Alex was referred to EdShift after witnessing domestic abuse towards their mum. Shortly after beginning support, Alex experienced the devastating loss of their mum through a drug overdose, adding another layer of grief to an already complex childhood.
When we first met, Alex appeared cheerful and was pleased to reconnect with their SpotLight Practitioner, but there were moments where they became quiet and reflective. It became clear that beneath the smile, Alex was carrying feelings that were difficult to put into words.
Art provided a way to explore those feelings safely.
One of the most significant pieces of artwork Alex created was a personalised “Solar System”, with each planet representing an important person in their life. Mum was painted as the largest planet, positioned slightly away from the others. When asked about this, Alex quietly explained, “Mum is gone, but she’s still here in a way.”
Over the following weeks, painting, collage and mask-making became ways of exploring memories, grief and the impact of domestic abuse. Some sessions were spent talking, while others were spent quietly creating. Both became equally important.
Towards the end of SpotLight, Alex created a memory box containing photographs, drawings and reminders of happy times with mum. It became something to treasure rather than something to avoid.
By the final session, Alex was able to speak more openly about their experiences and began talking positively about the future, including school, friendships and ambitions. Whilst grief remained part of their story, they had developed new ways of expressing difficult emotions and left SpotLight with greater confidence that they didn’t have to face them alone.