Building Blocks of Resilience - LEGO Therapy for Black Boys in Lambeth
From "THINC Fund Large Projects (£25,000-£50,000)"
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Building Blocks of Resilience LEGO Therapy is a pilot programme designed specifically for Black boys aged 11–16 in Lambeth who are at risk of school exclusion or disengagement. Through therapeutic play, the programme will support participants’ emotional wellbeing, social skills, and self-confidence, while offering a culturally affirming and trauma-informed environment.
Each week, 10–12 participants will engage in 2 x 2-hour group sessions per week facilitated by trained youth practitioners and therapeutic mentors. The sessions will combine LEGO-based activities with reflective discussions and creative exercises to promote emotional regulation, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-expression.
The project will culminate in a group showcase, where participants can share what they have built and learned, promoting pride, achievement, and visibility for Black boys in positive spaces.
The project is designed for Black boys in Lambeth aged 10–16, particularly those attending or recently excluded from secondary schools. This group is disproportionately affected by school exclusions, unmet mental health needs, and limited access to therapeutic interventions that feel culturally safe and relevant.
By providing a non-stigmatising, creative approach to therapy, the programme will also engage boys who might otherwise reject traditional support services. The project will collaborate with schools, youth organisations, and community partners to reach those most in need.
The Building Blocks of Resilience pilot will make a meaningful difference by:
- Improving emotional wellbeing through play-based therapeutic support.
- Building communication and teamwork skills, essential for classroom and peer success.
- Increasing confidence and self-esteem, particularly around identity and belonging.
- Reducing stigma associated with therapy among Black boys.
- Preventing escalation into exclusion, violence, or disconnection from education and community life.
Long-term, the programme will strengthen resilience and social cohesion, helping young people develop healthier coping mechanisms and envision brighter futures.
£50,000 will enable Juvenis to pilot an innovative and inclusive model of therapeutic support that meets the needs of a group too often overlooked in mainstream provision. It will cover facilitator costs, materials, and venue hire to deliver a high-quality, consistent intervention.
This pilot will also build local capacity, training facilitators and partners in culturally competent, creative therapeutic practice. The learning and evaluation from this pilot will inform future borough-wide interventions, ensuring sustainable impact for more Black boys across Lambeth.
Juvenis has a strong track record of delivering therapeutic and educational programmes for vulnerable young people in Lambeth, including those facing exclusion, trauma, and systemic disadvantage. Our work is grounded in trauma-informed practice, creativity, and lived experience, with proven outcomes in engagement, wellbeing, and re-entry into education.
LEGO Therapy is an evidence-based approach shown to enhance communication, collaboration, and emotional regulation particularly effective with neurodiverse or hard-to-reach youth. Combined with Juvenis’ culturally sensitive delivery, this pilot will create a safe, affirming, and empowering space for Black boys to thrive.
This pilot will serve as a proof of concept for scaling LEGO Therapy across Lambeth schools and community settings. Each participant will receive a certificate of achievement and be offered pathways into other Juvenis programmes for ongoing personal growth, leadership, and mentorship ensuring the impact continues well beyond the pilot.