Beats, Exercise, Art, ADHD & Nutrition Study
BEAANS
Principal Investigator: Dr Rachel Gow
Co-Investigator: Associate Professor Dr Simon Dyall
In Collaboration with: The University of Roehampton
Supported by: The Waterloo Foundation
Vision and Mission
The BEAANS Study is a creative, nutritional and physical activity programme with a supported mentoring and follow-up phase. It has been designed as a preventative, early-intervention project for children and young people aged 10–15 with ADHD and/or other neurodivergent needs who may be experiencing challenges with school engagement. The programme is particularly intended for children and young people who may be:
AT RISK OF SCHOOL DISENGAGEMENT
RECEIVING REPEATED DETENTIONS, REFERRALS OR FIXED-TERM EXCLUSIONS
LIVING WITH, OR SHOWING SIGNS OF, ADHD, LEVEL 1 AUTISM, DYSLEXIA OR OTHER NEURODIVERGENT DIFFERENCES
EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES WITH CONFIDENCE, EMOTIONAL REGULATION, BEHAVIOUR, LEARNING OR A SENSE OF BELONGING AT SCHOOL
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Creative Electives
BEAANS was developed in recognition of the link between neurodivergence and creativity, particularly in music and the arts. Many neurodivergent children and young people are drawn to creative expression, which can provide an important outlet for processing emotions, building confidence and developing a stronger sense of identity and belonging.
Young people with ADHD, dyslexia and other neurodivergent differences may be bright, imaginative and highly creative while still finding aspects of traditional academic learning challenging. Creative activities such as music, art and film can provide alternative ways to engage, communicate and succeed. Alongside this, nutrition and physical activity can support brain function, emotional regulation, energy and mood, helping to create a more balanced foundation for learning and wellbeing.
A Closer Look at Nutrition
The BEAANS Nutrition Elective provides children with practical, evidence-based education on the relationship between food, brain health and ADHD. Designed by Dr Rachel Gow, children will receive nutritionally balanced meals, including breakfast and lunch, to support cognitive function, mood and overall wellbeing.
Nutrition education will be delivered through engaging, easy-to-understand resources combining illustrations with scientific insight to help children understand how food can influence their brain, behaviour and everyday functioning. Mealtimes will be communal and, where possible, held outdoors to encourage connection, enjoyment and positive experiences around food.
Children will also receive omega-3 and multivitamin supplementation as part of the programme, alongside a longer-term supply to support continued progress. Research assessments will explore areas including omega-3 status, mood, ADHD-related symptoms and teacher feedback. These findings will contribute to the wider BEAANS research study, with the aim of improving understanding of the relationship between nutrition, brain health and neurodivergence
A Closer Look at Exercise
The BEAANS Exercise Elective introduces children to the physical and psychological benefits of movement through structured, enjoyable activity. Led by Sports Psychologist Dr Abbe Brady, the sessions are designed to build confidence, teamwork and a positive relationship with exercise, while ensuring that children feel supported regardless of ability or previous experience.
Children will take part in a variety of activities, which may include padel, athletics, yoga and nature walks, offering a balance of higher-energy and more restorative experiences. The programme focuses on inclusivity and engagement so that physical activity feels accessible, enjoyable and achievable for every child.
The elective also highlights the role of physical activity in supporting brain health, emotional regulation and cognitive function. By introducing routine and enjoyment into movement, the aim is to help children develop sustainable habits that can continue beyond the BEAANS programme, supporting longer-term wellbeing, resilience and healthy development.
A Closer Look at Art
The BEAANS Art Elective provides a therapeutic and expressive space for neurodivergent children to explore identity, emotion, and creativity through visual art. Guided by professional artists including Hayley Bassinet (former Kid’s Company), celebrated abstract portrait artist Charlotte Archer, Sidonie Knight (fine art), and a wider creative team, children will be supported in a nurturing, calm environment designed to promote safety and self-expression.
Participants will explore a range of artistic styles, from oil painting and collage to graffiti, creating unique self-portraits that visually represent neurodiversity. A central theme will involve the top of the head revealing a curated “brain”, allowing children to express how they think, feel, and experience the world. With calming background music to soothe the nervous system, this elective supports children experiencing education-related stress, helping them regulate emotions, build confidence, and begin to rewire patterns through creative, therapeutic engagement.
A Closer Look at Music
The BEAANS Music Elective will offer a hands-on introduction to music production, designed to engage neurodivergent children and young people through creativity, self-expression and practical skill development. Participants will have the opportunity to explore how a track is created from start to finish, including elements such as mixing, editing, sampling, lyric writing, vocal performance and MC techniques.
The music component will be led by Matt “Jam” Lamont, with additional support and creative input potentially coming from established artists and industry professionals such as Jumpin Jack Frost, MC GQ, MC Creed, Danny Blaze, Eddie Wideboys and Deemas J. The programme may also include inspirational guest or drop-in sessions from artists such as DJ Archie, Lisa Maffia and Mollie Collins, who may share aspects of their own creative journeys, career pathways and experiences within the music industry. The elective is intended to culminate in the collaborative creation of an original track, giving participants the opportunity to contribute ideas, develop confidence and experience the creative process as part of a team.
This pilot aims to explore the relationship between ADHD, neurodivergence and creative engagement through music, while helping young people develop practical skills, confidence and a stronger sense of connection and achievement. The longer-term ambition is to develop the BEAANS model further and, subject to funding and evaluation, expand delivery more widely across the UK.
A Closer Look at Film
The BEAANS Film Elective offers an engaging introduction to filmmaking, providing neurodivergent children with the opportunity to explore storytelling, creativity, and communication through film. Led by Rodney Lewis, a sought-after videographer, and Andy Gray, a former BBC cameraman, the programme draws on extensive industry experience to deliver a hands-on, supportive learning environment.
Participants will develop practical skills both in front of and behind the camera, including filming techniques, interviewing, presenting, and storyboard creation. Children will have the opportunity to explore different roles, building confidence, collaboration, and technical ability. The elective will culminate in the co-creation of a short documentary film capturing BEAANS in action. The film will also highlight the links between film, ADHD, dyslexia, and neurodivergence, while showcasing the importance of preventative, grassroots community interventions in reducing school disengagement, exclusions, and the “playground to prison pipeline”, promoting positive, future-focused pathways.
A Closer Look at Mentoring
The BEAANS Mentoring Elective provides each child with a dedicated personal mentor, offering consistent one-to-one support throughout the five-day programme. Mentors will engage with children during group activities and facilitate individual “walk and talk” sessions, creating a safe, supportive space to build trust, connection, and open communication.
Mentors are carefully selected to be relatable role models, with an understanding of neurodivergence and the challenges young people may face. This enables children to feel seen, understood, and supported in a meaningful way. The mentoring programme is designed to help children express their thoughts and emotions, develop self-awareness, and build emotional regulation skills within a nurturing environment.
Support will continue beyond the BEAANS programme through bi-weekly check-ins until the end of November, ensuring continuity and reinforcement of progress. This extended mentorship aims to promote resilience, confidence, and a sustained sense of stability beyond the programme.
Sponsorship Packages
Platinum
Helps fund the core components of BEAANS including documentary, specialist creative staff,and core programme delivery, including music, film and art electives.
Gold
Contributes to two meals per day, nutritional education, exercise, and staff costs to support brain health and wellbeing.
Silver
Contributes to mentoring, workshop delivery, and equipment.
Support BEAANS
Thank you for supporting BEAANS. Our aim is to publish this model and our research findings so that other non-profit organisations can deliver BEAANS programmes across communities throughout the UK. Together, we can highlight the vital role of creative, community-based interventions in supporting neurodivergent children, who are disproportionately at risk of poor mental health, school exclusion, and long-term disadvantage. Your support is helping us drive meaningful change and create more inclusive, supportive pathways for future generations.