapy programme in Estremoz, further strengthening local engagement and support.
The commitment of the MIB Portugal team has been instrumental in establishing these partnerships and ensuring the success of the workshops. “Sovereign provides an excellent environment for children who need support to grow healthier and more creative, and I feel that my work is valuable,” said art therapist Daniela.
The team strives to create a supportive environment that allows children to thrive and access valuable therapeutic benefits. By creating a safe space for disadvantaged children to express themselves through art and offering these sessions free of charge, the dedicated efforts of the MIB team continue to make a positive impact.
“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,” said one parent.
Lucas is just one of many beneficiaries touched by the positive benefits of the MIB programme. With such inspiring stories, the MIB team is set to continue collaborating with schools and conducting community-led workshops in Estremoz, Lisbon and the Algarve over the upcoming months.
As the MIB programme expands its outreach and impact, it is essential to recognise that this progress has been made possible by the collective effort of donors, art therapists and community contributions. Donations help sustain and grow these invaluable programmes, ensuring that more children, like Lucas, can access the therapeutic benefits of art.
