Our Story

Latimer Community Art Therapy (LCAT) was formed as a response to the tragedy at Grenfell Tower by Susan Rudnik, an art psychotherapist and also a local resident of the Henry Dickens estate. It grew organically from the Henry Dickens Centre to meet the emotional and therapeutic needs of the community.

The art therapy service began on the 17th of June at the Community Centre on the Henry Dickens estate, this was the first therapeutic space to open in the area. With the help and support of local residents donations were cleared and an art therapy room made possible. Art Therapists held a space for the young people in the centre, as some art therapists went out on the street and facilitated an outdoor space on Walmer Road where teenagers spontaneously and collectively made a memorial. This initial work in the community held some of the immediate raw and painful feelings and became the building blocks of the LCAT service we now have.

Throughout this early stage the therapeutic spaces were kept confidential, protected from public and press intrusion and the artwork made in private sessions was not on public display. These important boundaries in art therapy allowed for a safe space to develop and be trusted in the community.

Within just two weeks Susan had arranged for art psychotherapists to go into nine schools. This is now a commissioned service which has grown, offering accessible mental health support to the wider community. The work at Henry Dickens (HD) has developed as the community needs have grown and this is now a thriving service for adults, families, children and young people, providing a safe space, educational, creative and physical activities underpinned with a therapeutic ethos and run concurrently with access to the art psychotherapy services. Additional wellbeing activities, adult coffee mornings and community events have also been developed in response to the community needs. The co-working and shared thinking between professionals at Henry Dickens allow for a holistic multidisciplinary approach when working with vulnerable people.

Mission Statement

Latimer Community Art Therapy CIC (LCAT) is a grassroots community organisation offering professional mental health support through art psychotherapy as well as creative, educational and sports activities, to support physical, social and emotional development. Always with the aim to provide an inclusive, safe and inspirational space for the community

Operational Team

The

Susan Rudnik

Founder and Director

Susan Rudnik is a state registered Art Psychotherapist and clinical supervisor and a local resident. Since qualification in 2006 Susan has specialised in working with children and adolescents working within the NHS, schools and in private practice. Susan is a Lecturer on the MA Art Psychotherapy at Goldsmiths and a member of APPG (Art Psychotherapy Practice Group). Susan currently works within Paediatrics at Chelsea and Westminster hospital.

Lucy Knight

Director & Henry Dickens Management

Lucy is part of the management team at the Henry Dickens Community Centre and the HD kids club. Loves a coffee.

Holly Caldecourt

Art Psychotherapist & Schools Lead

Holly Caldecourt is an Art Psychotherapist with a vast experience of working with community groups across all ages with a focus on the arts and mental health. She is currently the lead of the LCAT Art Therapy schools service working across a number of primary schools in North Kensington. Holly is the Art Therapist for Colville Primary School and also provides outreach sessions. As well as her work for LCAT she supports new and emerging artists with an accessible gallery space in east London.

Anne Ginsberg

Too much to sum up!

Hi I am Auntie Anne and I welcome the children and their accompanying Adult, when they enter the centre (as well as making delicious toast).

Osei Pola-Samuels

Youth Community Lead

osei.pola-samuels@lcat.org.uk

Information for Professionals

Art psychotherapy is suitable for all ages and our therapists are fully qualified to Masters level.  Referrals can be made for a range of mental health and emotional issues requiring  psychological support, such as depression, anxiety, bereavement, complex loss, trauma (including early childhood trauma), domestic abuse, attachment issues.

We receive referrals from CAMHS, social services, health visitors, GPs and other primary care workers.

To make a referral please download this form and return to referral@lcat.org.uk for any further information please contact susan.rudnik@lcat.org.uk