Project 2018 - 2019 "Colours from the people"

Project “Colours from the people” granted (£9,932) by the Awards For All, Big Lottery Fund, to help educate asylum seekers about British values and culture by looking at the most expressive aspect and medium of our society which is art.

Project will help asylum seekers and refugees to come together with local people in an art environment. This will help to break down barriers and create confidence in building social relationships. The project will impact on their overall wellbeing and mental healing from any traumatic experience they have suffered. It will help to build positive relationships with the host community and overcome negative stereotypes so that they can feel valued and respected and participate in local community life. More asylum seekers are interested to join our art activities but are put off because of the distance from their house to our art classes. This project will help them by reimbursing travel costs to get out of the house and enjoy the company of others who are in a similar position to them. The project will consist of a programme of art workshops for asylum seekers and local people that will each comprise weekly sessions of 3 hours duration from 2018 to 2019. Activities will be held every Thursday at 13.00-16.00 at Holy Cross Centre, 45 Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HW. The project will finish with an exhibition - "Colours from the People" where participants' art works are displayed for two weeks. An opening event will be attended by all the project participants, close family and friends who will be encouraged to talk about their experience and art works. Refreshments will be provided with food representing the different countries that the participants are from.