The founder of an Oxford charity that uses art to improve children's self-esteem and independence said she was delighted that the new Duchess of Cambridge has agreed to be its patron.
The Art Room founder Juli Beattie found out last week that the Duchess, who married Prince William in April last year, was to take up the honorary position with the charity. It is one of the first four patronages that the Duchess, formerly Kate Middleton, has taken on since 2010's royal wedding.
The Art Room works with children who are not in mainstream education, are disruptive or have been excluded from school. Youngsters are taught life skills through art and encouraged to engage and relate with each other.
The charity, which is based at Rose Hill Primary School, in Oxford, but also works in north London, employs trained psychotherapists, artists, teachers and social workers. Juli Beattie, who is also a director of the charity, said: “On behalf of all of our Trustees and staff and the children and young people we support, I want to thank the Duchess for choosing The Art Room.
"It is a fantastic endorsement of the work we do and the role that art and creativity can play in helping children and young people whose start in life has been difficult.”
The Duchess has also become a patron of Action on Addiction, a national charity that operates four drug treatment centres in Dorset, London, Merseyside and Wiltshire, East Anglia Children's Hospices, and the National Portrait Gallery. A spokesperson said the Duchess began research into charities she could work with in September last year, holding meeting's at St James's Palace and going on private visits to different sites. She is expected to make a number of private and public visits over the coming months to the various groups she has become involved with.
"The Duchess’s first patronages and her volunteer position reflect Her Royal Highness’s personal interests in the arts, the promotion of outdoor activity, and supporting people who are in need of all ages, especially young children," the spokesperson said. "The Duchess has chosen to support organisations that complement the charitable work already undertaken by her husband. Each of the organisations chosen plays a leading role in its sphere either nationally or in local communities."
In addition, the Duchess, who turned 30 recently, is to start volunteering with Scout groups in north Wales and other parts of the UK when her diary permits.
