Nurturing brighter futures for children across Oxfordshire
Just a short walk from the woodlands of Wittenham Clumps in the village of Little Wittenham, Clear Sky Children’s Charity is making a profound difference to the lives of children and families across Oxfordshire.
Founded in 2009 and registered as a charity the following year, Clear Sky’s mission is simple but vital: to ensure that every child in Oxfordshire can access good mental health care when they need it most. A small, dedicated team delivers this mission through play and creative arts therapy, helping children process difficult experiences in ways that feel safe, supportive, and empowering.
Supporting children through schools
Clear Sky works with around 45 Oxfordshire primary schools each year, providing one-to-one and group therapeutic support for children experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties.
Many of the children referred to Clear Sky have lived through traumatic life events, including bereavement, neglect, family breakdown, domestic abuse, parental substance misuse, or having a parent in prison. More recently, the charity has extended its work to support refugee and migrant children affected by conflict and displacement.
Using the power of play, Clear Sky’s fully qualified therapeutic team offers child-led sessions that help children explore their feelings, make sense of their experiences, and develop healthier ways of coping. These sessions take place in a playful, secure environment, allowing children to express themselves at their own pace and in their own way.
One school reflected on the impact of Clear Sky’s work:
“Play therapy has been transformational for some of our children and, for others, has supported them through very difficult situations. The children she has worked with would not be in the positive position they are now without her support.”
Demand for this work has grown significantly, with referrals trebling over the past five years. Clear Sky works hard to ensure that no child is turned away, responding flexibly to the growing need for mental health care in schools.
Training and support for professionals
Alongside its direct work with children, Clear Sky has expanded its professional training and support offer, helping schools and practitioners build confidence and skills in supporting children’s emotional wellbeing.
In September 2025, the charity launched its Emotionally Healthy Schools online platform. Nearly 50 schools are already using the platform, which enables teachers to develop therapeutic skills to support mental health across their whole school community. Resources include assemblies, classroom tools, a self-care hub, a research library, and an online community where staff can share ideas and experiences.
Clear Sky also offers Adult Child Attachment Play (ACAP) training for SEMH leads and pastoral staff. Launched in February 2026, this accredited CPD programme supports those with responsibility for emotional wellbeing to deepen their practice and enhance professional development.
For therapists and counsellors, Clear Sky runs the Institute for Play and Attachment, a global online CPD platform offering specialist modules, expert-led learning, and practical business and personal development tools.
The charity also delivers accredited Attachment Play training to organisations including the NHS, local authorities, and the UK’s largest teaching union, both online and in person. Each year, Clear Sky brings play professionals together through its annual conference, with this year’s event taking place on 11 April at Milton Hill House.
Working alongside families
Clear Sky’s work extends beyond schools into the wider family context. The charity offers free parenting resources and parent support groups, from early years through to the teenage stage. These groups are available across the UK and are designed to help parents feel supported, informed, and connected. Clear Sky also maintains a register of licensed parenting practitioners, helping families find trusted support locally.
Get involved
Clear Sky receives no statutory funding and relies on the generosity of funders and donors to continue its work. Schools, professionals, and supporters are encouraged to get in touch to learn more or support their work.
As CEO Anna Hodgson explains, with a central team of just three full-time equivalent staff, the charity is “very proud of what we achieve.”
To find out more about Clear Sky Children’s Charity, visit their website.
Through creativity, play, and compassion, Clear Sky continues to help children heal, grow, and move towards brighter futures.