Hello and welcome to the Emerging homepage - a new free support and art therapy group for 14-17 year olds in Nottingham and surrounding areas. Our group will be exploring issues to do with identity, belonging, safety and being a young LGBTQ+ person.
Spaces are extremely limited, so if you'd like to join us, please fill in this form and one of our friendly team members will be in touch to arrange an assessment with you.
FAQ
What is Art Therapy?
An art therapy support group is a safe, relaxed space where young people come together to express themselves through creativity. You don’t need to be “good” at art—it's not about skill, but about using things like drawing, painting, or collage to explore your thoughts and feelings.
In the group, a trained facilitator helps guide activities and conversations. Sometimes you might create art based on a theme (like emotions, identity, or stress), and other times you can just make whatever feels right. You can choose to share your artwork and talk about it, but there’s no pressure if you’d rather keep it private.
It’s also a place to connect with others your age who might be going through similar experiences. Everyone is encouraged to be respectful and supportive, so it feels safe to be yourself. Overall, it’s about finding new ways to understand your feelings, relax, and feel less alone.
Do my parents need to know that I'm joining the Emerging Support Group?
We need to determine the policy here.
Does the group cost anything?
No, the 8 week course is completely free for you to attend.
Do I need to come to all the sessions
It would be great if you could attend all the sessions; however, we know that things can crop up and that it might not be possible to commit to all sessions. Please let our counsellors know if you are unable to attend all the sessions.
Who is running the support group?
Emerging is a joint collaboration between Base 51 and PrideSpace. The two facilitators are Elaine and Jake. Elaine is an art therapist registered with the HCPP and Jake is a registered counsellor with the BACP. Together, they bring lots of experience in therapy and LGBTQ+ issues.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Just yourself, everything you need will be provided.
Do I need to join in the discussions?
An important part of group support is being active in discussions, both listening and talking, but you don't need to share anything with the group that would make you uncomfortable.
Do I need to share anything I don't want to with the group?
No, if there's something you'd rather not talk about, you don't need to share it.
Where will this take place?
Our group will take place on Thursdays at 5:30 PM until 7.00 PM at The Pride Shop on Maid Marian Way. Full details will be provided to you before we start. The room that we will be using is located on the first floor - and unfortunately there are no lifts, however we're keen to explore ways to make the group accessible, so let us know what you might need to take part in the group.
What will happen in the assessment?
Our assessment is an informal chat with either Elaine or Jake - it's a way for us to get to know a little bit about you and what your needs are. We'll ask a few questions about what's going on for you at the moment. What you tell us is confidential, and you don't have to tell us things that you're not comfortable with. We'll go at your pace. It's also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you may have.