QUALIFIED TO RUN:
Xsara is very passionate about using the arts therapeutically to help disadvantaged youth communities and actively volunteers. She has previously been named a Care Leaver Ambassador by the Care Leaver’s Association as a role model to young people in care, has spoken at multiple conferences to looked after young people aged 14-18 exploring education, attended Houses of Commons to participate feedback on new policies being created for looked after children and is trained to host KidsTime workshops that use drama, creativity and therapeutic play to offer a space for children and their families affected by a parent or sibling with mental illness.
Xsara previously spent time running a project with an annual budget of £77,467 funded by BBC Children In Need providing support for isolated primary young carers (children who care for a relative or parent who suffer from either substance misuse, mental illness or physical disability) aged 5-15 years old by removing barriers from them accessing the arts and preventing inappropriate levels of caring. She has hosted art counselling sessions in schools with children from as young as five using a child-centred, integrative counselling approach and has also worked in residential children's homes. Xsara believes the arts can be used as a powerful therapeutic tool and opens up a way for child clients and youth to express their emotions.
For her postgraduate studies in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling at The University Of Cambridge , she presented a 30-minute presentation titled:
A Case Study Of Non-Directive Sessions With A Young Carer'
The presentation discussed whether young carers from five years old are able to communicate through the language of creative expression visuals in counselling sessions about a parent's mental illness and whether the metaphor of their art enables us an insight into their world where words may be limited. Xsara is passionate about the arts aiding neuroplasticity, changing attachment styles and healing trauma.
Xsara is a lecturer and was also the Course Leader for the Vocal Artist Diploma at Access Creative College, London, was a BAFTA Scholar, studied a Masters (MA) in TV Journalism/Filmmaking (Screen Documentary) at Goldsmiths College, University of London. She also studied a Postgraduate Certificate in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling at The University of Cambridge, an MMBE (Managing A Music Business Enterprise) at Music Business School, a BA Sociology degree at Goldsmiths College, University of London, a Millinery certificate at Kensington and Chelsea College, a Vocal and Music diploma at BIMM London and trained in CAF, Emergency First Aid and all CPD courses focused around child safety.
