The Rotary Club of Eynsham & District has supported THE NOOK from its inception and continues to do so. It is an excellent example of Rotary funds and involvement being put to good use in local initiatives.
The Creative Nook CIC opened to students in September 2025. We offer one-to-one and very small-group therapeutic art and writing sessions for young people aged 7–18. We are open Monday to Friday, 10:00am–6:00pm during term time, and offer Nook Extras during the school holidays. The team consists of Ali, founder and therapeutic writing teacher, and Hannah, therapeutic art teacher. The Nook is a calm, nurturing space located downstairs from the café in Jessie’s Art Shed.
At the heart of The Nook is a therapeutic approach that uses art and creative writing as tools to support emotional wellbeing. Many of the young people we work with find it difficult to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. Through creative processes such as drawing, painting, storytelling and reflective writing, they are given a safe and accessible way to explore their emotions, experiences, and identity.
Creative activities can help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and build resilience. Writing can support young people in making sense of their experiences, while art provides a non-verbal outlet for feelings that may otherwise remain unspoken. Over time, this work helps to build confidence, self-awareness, and a stronger sense of self-belief.
As we approach our final term of this academic year, we find ourselves nearly at capacity. The majority of our students have stayed with us throughout the year, which has enabled us to build trusting, consistent relationships—an essential part of any therapeutic environment. Within these relationships, young people feel safe enough to take creative risks, develop new skills, and begin to see themselves in a more positive light.
Our students are referred by local schools and organisations working with young people, as well as by parents seeking therapeutic support in addition to, or instead of, school. Many of the young people we support experience anxiety, low confidence, or challenges within mainstream education, and benefit from a calm, alternative environment where they can feel heard, valued, and understood.
We are delighted to welcome so many incredible young people to The Nook each day, and we work hard to create projects that inspire them, nurture their creativity, and support them to flourish both emotionally and socially.
The feedback we have received from parents and carers has been incredibly encouraging:
“I don’t know what you do, but it’s life-changing. Thank you.”
“My daughter can’t wait to attend sessions … The Nook is a gem, and we’re so lucky to have it here in Eynsham.”
“Such a great place, great people, and a wonderful opportunity for children and young people to be part of something in the community.”
The support we have received to date from The Rotary Club of Eynsham & District has enabled us to fully resource The Nook with books, an iPad, and a wide range of art materials. We are incredibly grateful for this support, as it has helped us keep our session costs as low as possible. The ongoing financial donations have allowed us to keep our supplies well stocked, which in turn enables us to remain flexible, responsive, and creative in our sessions—ensuring that each young person receives a tailored experience that meets their individual needs.
Ali
Founder and therapeutic writing teacher
MSc, BEd, Certified Therapeutic Mentor
The Nook for Therapeutic Education
ali.thenook@gmail.com
The Nook website thenookoxfordshire.com
11b High Street, Eynsham, OX29 4HA
mobile: 07530 205193