Workshops: Art workshops, Art in English for children. Art Therapy sessions.

Art workshops with refugees . I started art workshops with refugees when I was working at the British Council Hong Kong. The British Council gave the space and Christian Action supplied the materials. A group of refugees came every Friday afternoon. At first the group fluctuated but after a few weeks , I had a solid group who came every week. They were from Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Togo and Ethiopia. They were generous people with little or no experience of art materials but with much enthusiasm. At first I suggested ideas to them while trying to vary the choice of materials as much as possible. I gave practical examples and support but I wanted to help them gain confidence in their own creative ideas an to find a way for them to express themselves.

During the sessions we chatted and listened to music from their home countries. They told me about their lives before being refugees and their hopes for the future . They are strong and resourceful people but obviously being separated from families, culture and not being able to work in Hong Kong they also carried some frustration and sadness. The art sessions offered a place to be, a group of friends and a creative process supported by the group. The workshops lasted one year, culminating in an exhibition and a workshop to make a collaborative piece of work with local Hong Kong residents , based on the wave painting by Hokusai. The exhibition gave the refugees a chance to meet local people and foreigners and tell them about their situation as well as having their work on show and feeling respected and esteemed. It was wonderful to be part of this experience and I feel very lucky to have met them.

The refugees average wait for asylum is eight years. During this time they are not allowed to work and many are made examples of with fines or prison for doing so. Many of them come escaping danger and in some cases they are following the news as their home towns are destroyed , unable to make contact with their families. English through art for children and adults.

I give Art in English classes for children between four and thirteen. Art gives children an opportunity to extend their fluency through peer learning.While doing something they love doing they are more focused and learn to share and emulate. This combination is very good for teenagers who are demotivated in certain areas at school. It also allows them to develop their self expression and interests in culture and communication. 

 In early years children tend to be less inhibited and more curious allowing them to learn at a good pace while they enjoy making art.Parents can join in Art and craft activities making activities more memorable. Art and storytelling are fine combinations to really bring language to life.

I am elderly people and people with learning difficulties. Art therapy sessions. The group are given support and encouragement to develop their own work . Mostly painting , some drawing and a lot of silence followed by talking in groups and one to one about their art work and other topics, often memories or feelings. Art therapy helps children or adults work through problems and can take place in a group or one to one with me as the therapist. It is a slow therapeutic journey because the art works guide the discussion so that we may be working with unresolved issues and feelings which take time to unpack.