This unforgettable day brought together graduates of the Breathe Magic Intensive Therapy Programme (BMITP), giving them the chance to reconnect, share their experiences, and, of course, immerse themselves in the wonder of magic once again.
We were joined by Young Magicians from across the years, from 2010 through to 2024, with some even bringing their own children to the event!
Breathe Magic at The Magic Circle. 18.2.25 ©Richard Eaton
What is the Breathe Magic Intensive Therapy Programme (BMITP)?
For those unfamiliar, BMITP is an innovative intervention that incorporates specially selected magic tricks that provoke specific two-handed actions, performance and problem-solving skills into an intensive bimanual and goal-oriented therapy programme for young people with hemiplegia, since 2008.
Grounded in world-class medical research, this award-winning approach gives young people access to over 60 hours of bimanual intensive therapy and transforms them into young magicians. Highly specialist occupational therapists work alongside Magic Circle magicians to provide therapy in a group setting with one-to-one support, delivering interventions tailored to suit each young person’s particular strengths and needs.
And it works. Research shows that depending on initial abilities, between 75% and 92% of children who take part experience clinically significant improvements in hand function after the programme. But the impact goes beyond the physical – by learning high-quality magic and performance skills in a fun & safe environment, young people improve their pyschosocial skills such as building confidence, self-esteem and emotional wellbeing.
